With deep roots in the community, the Junior League of Columbus has worked alongside The Columbus Foundation for many years. The organization was among the first nonprofits to create an Organization Endowment Fund at The Columbus Foundation, establishing the Junior League Fund in 1957.
In 1993, J.W. established the John W. Wolfe Permanent Administrative Fund at The Columbus Foundation to provide ongoing support for the operation of the Foundation. Over the past three decades, the fund has helped The Columbus Foundation remain a welcoming place for donors, nonprofit leaders, and community members, including supporting the development and maintenance of the Foundation’s beautiful grounds.
In 2005, Barbara Brandt established the Brandt Family Next Generation Fund, initially allocating $250 a year to each grandchild to grant to a nonprofit of their choice. However, before they could donate to their selected nonprofits, Barbara stipulated that the grandchildren first conduct research on the organizations.
75 years ago, when Harrison M. Sayre and his fellow civic leaders stepped forward to create The Columbus Foundation, they could not have known the enduring power of their philanthropic gesture.
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.
In 2011, the City of Columbus, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, and Franklin County—longtime supporters of local community gardens—amplified their collective impact by collaborating on the Garden Grant program housed at The Columbus Foundation to support the operating and program costs of community gardens in central Ohio.
Acts of generosity, kindness, and humanity occur throughout our community year-round. As we celebrate Giving Tuesday on Tuesday, November 28, we hope to inspire your own giving journey by sharing 4 ways you can help make a difference.
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.
On the At the Table blog, discover the transformative impact of summer camps like Camp Mary Orton, where local youth in central Ohio engage in adventures, learning, and community building. From outdoor activities to academic enrichment, these programs foster personal growth and lifelong connections.
Explore Benchmarking Central Ohio 2024, the latest in a series of community benchmarking reports commissioned by The Columbus Foundation, starting in 2007. This in-depth report assesses five vital areas—population, economy, personal prosperity, lifelong learning, and community well-being—offering valuable insights to empower civic, nonprofit, and business leaders with data to drive positive change. Together we can create responsive and sustainable solutions to the complex challenges facing our region.