OUR AWARDS
Harrison M. Sayre Award
The Harrison M. Sayre Award, given in honor of the Foundation’s founder and 25-year volunteer director, recognizes leadership in philanthropy in central Ohio. As Mr. Sayre so well stated, “the best way to extend your life is to give to the community.”
The Columbus Foundation Award
Created in 1986, The Columbus Foundation Award recognizes organizations that have made a difference in the quality of life in our community.
Leadership in Philanthropy Award
Established in 2011, the Leadership in Philanthropy Award of Community Foundations, Inc. is awarded periodically to recognize outstanding philanthropic contributions to communities beyond central Ohio.
The Spirit of Columbus Award
Created to recognize individuals who have exhibited an exemplary community spirit through their accomplishments, this award, also known as The Jerries, represents the true spirit of our community. In 2013, Jerrie Mock was named the first honoree for her trailblazing spirit.
Acorn Award
5 Nonprofits to Watch
The '5 Nonprofits to Watch' platform debuted in 2014 as a program to celebrate local nonprofit organizations that offer critical services in our community and are poised for an exceptional year of growth and progress.
PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS
| 2024 | Mary E. "Betsy" Rueb |
| 2023 | Renée and Dwight Smith |
| 2022 | Donna and Larry James |
| 2021 | Tom and Nancy Lurie |
| 2020 | Catherine Willis |
| 2019 | Joseph and Linda Chlapaty |
| 2018 | Founders of The Women's Fund of Central Ohio |
| 2017 | David and Mo Meuse |
| 2016 | American Electric Power and American Electric Power Foundation |
| 2015 | Don and Nancy Kelley and Family |
| 2014 | The Crane Family |
| 2013 | Robert Jr. and Mary Lazarus |
| 2012 | Bob and Missy Weiler |
| 2011 | Bob and Peggy Walter |
| 2010 | Limited Brands, Inc. and the L Brands Foundation |
| 2009 | Barbara and Al Siemer |
| 2008 | Ann I. Wolfe and John F. Wolfe |
| 2007 | Richard J. Solove |
| 2006 | Don and Thekla Reese Shackelford |
| 2001 | Maj. Gen. Raymond E. Mason, Jr. AUS (ret.) and Margaret E. Mason |
| 2000 | John H. McConnell |
| 1999 | Elizabeth M. Ross; Shirle N. Westwater; John G. McCoy |
| 1998 | John B. (Bernie) Gerlach |
| 1997 | Battelle |
| 1995 | Leslie H. Wexner |
| 1994 | Ingram-White Castle Family |
| 1993 | Early Donors: |
| Olga Anna Jones | |
| Preston Davis | |
| H. Russell Culp | |
| Robert W. Stevenson | |
| 1992 | Robert S. Crane, Jr.; Walter English |
| 1991 | Nationwide Insurance Companies |
| 1990 | Richard Heer Oman |
| 2024 | The Center for Healthy Families |
| 2023 | Jewish Family Services |
| 2022 | Directions for Youth and Families |
| 2021 | IMPACT Community Action |
| 2020 | Human Service Chamber of Franklin County and Michael Corey, Executive Director |
| 2019 | Alvis, Inc. |
| 2018 | Community Development for All People and Rev. John Edgar, Executive Director |
| 2017 | Lutheran Social Services |
| 2016 | Columbus Museum of Art |
| 2015 | Goodwill Columbus |
| 2014 | Wexner Center for the Arts |
| 2013 | Furniture Bank of Central Ohio |
| 2012 | Habitat for Humanity—MidOhio |
| 2011 | Jazz Arts Group of Columbus |
| 2010 | Mid-Ohio Foodbank |
| 2009 | Franklin Park Conservatory |
| 2008 | Columbus Housing Partnership |
| 2007 | LifeCare Alliance and its Volunteers |
| 2006 | Maryhaven and Paul H. Coleman |
| 2005 | Columbus Metropolitan Library |
| 2004 | Virginia O’Keefe and Amethyst, Inc. |
| 2002 | YMCA of Central Ohio, Volunteers, and Staff |
| 2001 | Jimmy Crum and Recreation Unlimited |
| 2000 | Early Leaders of the YWCA, Karen Schwarzwalder, and the YWCA of Columbus |
| 1999 | Cee Cullman and Action for Children |
| 1998 | Volunteers Who Saved the Ohio Theatre, Doug Kridler, and the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) |
| 1997 | Leslie A. Bostic, Buckeye Ranch Service Board, and The Buckeye Ranch |
| 1995 | Nancy Jeffrey, Melvin L. Schottenstein, and the Community Shelter Board |
| 1994 | Sister Mary Andrew Matesich, O.P. and Ohio Dominican College; Arthur G. James, M.D., and The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Research Institute at The Ohio State University |
| 1993 | Children’s Hospital Early Leaders: F.O. Schoedinger, Dr. Earl Hayes Baxter, Ms. Truitt (Daisy) Sellers |
| 1993 | Contemporary Leaders: Ann I. Wolfe, Dr. Grant Morrow, Stuart W. Williams |
| 1992 | United Way of Franklin County, Inc. and the People of Franklin County |
| 1991 | Thekla R. Shackelford, Arthur J. Kobacker, and I KNOW I CAN |
| 1990 | Melvin B. Dodge, Jack Hanna, and Columbus Zoological Park Association |
| 1987 | Fran Haskins, Operation Feed, and Nationwide Insurance Companies |
| 1986 | Sanford N. Hallock II, Walter English, and Center Of Science and Industry |
| 2023 | Dr. Frederic Bertley |
| 2022 | Joanna M. Pinkerton + COTA |
| 2021 | Roshelle Pate |
| 2020 | Dr. Amy Acton |
| 2019 | Save The Crew |
| 2018 | Suzan Bradford, Queen Brooks, Duarte Brown, William Evans, Corey Favor, Sheri Neale, Marshall Shorts, Cristyn Steward, Carnell Willoughby and Scott Woods |
| 2017 | Michelle Alexander |
| 2016 | Tanny Crane and Jane Grote Abell |
| 2015 | Mayor Michael B. Coleman |
| 2014 | Denny Griffith |
| 2013 | Jeni Britton Bauer and David Brown |
| Inaugural Honoree: Jerrie Mock |
| 2017 | Louise (Omie) Warner, M.D., and Clyde W. Gosnell, Jr. |
| 2016 | Patricia Duke Robinson |
| 2013 | John D. and Jane Kidd |
| 2012 | Founding Board of the Pickaway County Community Foundation |
| 2011 | Evan and Elizabeth Davis |