Celebrating Generosity, Honoring Community Impact
At the Celebration of Philanthropy, we honor the people and organizations whose generosity and impact are building a stronger, more connected community.
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At the Celebration of Philanthropy, we honor the people and organizations whose generosity and impact are building a stronger, more connected community.
From launching a national walking group to support patient health to advancing learning opportunities for central Ohio’s youth, this issue of NEXUS highlights the latest happenings at The Columbus Foundation.
A small act of kindness can have a big impact. Help local individuals and families overcome unexpected hardships by supporting the Gifts of Kindness Fund.
Search by name or browse by category to find more than 1,200 area nonprofit organizations to support.
Since 2016, thousands of central Ohioans have gathered for a day of community-wide conversation. Whether you're hosting a table or joining a public conversation, your voice helps build a kinder, more connected region where everyone has a seat at the table.
Mark your calendar and learn more at columbusfoundation.org/thebigtable.
LEARN MOREThe Harrison M. Sayre Award – 2025 Honorees
The Edwards Family
Given in honor of Harrison M. Sayre, The Columbus Foundation’s founder and 25-year volunteer director, The Harrison M. Sayre Award recognizes leadership in philanthropy in central Ohio.
In recognition of their many contributions to the Columbus region and their exceptional leadership, the Edwards Family has been selected as the 2025 honorees of The Harrison M. Sayre Award. As a family of builders, dreamers, and doers, the Edwardses have brought new development, character, and opportunity to central Ohio.
Created in 1986, The Columbus Foundation Award recognizes organizations that have made a difference in the quality of life in our community.
In recognition of the important role the organization plays in anchoring central Ohio’s arts sector and its innovative work to inspire the community through music, ProMusica has been selected as the 2025 honoree of The Columbus Foundation Award. As part of the award, ProMusica will receive a $100,000 unrestricted grant from The Columbus Foundation.
A legendary jazz musician, Rahsaan Roland Kirk delighted audiences with his legendary ability to play several horns at once, often harmonizing with himself.
He knew his purpose in life was to be creative and to make music,” explained Marchbanks. “His philosophy was that music brings people together. Music is a healing force in the universe.”
Created in 2019, Columbus’ True Originals celebrates those in our community who expand the horizons of Columbus through groundbreaking, original work.
READ MORERecently named a Columbus True Original, Bill Willis was the first Black starter in professional football and, alongside teammate Marion Motley, is widely credited for helping to break the sport’s color barrier. In 1977, because of his impressive skill and enduring impact on the game, Willis was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Today, Willis is celebrated for his accomplishments both on and off the field. After retiring from the NFL, Willis served as the Director of the Ohio Youth Commission, a state agency dedicated to combatting criminality among young people.
His legacy—as a husband, father, professional athlete, and community leader—remains an inspiration, demonstrating the power of perseverance, hard work, and service to others.
“People would ask us, ‘Did we want to play football, to be like him?’” Willis’ oldest son, Bill Willis, Jr., told The New York Times in 2020. “Well, we wanted to be like the man he was.”
Created in 2019, Columbus’ True Originals celebrates those in our community who expand the horizons of Columbus through groundbreaking, original work.
A world-renowned visual artist and 2025 Columbus True Original, Ann Hamilton’s art may best be described as a multi-sensory experience that is tactile, immersive, and ephemeral.
Hamilton’s influence on the visual arts cannot be overstated, nor can her creativity or originality. As she poignantly stated, “One doesn’t arrive—in words or in art—by necessarily knowing where one is going. In every work of art something appears that does not previously exist, and so, by default, you work from what you know to what you don’t know. You may set out for New York, but you may find yourself as I did in Ohio.”
Created in 2019, Columbus’ True Originals celebrates those in our community who expand the horizons of Columbus through groundbreaking, original work.
READ MORELong before Amazon, Facebook, and Google became household names, Jeff Wilkins entered an unassuming building at 1387 W 5th Avenue in Upper Arlington to launch CompuServe, a computer time-sharing service.
Equipped with little more than a folding chair and a phone book, Wilkins would go on to successfully help build a company that would fundamentally transform the way people connect and share information online.
Created in 2019, Columbus’ True Originals celebrates those in our community who expand the horizons of Columbus through groundbreaking, original work.
READ MOREA world-renowned visual artist, a legendary jazz musician, a pioneering tech entrepreneur, and a trailblazing professional football player were all recognized as Columbus’ True Originals today at The Columbus Foundation. Created in 2019, Columbus’ True Originals celebrates those in our community who expand the horizons of Columbus through groundbreaking, original work.
This year, The Columbus Foundation is honoring the extraordinary talents and contributions of:
Ann Hamilton, oeuvre of multi-disciplinary & artistic innovation
Rahsaan Roland Kirk, renowned multi-instrumental artist
Jeff Wilkins, co-founder and former president of CompuServe
Bill Willis, professional football player and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee
From launching a national walking group to support patient health to advancing learning opportunities for central Ohio’s youth, this issue of NEXUS highlights the latest happenings at The Columbus Foundation.