Donate to the Gifts of Kindness Fund to see your dollars doubled!
For many in our community, a single financial hardship can set into motion a series of events that can create negative long-term consequences. The Gifts of Kindness Fund provides an immediate financial boost to prevent one difficult moment from limiting a lifetime of opportunities.
Gifts of Kindness was established in 2014 with a generous gift of $500,000 from a donor who is passionate about helping others and spreading kindness. The goal is not only to provide financial support, but also to illustrate how acts of kindness throughout our community make a difference—and inspire others to do the same.
Through Gifts of Kindness, The Columbus Foundation partners with more than 30 local nonprofit agencies to support individuals and families experiencing an unforeseen hardship. One-time grants help individuals and families address an immediate need and continue on a path to independence and sustainability.
The grants, typically between $500-$3,000, go directly toward expenses associated with the hardship. Often, these expenses are related to housing, transportation, and assistance with utilities. Requests related to housing expenses have increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic and are expected to continue to rise in the coming months as the federal eviction moratorium expires.
Recent examples of how Gifts of Kindness has supported our community members include:
From our nonprofit partners: