Born and raised near Boch Hollow, nature preservation was a passion for Dr. Francis Kessler and his wife, Joyce. The couple wanted to make sure it would be protected and maintained after their deaths. The Kesslers donated land to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and established the Francis W. and Joyce D. Kessler Fund in 2007, an endowment that would maintain the land and offer educational opportunities for schoolchildren.
Kevin and Kathryne Reeves established the Reeves Family Foundation in 2014 as a way to provide support to organizations they care about—and as a tool to teach their children about the importance of giving—a lesson both Kevin and Kathryne learned early on.
In August 2014, with the family homeless rate in central Ohio continuing to climb, The Columbus Foundation launched a Critical Need Alert (CNA) to its donors, asking them to partner with the Foundation to fund essential school supplies and clothing to some of the most vulnerable in our community—children who are homeless.
Informed and passionate philanthropists, Dr. Jerome and Margaret Cunningham have supported beloved organizations for many years. They’ve realized, however, the charitable landscape is ever changing, and want to make sure their dollars are used wisely to make a difference in the future.
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 Ohio to Erie Trail is a 326-mile network of multi-use trails that links the Ohio River at Cincinnati to Lake Erie at Cleveland, mostly on land once used for railroads and canals. A place for bicyclists, bird watchers, hikers, runners, cross-country skiers, and nature lovers alike, the Ohio to Erie Trail offers scenic views and dedicated space for recreation.
Every student deserves the chance to pursue their educational dreams. At The Columbus Foundation, generous donors have established hundreds of scholarships, creating opportunities for high school and college students to achieve their educational goals and prepare them for future careers.
Beneath the local dining experience of Freedom a la Cart Café + Bakery is a meaningful, mission-focused cause: supporting survivors of sex trafficking. Learn how Freedom a la Cart fosters trust, compassion, and collaboration to provide a safe space for survivors, helping them heal, learn, and lead self-sufficient lives.
For 80 years, The Columbus Foundation has worked with passionate individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to help them achieve their charitable giving goals through the most effective philanthropy possible. One vehicle through which donors are helping to strengthen and improve our community is Field of Interest Funds.