Scholarships provide life-changing financial support to students and empower the next generation to pursue their dreams. As students return to school, we’re dedicating this edition of Charitable Insights to Scholarship Funds—how they work, who should start a fund, and their benefits for students—as well as for you and your clients.

On April 17, 1964, “Jerrie” Fredritz Mock shattered records and made history as the first female pilot to circumnavigate the globe solo. Next week marks the 60th anniversary of the touch down of Jerrie’s historic flight, which started and ended at Port Columbus International Airport—known today as John Glenn Columbus International Airport. 

The idea for Harmony Project didn’t happen overnight. Founder David Brown had been carrying it around for a while, but didn’t know if it was even possible—to bring people together and provide them with the opportunity to sing, serve, and share.

The Spirit of Columbus Award, affectionately known as The Jerries®, was established in 2013 to honor aviatrix Jerrie Mock, a visionary who ignored the doubts of others and blazed into history as the first woman to fly solo around the world. That same undeniable spirit was evident in the recent collaborative effort to keep the Columbus Crew SC in Columbus. Since playing its first game in 1996, the Crew has become an important thread in the fabric of our city.

On the blog, Columbus Foundation Governing Committee member Dr. William “B.J.” Hicks II and his father, Dr. William "Bill" Hicks, reflect on their family’s legacy of service to the central Ohio community as highly respected physicians and the importance of representation in medicine and efforts to promote health equity in the community.

Donor Advised Funds are enormously popular charitable giving vehicles—known for their ease and flexibility. Through a Donor Advised Fund, individuals can make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants from the fund over time. Many donors have established Donor Advised Funds at The Columbus Foundation to streamline their giving and maximize their impact.

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. Learn more about this fund and donate to the Gifts of Kindness Fund on Giving Tuesday, December 1, to see your dollars doubled!

Within 15 minutes of The Big Give kickoff on September 17, 2013, 300 central Ohio nonprofits had already received donations. The 24-hour online giving effort reached $1 million and 1,000 donations in less than 40 minutes!

Philanthropic planning is an important element of overall legal and financial planning. By discussing charitable goals with your clients, you can help them increase their impact, decrease tax liability, and leave a lasting legacy. Along the way, you deepen your relationship with them as you give them a space to talk about their values and priorities.