Columbus, OH (September 8, 2026)—Today, at its annual Celebration of Philanthropy events, The Columbus Foundation announced that, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of donors, a record $477.4 million in grants was awarded to nonprofits in 2025, supporting more than 5,200 organizations in central Ohio and beyond. The Foundation also recognized the 2026 honorees of The Harrison M. Sayre Award, Huntington National Bank, and The Columbus Foundation Award, Columbus Early Learning Centers.
Since its founding in 1943, The Columbus Foundation has awarded $4.6 billion in grants to nonprofits that strengthen the community and provide essential services to individuals and families. The Foundation's grantmaking is made possible through the generosity of thousands of donors whose charitable legacies create lasting impact across our region. In 2025, the Foundation received more than $262.5 million in new donations and bequests.
The Columbus Foundation remains one of the largest community foundations in the United States, with $4.2 billion in assets.
"At a time of change and challenge, our community continues to give generously to the many causes and organizations that are improving lives and addressing our community's most pressing needs," said Doug Kridler, President and CEO of The Columbus Foundation. "The generosity of our donors and the dedication of our nonprofit partners demonstrate what is possible when people come together to invest in their community and in a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive."
In the spirit of celebrating those who are committed to our region's progress, The Columbus Foundation presented its annual philanthropy awards to two longstanding Columbus institutions dedicated to service, leadership, and innovation.
Pictured (l-r): Tanny Crane, President and CEO of Crane Group and Huntington Bancshares Incorporated board member; Brant Standridge, President of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, and Jessica Standridge; Patti Steinour and Steve Steinour, Chairman and CEO of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. Photo by The Columbus Foundation/Challen Brown.
The Harrison M. Sayre Award, named for The Columbus Foundation's founder and 25-year volunteer director, honors leadership in philanthropy in central Ohio. This year's honoree, Huntington National Bank, has been a cornerstone of the community for 160 years. Led by Steve Steinour, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, Huntington supports a wide range of nonprofit organizations and community initiatives, including Pelotonia. Since 2009, Huntington has helped raise more than $54 million to advance Pelotonia's mission of funding life-saving cancer research. Huntington has been a longstanding partner of The Columbus Foundation since the Foundation’s inception, serving as a founding trustee bank.
Pictured (l-r): Amanda Bundy, PhD, Columbus Early Learning Centers board member; Gina Ginn, PhD, CEO of Columbus Early Learning Centers; and Jessica Cano, Columbus Early Learning Centers board member. Photo by The Columbus Foundation/Challen Brown.
The Columbus Foundation Award, which recognizes organizations that have made a difference in the quality of life in central Ohio, was presented this year to Columbus Early Learning Centers (CELC). Since 1887, CELC has provided affordable, high-quality early education to infants, toddlers, and young children, helping them build the skills and confidence needed to thrive in school and throughout their lives. Under the leadership of CEO Gina Ginn, PhD, CELC also supports parents through wraparound services, such as developmental screenings, food distribution, and home visits through the ParentChild+ program. As part of the award, CELC will receive a $100,000 unrestricted grant from The Columbus Foundation.
View past philanthropy award honorees here.