Juanita Muller was widowed in 1949. She reared two sons, Joe, then 14 and Charles, 10, working six days a week in a dress factory. Charles, the provider of this scholarship, was the first in his family to receive a college education, thanks to the Woodward Trustees Foundation in Cincinnati. It provided financial aid in high school and a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati. May the recipients of the scholarship fully appreciate the effort of their single parent and have an impact on the lives of those they touch.

Mary Elizabeth Betts Beattey graduated from high school at 17 in 1937, when the shadow of the Great Depression still darkened her home in Appalachian Ohio, so she put aside her desire to attend college and, for the next three decades, relied on her Gregg shorthand, typing, language arts, and general abilities in various secretarial positions. When her husband died just short of her 50th birthday, she found herself with the time and resources to pursue her dream of a college education. Within three years, she had a degree in Elementary Education from Ohio University, graduating cum laude.   For most of the next two decades, she taught fifth grade, reveling in finding the student who, with a little special service, extra attention, encouragement, or cajoling could and would do better academically. The goal of the scholarship is to support a student who has been helped, motivated, or cajoled into doing better and to continue on that path through their high school career.

This fund honors the life of Olivia "Liv" Midnight. She was an independent, friendly, artistic young woman with an infectious laugh. Olivia was a student at Thomas Worthington High School. Established with the support of many friends and family members, this fund will carry forward Liv's passions and her love of life. She passed away in 2018 at the age of 17.

Central Ohio Primary Care (COPC) is one of the largest physician-owned primary care organizations in the United States. COPC is rooted in a long history of clinical excellence and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We are building a model for primary care that creates a more holistic view of patient care and gives physicians more time to focus on building relationships with patients and each other. This scholarship is a continuation of these efforts, ensuring diverse medical talent to provide medical care to all. The scholarship was created to assist with the educational expenses for underrepresented populations in health care looking to attend a college, university, technical college, or community college.

Richard P. Seiter was a career correctional professional who served as Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) for several years. He began working in corrections after receiving his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. Dr. Seiter established this scholarship for children of current DRC employees to recognize the commitment of these employees and their service to the State of Ohio. Dr. Seiter established the scholarship with the belief that education (just like in his own life) can set a person’s course for life and put them on the past for success. He values the dedication of people who give their careers to public service, and especially those who work in the difficult jobs of corrections. He believes that if a scholarship can help them with their children, it is an investment in the future of our country and state that is a legacy he wants to leave.

The Columbus Foundation is searching for college and graduate students with interest in the nonprofit sector, offering a 10-week, paid fellowship to build work experience and develop skills for a future nonprofit career through its Summer Fellowship Program.

Nonprofit organizations serving Miami County, including those focused on improving the quality of life for children, women and families throughout the community, will benefit from grants made recently by The Paul G. Duke Foundation.

Central Ohioans turned out in droves to celebrate the 75th anniversary of The Columbus Foundation on December 29. The Big Explore, the Foundation’s “thank you” event to the community who helped build its success, offered free COTA rides and free admission to seven of the area’s most prominent cultural attractions: Columbus Museum of Art, COSI, Franklin Park Conservatory, National Veterans Memorial and Museum, Ohio History Connection, The Pizzuti Collection, and Wexner Center for the Arts.

Numerous community members were recognized during the launch of a new program at The Columbus Foundation today. Columbus’ True Originals celebrates those in our city who expand the horizons of Columbus through groundbreaking, original work.

Understanding the health and vitality of the Columbus region is integral to defining priorities and shaping policies that strengthen and improve our community. In the seventh edition of Benchmarking Central Ohio, The Columbus Foundation looks across a spectrum of metrics measuring community health to understand how the central Ohio region stacks up to comparable metros areas.