As Founder and CEO of Zora’s House, LC Johnson is providing other women of color a place to realize their own dreams. Zora’s House is a coworking space and leadership incubator designed by and with women and gender-expansive people of color.

Directions for Youth & Families has played a vital role in the community for more than a century, offering mental, emotional, and behavioral health services to thousands of youth and their families each year. In partnership with 23 nonprofit organizations, the new Crittenton Community Center will offer services that address food insecurity, housing stability, and more, helping DFYF expand its reach to provide critical social services to even more youth and families.

Neighborhood grants support place-based initiatives that enable residents to benefit from the region’s growth and opportunity through economic empowerment and engagement in the development of their communities.

On the heels of Thanksgiving, and heading into the holiday season, we are reminded of the importance of giving. Today is Giving Tuesday, a day to reflect on what we have and commit to helping others. Vice President for Community Research and Grants Management Dan Sharpe shares three reasons to participate in this global day of giving to help strengthen our local nonprofits—and create a better community for all.

Dorothy Cage Evans’ dream was to ensure underserved and economically challenged youth in our community had the tools they needed to succeed in life. These tools far exceeded her investments in laptops, books, and school-related expenses, though her significant contributions to academic success cannot be understated. Over the course of 25 years, Dorothy and her family awarded hundreds of scholarships through the Cage Family Scholarship Fund and the Greater Columbus Community Helping Hands, Inc. Scholarship Fund.

Directions for Youth & Families has been selected as the 2022 honoree of The Columbus Foundation Award In recognition of the important role the organization plays in bringing stability and opportunity to youth, families, and neighborhoods. As part of the award, DFYF will receive a $100,000 unrestricted grant from The Columbus Foundation.

Tom Katzenmeyer and Karen Bell feel the arts community in central Ohio is more efficient, collaborative, and welcoming than ever—and poised to reach new heights in the coming years.

The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio continues to be a force for change—awarding grants, hosting events, providing research and tools, and giving a voice to women and girls through advocacy efforts. The Columbus Foundation is proud to honor these founders with The Harrison M. Sayre Award, as they paved a way for thousands of others to learn, grow, and lead.

Strengthening our community's social fabric begins with forging meaningful connections and relationships. On the blog, Kate Oliphint, Director of the Center for HumanKindness at The Columbus Foundation, discusses the powerful role of social connections on individual and community well-being.

A collaborative effort is bringing life to a group of buildings that had long been forgotten, and creating a fresh new gateway to Weinland Park and The Ohio State University along East 11th Avenue.