A new pilot, Core Support Grants, provides essential general operating support for eight nonprofits
Columbus, OH (August 11, 2015)—The Columbus Foundation, the community’s trusted philanthropic advisor®, has announced $744,490 in grants to provide valuable support to nonprofit organizations working to strengthen and improve central Ohio. The grants are made possible by Foundation donors who provided unrestricted dollars through their philanthropic funds to support timely opportunities and needs in central Ohio. The grants were approved at the July meeting of the Foundation’s Governing Committee.
A $250,000 grant was awarded to FutureReady Columbus, a new community-wide education initiative. The effort will focus on early childhood education, public policy, and community engagement. FutureReady Columbus was formed through a public/ private partnership that integrates the nonprofit organizations Learn4Life Columbus, KidsOhio.org, and Learning Circle Education Services.
“The Columbus Foundation and its donors have a strong commitment to adding value to school preparedness so our community’s children enter the classroom ready to learn,” said Douglas F. Kridler, president and CEO of The Columbus Foundation.
The grant from the Foundation is the first support for FutureReady Columbus’ newly created Fund for Education Excellence.
New Core Support Grants totaling $216,000 were awarded to eight nonprofit organizations, and will provide three-years of general operating support. Core grants can be used to support an array of expenses aligned with the needs and goals of the nonprofit, and include program costs, salaries, administration, office expenses, technology, personnel training, fundraising, and marketing efforts. The Foundation will work closely with the nonprofits in this pilot effort to learn about the effectiveness and impact of core support on operations.
The first recipients of the Foundation’s Core Support Grants are:
- 4 Paws for Ability—$22,500
- Canine Companions for Independence—$22,500
- Capital Area Humane Society—$75,000
- Deaf Initiatives, Inc.—$9,000
- Deaf Services Center, Inc.—$9,000
- Ohio Wildlife Center—$39,000
- National Society to Prevent Blindness – Ohio Affiliate—$30,000
- VOICEcorps Reading Service—$9,000
In addition, 28 small grants totaling $278,490 were awarded to central Ohio nonprofits in the areas of historic preservation, health, education, special populations, and social services. These grants are made possible by donors who have created Field of Interest Funds at the Foundation. View the full list of projects.
- CATCO-Phoenix, Inc.—$1,000 to support a theatre residency at Columbus School for Girls and the Wellington School.
- Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio Inc.—$9,000 to consult with parents and caregivers of children with mental health concerns.
- Enroll America—$25,000 to identify and educate consumers in Franklin County about benefits available under the Affordable Care Act.
- Senior Independence of Central Ohio—$9,750 to provide hospice care to end-stage dementia patients using multisensory therapies.
- Urban Concern, Inc.—$10,000 to support an afterschool program that serves up to 96 at-risk youth and focuses on academic enrichment and character development.
- Victory Ministries Inc.—$6,000 to support the Hope Counseling Center and provide free or low-cost clinical counseling services to individuals who are uninsured and cannot afford services elsewhere.
About The Columbus Foundation
The Columbus Foundation is the trusted philanthropic advisor® to 2,400 individuals, families, and businesses who have created charitable funds and planned gifts to make a difference in the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible. Serving the region for more than 70 years, The Columbus Foundation is the seventh largest community foundation in the United States. The Foundation’s online marketplace, PowerPhilanthropy,® makes giving mobile, easy, and smart.