News

Annual ‘5 Nonprofits to Watch’ Named By The Columbus Foundation

2026-03-19T00:00:00Z

Program recognizes organizations addressing critical community needs and improving the quality of life in central Ohio

Columbus, OH (March 19, 2026)—The Columbus Foundation announced today the 5 Nonprofits to Watch in 2026. Launched in 2014, 5 Nonprofits to Watch is an annual program that honors innovative and impactful organizations working to strengthen and improve the community. With this distinction, each nonprofit will be awarded a $20,000 unrestricted grant from The Columbus Foundation.

The 5 Nonprofits to Watch in 2026 are: Dress for Success Columbus, Festa, Home for Families, Opera Columbus, and YWCA Columbus.

PICTURED (l-r): Beth Fetzer-Rice, President & CEO of Home for Families; Elizabeth Brown, President and CEO of YWCA Columbus; Julia Noulin-Mérat, General Director + CEO of Opera Columbus; Habiba Bankston, Executive Director of Dress for Success Columbus; and Kim Emch, Founder and Executive Director of Festa.

“This year’s 5 Nonprofits to Watch each demonstrate the power of visionary leadership, community collaboration, and inclusive programming to move our community forward,” said Dan Sharpe, Vice President of Community Research and Grants Management at The Columbus Foundation.

“Across the organizations’ unique missions, the 5 Nonprofits to Watch are working to build a region where everyone has the opportunity to flourish through self-determination and belonging.”

In addition to the unrestricted grant, each honoree will receive a year-long consulting engagement with UpRys, a local strategy consulting and project-based delivery firm, to help address growth, capacity building, and sustainability. Capacity building projects will be developed by the nonprofits themselves and reflect their greatest priorities.

More about this year’s honorees:

Dress for Success Columbus empowers women to achieve economic mobility by providing a network of support, professional attire, career development, and the tools needed to thrive. The organization serves women from diverse racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, working to expand equity, access, and opportunity so that every woman can build a future of stability, confidence, and growth.

Festa is working to end poverty for the individuals and families it serves through life changing relationships with multigenerational English education. The organization’s nationally recognized 3-Generation Family English as a Second Language (ESL) program serves families from over 90 countries of origin. By mobilizing hundreds of volunteers, Festa is building community and friendships across lines of difference that transform neighbors’ lives.

Home for Families partners with families and youth to resolve their housing crises, strengthen financial stability, and bridge education gaps to prevent future homelessness. Originally founded as The Homeless Families Foundation in 1986, Home for Families works alongside landlords, government agencies, and community partners to provide safe, secure, and affordable housing solutions to families.

Opera Columbus is redefining and reimagining the concept of regional opera with world-class productions that celebrate extraordinary talent and artistic partnerships, engaging a new, diverse audience for this most magnificent of art forms. From groundbreaking collaborations to innovative and breathtaking productions, Opera Columbus is passionate about creating artistic moments for each and every patron.

YWCA Columbus is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Founded in 1886, YWCA Columbus invests in the community by offering housing support and shelter, advancing social justice through education and engagement, supporting the development of children and youth, and answering the evolving needs of our region.

To learn more about the 5 Nonprofits to Watch, including past honorees, visit The Columbus Foundation’s website.

ABOUT THE COLUMBUS FOUNDATION

The Columbus Foundation, one of the top 10 community foundations in the United States, serves thousands of individuals, families, and businesses that have created unique funds and planned gifts to make a difference in the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible.

The Columbus Foundation Appoints Director to Lead Community Health Grantmaking

2026-02-18T00:00:00Z

Columbus, OH (February 18, 2026)—The Columbus Foundation has announced that Cheryl Graffagnino, an experienced nonprofit and public sector professional with extensive expertise in community health systems and grantmaking strategies, has joined the organization as the Director of Community Health Grantmaking.

Cheryl Graffagnino, Director of Community Health Grantmaking

Within her position, a newly focused role at The Columbus Foundation, Graffagnino will lead the Foundation’s health grantmaking initiatives, with an emphasis on population health, the social determinants of health, infant and maternal health, mental health, emergency food assistance and nutrition, hospice and palliative care, and developmental disabilities. Graffagnino will also cultivate and steward relationships with nonprofits, donors, civic leaders, and other key partners to lead programs and drive strategic charitable investments that improve a wide variety of community health indicators and programs across the central Ohio region.

“Through her education, professional experience, and dedicated board service, Cheryl has developed a deep understanding of our community’s interconnected health landscape, grantmaking strategy, and the value of civic collaboration,” said Dan Sharpe, Vice President for Community Research and Grants Management at The Columbus Foundation. “We are pleased to welcome Cheryl to our team as she works to increase the effectiveness of nonprofits serving our region and to help address unmet community needs.”

Most recently, Graffagnino served as the Program Officer at the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation, where she managed a large portfolio of local, state, and national funding awards in support of the organization’s health-focused mission. She also served in various roles at Columbus Public Health, including as the Local Food Systems Strategies Coordinator, where Graffagnino led the creation and implementation of the City of Columbus and Franklin County Local Food Action Plan.

Graffagnino is active on several volunteer boards and committees, including the Ohio Department of Health Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant Advisory Committee, the Franklin County Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Crisis Care Community Advisory Council, and the Franklin County Local Food Council Steering Committee.

“I am honored to help further The Columbus Foundation’s commitment to strengthening and improving the health, well-being, and quality of life of our community,” said Graffagnino. “I look forward to supporting impactful organizations and programming through meaningful collaboration, community engagement, and thoughtful investments.”

A registered dietitian, Graffagnino earned a Bachelor of Science in Medical Dietetics and a Master of Science in Allied Medical Professions from The Ohio State University. In 2024, she was selected as an Osteopathic Health Policy Fellow with the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

ABOUT THE COLUMBUS FOUNDATION

Nonprofit Organizations Serving Ross County Invited To Apply for Grants

2026-02-13T00:00:00Z

Columbus, OH (February 13, 2026)—Community Foundations, Inc., an affiliate of The Columbus Foundation, is now accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations serving Ross County in the areas of cultural development, health and human welfare, economic development, and underprivileged youth. The grants are made possible through the generosity of the Robert E. and Genevieve B. Schaefer Fund and the Burton E. Stevenson Fund.

Nonprofits interested in applying for a grant from either or both funds can visit cbusfdn.org/regionalfunds. Applications will be accepted starting Friday, February 13, 2026, and are due Friday, March 13, 2026. An advisory committee, made up of community representatives in Chillicothe and Ross County, assists with grant recommendations.

The Robert E. and Genevieve B. Schaefer Fund was established in 1989 by Robert E. Schaefer, a longtime Chillicothe resident, to provide for the cultural development, health and human welfare, and economic development of Chillicothe and Ross County. A veteran newspaperman, Mr. Schaefer, who died in 1997, served the community for more than 60 years. He joined the Chillicothe Gazette in 1938 and began a career that spanned 36 years. It was Mr. Schaefer’s hope that these annual contributions to the community would inspire others with charitable intent to impact the community.

The Burton E. Stevenson Fund was established in 1992 by Burton Egbert Stevenson, who was born in Chillicothe. During World War I, Mr. Stevenson was instrumental in efforts to connect soldiers to periodicals from their hometowns and in establishing a library at Camp Sherman. He married Elizabeth Shepard Butler in 1895, their marriage lasting 65 years, and returned to Chillicothe, where he was the librarian for more than six decades. As part of his legacy, Mr. Stevenson created this fund to support underprivileged youth in Ross County.

About Community Foundations, Inc.

Community Foundations, Inc., was established in 1987 to enable donors to support nonprofit organizations primarily in the state of Ohio and beyond the central Ohio region. For more information, visit columbusfoundation.org or call 614/251-4000.

Grants From the Isabelle Ridgway Foundation Strengthen Services for Older Adults in Central Ohio

2026-02-02T00:00:00Z

Isabelle Ridgway Foundation surpasses $1 million in grants since inception

Columbus, OH (February 2, 2026)—The Isabelle Ridgway Foundation, a Supporting Foundation of The Columbus Foundation, has awarded five grants totaling $145,000 to organizations dedicated to strengthening the quality of life of older adults in central Ohio. Each of the grant recipients addresses a critical gap for older adults and is committed to advancing the independence and well-being of seniors in our region.

Isabelle Ridgway

“Isabelle Ridgway lived a life of service and was deeply committed to ensuring that older adults could age with dignity, surrounded by a caring community,” said Mark Hatcher, Esq., Chairperson of the Isabelle Ridgway Foundation. “The Isabelle Ridgway Foundation is honored to carry on her generosity by investing in organizations and projects that provide stability, compassion, and connection to local seniors.”

The 2026 Isabelle Ridgway Foundation grantees are as follows:

The African American Alzheimer’s and Wellness Association was awarded a $60,000 grant to support the organization’s community navigator program, tailored to caregivers ages 60 and older who are supporting loved ones with dementia. The program offers in-person and virtual support groups, wellness visits, mental health screenings, and culturally relevant education to reduce isolation, boost resilience, and improve caregivers’ well-being.

At Home by High received a $45,000 grant to support the organization’s operating costs and expand its reach. A grassroots nonprofit, At Home by High provides support, promotes connectedness, and enables independence for older adults through services like transportation, home repairs, technology help, and social engagement through gatherings and local outings.

Central Community House received a $15,000 grant to support its senior transportation program, which helps local seniors access essential services—like healthcare and food—and social opportunities. The senior transportation program serves hundreds of older adults on the Near East Side and South Side of Columbus, offering convenient and reliable transportation that supports independent aging.

The Ohio State University Foundation was awarded a $20,000 grant to support the 2026 Central Ohio Regional Assessment on Aging, a research project done by the Age-Friendly Innovation Center at Ohio State in partnership with the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging and the Franklin County Office on Aging. Data from the project will be used to inform local planning, program development, grant applications, and other areas to help older adults thrive.

The Seniors Tech Conference received a $5,000 grant to support scholarships to the 2026 conference for older adults who live in Franklin County. Committed to fostering digital literacy, access, and education for adults ages 55 and older, the Seniors Tech Conference is an annual initiative that features interactive workshops, hands-on computer training, one-on-one tech support, and engaging keynote sessions to help bridge the digital divide.

The Isabelle Ridgway Foundation was established to honor the legacy of Isabelle Ridgway, who founded the Old Folks Home of Franklin County in 1912 and worked diligently to meet the needs of the old, elderly, homeless, and poor. She died in 1955 at the age of 97, but her life’s work and witness continued through the Isabelle Ridgway Care Center until it was sold in 2015, and now through the Isabelle Ridgway Foundation. Since its inception in 2017, the foundation has awarded more than $1 million to help improve the quality of life of older adults in central Ohio.

About The Columbus Foundation

Jeff Edwards Named Chairperson of The Columbus Foundation Governing Committee

2026-01-07T00:00:00Z

Lisa Ingram to serve as Vice Chairperson of nine-member committee

Columbus, OH (January 7, 2026)—The Columbus Foundation has announced that Jeff Edwards, President, CEO, and Chairman of Installed Building Products and President of Edwards Companies, will serve as Chairperson of the Foundation’s Governing Committee in 2026.

Jeff Edwards, Governing Committee Chairperson

Edwards, who previously served as Vice Chairperson, first joined the Governing Committee in 2019. He is preceded by Clark Kellogg, who served as Chairperson for three years and who will remain a valued member of the Governing Committee. Lisa Ingram, CEO and Board Chair of White Castle System, Inc., will be the Governing Committee’s Vice Chairperson.

Lisa Ingram, Governing Committee Vice Chairperson

“A visionary leader, Jeff Edwards holds a deep and multi-faceted understanding of our region and the nonprofit sector. He, alongside Lisa Ingram and the other dedicated members of our Governing Committee, embodies thoughtful stewardship and a strong commitment to the community,” said Doug Kridler, President and CEO of The Columbus Foundation. “We are also deeply grateful for Clark Kellogg’s dynamic leadership as outgoing Chairperson and look forward to his continued service on the committee.”

Edwards is active in the community and in volunteer board service, including as past Chair of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, current Chair of Downtown Columbus, Inc., and a current member of The Columbus Partnership’s Executive Committee. He is also an Honorary Trustee of Columbus Museum of Art, where he served on the board for more than 20 years.

A member of the committee since 2022, Ingram currently serves as the Chair of the Board Director for OhioHealth. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including United Way of Central Ohio, the National Restaurant Association, the Childhood League Center, and as the Board Director for Action for Children.

Comprised of volunteer members chosen for their civic leadership and knowledge of the community’s needs, the Governing Committee provides stewardship for The Columbus Foundation and its charitable activities. In addition to Edwards, Ingram, and Kellogg, Jane Grote Abell, George Barrett, B.J. Hicks, MD, Katie Wolfe Lloyd, Marchelle Moore, Esq., and Matthew Scantland have returned to serve on the Governing Committee in 2026.

About The Columbus Foundation
The Columbus Foundation, one of the top 10 community foundations in the United States, serves thousands of individuals, families, and businesses that have created unique funds and planned gifts to make a difference in the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible.

The Columbus Foundation Announces $750,000 In Grants To Support Local Nonprofits Addressing Healthcare Access And Delivery

2025-12-16T00:00:00Z

Columbus, OH (December 16, 2025)—Tapping its reserves and an allocation from its Emergency Response Fund II, today The Columbus Foundation’s Governing Committee approved $750,000 in grants to support 12 local nonprofit organizations serving under- and uninsured medically vulnerable populations.

The grants, ranging from $25,000 to $100,000, will bolster free clinics, community health centers, and Federally Qualified Health Centers as these direct service providers are experiencing increased demand and are preparing for potential funding challenges.

Nonprofits receiving grants:

Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio
Columbus Free Clinic
Equitas Health Inc.
Heart of Ohio Family Health Centers
Helping Hands Free Clinic
I Am Boundless
Lower Lights Christian Health Center
Physicians Care Connection
PrimaryOne Health
Southeast Healthcare
Stowe Mission of Central Ohio
The Breathing Association

“These grants are not business as usual—these are extraordinary investments for these extraordinarily challenging times for many members of our community. The healthier we are as a community, the stronger we are as a community,” said Doug Kridler, President and CEO of The Columbus Foundation.

From emergency shelter and food to access to healthcare, this is the latest in a number of signature investments The Columbus Foundation has made in 2025 to address critical community needs.

Last month, The Columbus Foundation awarded a $500,000 grant to LifeCare Alliance to provide critical operating support, with a focus on its Meals-on-Wheels program. The program delivers meals as well as a regular wellness check-in 365 days a year to adults 60 years and older and individuals with a medical challenge and/or disability.

In October, a total of $500,000 in grants to provide immediate support was awarded to 21 nonprofit organizations addressing food insecurity in central Ohio. Those in central Ohio’s pantry network are citing significant increases in demand, while experiencing stagnant or decreased financial resources.

In July, a $2 million investment from The Columbus Foundation was announced to directly support Community Shelter Board’s network of system partners delivering shelter, housing, and supportive services.

About The Columbus Foundation

Summer Fellowship Program Seeks Students for 2026

2025-11-20T00:00:00Z

Application Deadline is January 5, 2026

Columbus, OH (November 24, 2025)— The Columbus Foundation is seeking college and graduate students and recent college graduates who have an interest in the nonprofit sector to apply to the 2026 Summer Fellowship Program. Launched in 2010, the Summer Fellowship Program is an immersive 10-week paid fellowship that provides Summer Fellows with an opportunity to develop their professional and leadership skills while supporting the work of local nonprofit organizations.

Fourteen central Ohio nonprofit organizations have been selected as host sites for the 2026 program. Selected Summer Fellows will be placed with a nonprofit based on interests, skills, and each nonprofit’s specific projects, needs, or objectives. They will work with that organization from Monday, June 1, to Friday, August 7, and are required to attend five professional development sessions culminating in a mandatory end-of-summer presentation. Each Summer Fellow will receive a stipend of $6,350 for their work.

“The Foundation’s Summer Fellowship Program provides emerging professionals with meaningful, on-the-ground experience in the nonprofit world, all while advancing programs and initiatives that strengthen our community."

Dr. Mark A. Lomax, II, Director of Arts & Generational Grantmaking at The Columbus Foundation.

The deadline to submit a student application online at columbusfoundation.org is Monday, January 5, 2026. To qualify for the 2026 Summer Fellowship, applicants must be a college junior or senior, a May/June 2026 graduate, or a graduate student in the Fall of 2026 and have graduated from a Franklin County high school; or are attending a Franklin County college or university.

The nonprofit organizations and fellowship projects selected for the 2026 Summer Fellowship Program are:

Besa—To increase volunteer engagement by researching, designing, and implementing strategies to optimize volunteer recruitment.
Children’s Hunger Alliance—To support the development team with the Taste to Remember fundraising event, donor engagement, and volunteer coordination.
Columbus Museum of Art—To work with the Assistant Curator of Public Programming to research and develop a viable student engagement strategy.
Franklin County Agricultural Society—To work with the marketing team to create a digital storytelling strategy that increases awareness of the organization’s mission and support staff with stakeholder engagement.
Homeport—To support the marketing team to manage social media accounts, research and write impact stories, develop content for the newsletter and website, and perform other marketing tasks.
Human Services Chamber—To support the organizations’ capacity-building services, public policy analysis, and data projects for health and human services nonprofits.
Ohio Association of Food Banks—To work with staff to recruit, promote, and launch the Healthy Harvest Corps program.
Open Door—To work with creative team, actors, and community partners to launch the new Summer Performance Series.
The Westerville Fund—To elevate the mission awareness, increase donor engagement, and support planning of the 50th anniversary celebration of The Westerville Fund.
SEA Change—To create a digital marketing strategy focused on elevating awareness and understanding of social enterprises.
Star House—To work with marketing and development staff to create and implement a social media strategy for 2027.
Tech Corps—To support the Tech Corps program manager by coordinating delivery of K-12 tech summer programs across several sites.
The PAST Foundation—To support the PAST Foundation’s media and communications team in capturing, curating, and sharing summer program stories across the organization’s social media platforms.
The Women’s Fund—To work with the marketing and development team to plan events, and to develop and implement a social media strategy focused on the 25th anniversary.

The Summer Fellowship Program is made possible by the generosity and vision of many Columbus Foundation donors. To learn more about the program, including eligibility and the application process, visit columbusfoundation.org/students/summer-fellows.

About The Columbus Foundation

Columbus Foundation Awards $500,000 to LifeCare Alliance to Support Meals-on-Wheels and Critical Programs

2025-11-19T00:00:00Z

Columbus, OH (November 19, 2025)— Today, The Columbus Foundation’s Governing Committee approved a $500,000 grant to LifeCare Alliance to provide critical operating support, with a focus on its Meals-on-Wheels program, which serves more than 7,000 meals a day across five central Ohio counties.

For more than 50 years, LifeCare Alliance has operated the Meals-on-Wheels program, delivering nourishing meals and a regular wellness check-in 365 days a year to adults 60 years and older and individuals with a medical challenge and/or disability.

To date, LifeCare Alliance has been able to continue to provide this service without having to put individuals who are new to the program on a waitlist. However, with recent funding challenges from a variety of sources, the organization is at risk of having to divert and not accept additional clients.

Meals-on-Wheels numbers in central Ohio are at historic levels, currently 80 percent higher than before COVID-19, and on track to provide a record breaking 1.8 million meals in 2025. According to LifeCare Alliance, it is one of the five largest Meals-on-Wheels providers in the country, and in 2024, 1,523,778 meals were delivered to 6,803 Meals-on-Wheels clients and the Under 60 program served 142,643 meals to 565 clients.

“This investment highlights the critical role LifeCare Alliance plays in our community in terms of supporting vulnerable seniors through not only the Meals-on-Wheels program but other crucial services as well,” said Doug Kridler, President and CEO of The Columbus Foundation.

The Columbus Foundation Awards $500,000 in Grants to Bolster Central Ohio Food Pantries

2025-10-28T00:00:00Z

Columbus, OH (October 28, 2025)—Today, The Columbus Foundation announced its Governing Committee has approved a total of $500,000 in grants to provide immediate support to 21 nonprofit organizations addressing food insecurity in central Ohio.

Those in the pantry network are citing significant increases in demand, while experiencing stagnant or decreased financial resources. The news of possible changes in SNAP benefits would further strain an already stressed network.

“This investment in food pantries throughout our community is one way to support organizations working hard to meet an urgent need that is growing rapidly by the day.” said Doug Kridler, President and CEO of The Columbus Foundation.

The Columbus Foundation’s Community Research and Grants Management team identified food pantries serving a wide geographic area and identified 21 organizations on the front lines of the community’s emergency food and nutrition access system.

Organizations receiving funding through this effort:

Bishop Griffin Center Society of St Vincent De Paul

Broad Street Presbyterian Church

Catholic Social Services, Inc.

Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center

Community Development for All People

Dublin Food Pantry

Gahanna Residents in Need

Gladden Community House

Healthy New Albany Inc

Healthy Worthington Resource Center & Food Pantry

HEART Food Pantry

Hilliard Food Pantry Plus

LifeCare Alliance

Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio

Neighborhood Services Inc

New Salem Baptist Church

NNEMAP Inc

St. Stephen’s Community Services Inc.

Stowe Mission of Central Ohio

Victory Ministries

Westerville Area Resource Ministry (WARM)

About The Columbus Foundation

Registration Now Open for The Big Table®, An Annual Day of Community Conversations in Central Ohio

2025-09-09T00:00:00Z

Everyone has a seat at The Big Table on Tuesday, October 21

Columbus, OH (September 9, 2025)—The Big Table®, an annual community-wide day of conversations designed to inspire civic engagement and connection, will take place on Tuesday, October 21. The Big Table is open to all central Ohio residents and organizations and there is no cost to participate. Launched by The Columbus Foundation in 2016, The Big Table is an opportunity for individuals of all ages, interests, and backgrounds to gather with fellow residents and take part in meaningful discussions about community issues.

On October 21, thousands of people are expected to participate in Big Table events throughout the region, including at Columbus Metropolitan Library branches, local community centers, neighborhood YMCAs, and more. The time and location of each Big Table conversation varies, and these convenings are free and open to the public.

Community members and organizations are also encouraged to host their own Big Table conversations by inviting a small group of people to meet at a local coffee shop, public park, house of worship, or other location to discuss community or neighborhood topics. Hosts that register on The Columbus Foundation’s website will receive a free Big Table supply kit with materials to help them facilitate their conversation.

“Whether someone has participated in The Big Table before or is getting involved for the very first time, there are many opportunities to get involved,” said Kate Oliphint, Director of the Center for HumanKindness at The Columbus Foundation. “The Big Table is all about bringing people together to make new connections, hear different perspectives, and discuss how we can work together to build a stronger, more vibrant community.”

THE BIG TABLE IN 2024: BY THE NUMBERS

More than 4,000 people participated in at least one Big Table conversation.
Participants represented 64 unique ZIP codes.
92 percent of participants said they met at least one person with a different background or perspective from their own.
93 percent said ideas or issues were discussed that led to deeper understanding of community needs, opportunities, or strengths.
99 percent said they are likely to participate in The Big Table again.
Popular conversation topics included housing, social connection, kindness, volunteerism, youth, arts, mental health, food insecurity, education, transportation, workforce, and more.

To learn more about The Big Table and to register to join or host a Big Table conversation, visit columbusfoundation.org/thebigtable.