Supporting Central Ohio's Young Learners

A strong educational ecosystem—one that supports young learners’ development and provides enriching opportunities to learn both inside and outside the classroom—can equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive. Through strategic grantmaking, collaboration, and capacity building, The Columbus Foundation supports nonprofits that deliver impactful programming to young learners in our community.

In September 2023, Chasity Edwards, Ed.M., joined The Columbus Foundation as the Director of Education Grantmaking. In this role, Edwards researches, reviews, and recommends charitable investments in central Ohio that focus on the vital area of education grantmaking. Working closely with local organizations, Edwards also maintains awareness of ongoing educational trends in the region and provides support to the nonprofit community.

Education community of practice participants.

Earlier this year, under Edwards’ leadership, The Columbus Foundation convened a new education community of practice, consisting of 14 organizations that serve youth through early childhood and K-12 education, afterschool programming, or out-of-school programming. The community of practice will regularly meet at The Columbus Foundation over the next three years to collaborate, problem-solve, and put forth innovative ideas to better serve young learners wherever they are—in the classroom, in the community, or with their families.

Edwards recently shared more about her role and what she hopes the community of practice will achieve.

Q: In your role, what have you learned about central Ohio’s nonprofit sector, especially as it relates to education grantmaking?

I quickly learned how competitive the nonprofit sector is, as it relates to funding, and how this can discourage collaboration. I was also affirmed in my understanding that Columbus is program-rich but lacks the civic infrastructure necessary for the type of sustainable collaboration that improves outcomes at a community level. Our community of practice provides the space to pilot critical elements of the requisite infrastructure.

I sincerely appreciate those nonprofit leaders who, early in my role, trusted me enough to issue a call to action: to approach funding differently. Hearing an earnest desire from the sector for collaboration and shared goals and metrics has been a refreshing insight.

Q: Why is it important to focus on young learners’ experiences both inside and outside of the classroom?

Kids are born with an almost insatiable curiosity. Learning is constantly happening in active and passive ways. Intentionally curating community to extend formal learning feeds their innate curiosity, facilitates healthy brain development, and creates the real-world connections kids are craving right now.

Q: How would you describe the organizations that are participating in the community of practice? What do you hope these organizations gain from this experience?

Best in class. We carefully selected organizations that consistently implement evidence-based and/or promising practices, have an appetite for innovation, a proven ability to collaborate, and a track record of strong outcomes. We hope the community of practice partners enjoy a space to think together, and differently, about how we better leverage existing assets to solve complex problems. We also hope our partners can deepen relationships in ways that lend themselves to sustainable and mutually beneficial collaborations, with the aim of achieving our shared aspirations for the young people and families we serve.

Every child should have access to excellent educational opportunities. Our community of practice partners are best positioned to help The Columbus Foundation understand how, as a community, we make this possible.