Propelled by the generosity of donors and the community, grants will support racial equity, human services, and capital projects
Columbus, OH (December 30, 2022)—As the central Ohio community prepares to close out 2022, The Columbus Foundation announced today that it approved $4,826,700 in competitive grants and Program Related Investments, or PRIs, in December.
“Fueled by the generosity of generations of Columbus Foundation donors, these grants honor their legacies by supporting nonprofit organizations and programs that are building a vibrant, flourishing central Ohio for all,” said Douglas F. Kridler, President and CEO of The Columbus Foundation. “With the same heart and dedication of those who established The Columbus Foundation nearly 80 years ago, our great, giving community continues to demonstrate how the power of the human spirit moves our region forward.”
Grants totaling $2,266,700 were approved to benefit more than three dozen organizations in central Ohio, supporting a range of programs and initiatives in the community in the areas of racial equity, human services, and capital projects. For instance, $517,700 in Racial Equity Grants was approved this month, which will go toward funding projects such as ensuring reflective racial representation in medical care, promoting more diverse representation in public art, and increasing community reflection in dialogues of public safety, among other projects. This is the second round of Racial Equity Grants distributed by The Columbus Foundation in 2022.
“While their missions and programs vary in unique ways, each of the organizations to receive grants are committed to building a community where all people have access to opportunity and feel a strong sense of belonging,” said Dan Sharpe, Vice President for Community Research and Grants Management at The Columbus Foundation.
Additionally, through The Columbus Foundation’s Equitable Small Business Fund, $2.6 million in PRIs was awarded to five Black-owned and Black-led businesses serving the central Ohio region in December.
Earlier this year, The Columbus Foundation announced an evolution of its grantmaking strategy—the most agile, responsive, and inclusive grantmaking to date. Through this process, The Columbus Foundation identified three fundamental components upon which to build its grantmaking: prioritizing racial equity, significantly increasing opportunities for general operating grants, and supporting the holistic well-being of nonprofits by investing in capacity building. The competitive grants and PRIs approved in December reflect this intentional grantmaking evolution.
About The Columbus Foundation
The Columbus Foundation, one of the top 10 community foundations in the United States, serves thousands of individuals, families, and businesses that have created unique funds and planned gifts to make a difference in the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible.