During the late 1870s, Columbus banker and entrepreneur Joseph A. Jeffrey turned an inventor’s idea for undercutting coal into a booming manufacturer of mining machinery. More than a century later, thanks to Jeffrey’s foresight and philanthropy, the community continues to benefit from the Joseph A. Jeffrey Endowment Fund used to beautify or improve the city, supporting nonprofit organizations in Columbus and Franklin County.

The Columbus Foundation, its Supporting Foundations, and its donors have long supported Catholic Social Services through a variety of grants—including targeted investments to support the operation and renovation of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Center, increase recruitment for the Foster Grandparent Program, and help launch the pilot of Stay the Course®, among numerous other investments. In recognition of the organization’s contributions to strengthening and improving the community, The Columbus Foundation also named Catholic Social Services one of the 5 Nonprofits to Watch in 2017.

This year, the Center for HumanKindness at The Columbus Foundation entered a collaborative partnership with Dr. Cheavens’ Mood and Personality Studies Lab at The Ohio State University to continue growing the body of research on kindness and its effects on individual and collective well-being.

Honoring the legacy of Senator Ben Espy, a devoted public servant and family man whose life of service continues through a charitable fund supporting youth and opportunity in central Ohio.

In recognition of the important role the organization plays in anchoring central Ohio’s arts sector and its innovative work to inspire the community through music, ProMusica has been selected as the 2025 honoree of The Columbus Foundation Award. Established in 1979, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra is known for its exceptional artistry, audience intimacy, and community engagement.

In April 2026, in recognition of his remarkable artistic achievements and contributions to central Ohio’s cultural landscape, Bobby Floyd was named the 2026 honoree of The Spirit of Columbus® Award by The Columbus Foundation.

On the blog, Director of Kindness Kate Oliphint discusses how kindness prevails, where it can lead, and how to join the Center for HumanKindness in the journey to creating a kinder, more equitable community for all.

In this edition of the At the Table blog, 2022 Summer Fellow Jenna Hays offers a glimpse into her experience working alongside ARC Industries Inc. of Franklin County, Ohio (ARC) to increase community inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Discover how The Columbus Foundation celebrates and supports the vibrant arts community of Columbus, Ohio, by investing in organizations to meet community needs, expand arts and cultural programming, and enrich the region with creativity, entertainment, and the transformative power of art.