The Columbus Foundation’s Kind Columbus initiative inspired thousands throughout central Ohio to cultivate kindness in 2017. In February, the Foundation teamed up with Besa and other partners for Columbus Kindness Month—culminating in more than 10,000 acts of kindness and generating more than $100,000 toward the kindness movement.

On May 17, 2017, approximately 5,000 people gathered around more than 450 tables across the central Ohio region to participate in The Columbus Foundation’s second Big Table. The Big Table launched in 2016 as a way to bring people together to broaden perspectives and strengthen our community.

The Big Give, The Columbus Foundation’s signature community giving event, was held on October 10–11 to support area nonprofits. The 26-hour online event leveraged an incredible $18,003,826 to support 906 central Ohio nonprofits.

Columbus Humane is passionate about its mission to “fight animal cruelty, help animals in need, and advocate for their well-being.” In addition to serving as a shelter and providing veterinary care at its state-of-the-art onsite hospital, the organization, founded in 1883, handles thousands of animal cruelty investigations each year. Recent renovations to Columbus Humane’s site in Hilliard puts animals in the spotlight.