News

The Columbus Foundation Awards $1.8 Million in Grants to Local Arts and Culture Organizations

2026-05-27T00:00:00Z

Columbus, OH (May 27, 2026)—The Columbus Foundation’s Governing Committee has approved more than $1.8 million in grants to arts and culture organizations in central Ohio. The grants span music, dance, theater, visual and public art, film, literary and design arts, and interdisciplinary arts organizations. A total of 75 nonprofits will receive unrestricted operating support to help meet community needs and expand arts and cultural programming.

“Central Ohio’s arts organizations do more than present great work—they create spaces for learning, connection, curiosity, and dialogue,” said Doug Kridler, President and CEO of The Columbus Foundation. “From world-class performances and exhibitions to neighborhood-based arts education and community festivals, local arts organizations ensure that creativity serves as a catalyst for a stronger, more vibrant region.”

Arts and culture grants from The Columbus Foundation support organizations whose primary mission and programs focus on the creation and presentation of performing, visual, and fine arts in Franklin County. The 2026 grant year is the first in a 3-year grant cycle in which grant recipients will be eligible for additional funding in 2027 and 2028.

ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING ARTS AND CULTURE GRANTS 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.

Save the Date: The Big Table® Returns to Central Ohio on September 29

2026-05-19T00:00:00Z

Columbus, OH (May 19, 2026)—Today, The Columbus Foundation announced that The Big Table® will take place on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Launched in 2016, The Big Table is an annual day of community-wide conversation designed to inspire authentic human connection and civic engagement. Registration opens on Thursday, August 13.

“At a time when many people feel lonely or disconnected, creating space for genuine human connection matters more than ever,” said Kate Oliphint, Director of the Center for HumanKindness at The Columbus Foundation. “The Big Table is an invitation for community members to gather, listen, and learn from one another. Through curiosity and conversation, we can better understand the challenges we face together and the opportunities ahead.”

Add to Your Calendar

Big Table conversations will take place throughout the day at locations around central Ohio, including discussions that will be open to the public. Individuals, organizations, and schools are also encouraged to host their own Big Table conversations by inviting small groups of people to gather and discuss a topic affecting the community. The Columbus Foundation will provide a free Host Guidebook and other materials to registered hosts.

In 2025, more than 5,300 people participated in The Big Table. The most common conversation topics were affordable housing, arts, civic engagement, education, food insecurity, kindness and connection, mental health, safety, transportation, and youth.

For more information, visit columbusfoundation.org/thebigtable.

About The Columbus Foundation

Columbus Youth Foundation Honors 94 “Best All-Around Students” at Columbus Clippers Game

2026-04-30T00:00:00Z

Columbus, OH (April 30, 2026)—The Columbus Youth Foundation (CYF), a Supporting Foundation of The Columbus Foundation, recognized 94 Columbus City Schools (CCS) students through the Best All-Around Student Awards, presented Wednesday evening at Huntington Park before the Columbus Clippers game. The award celebrates students’ academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, service to community, and leadership during the 2025-2026 school year.

Photos by The Columbus Foundation/Challen Brown.

Since 1985, CYF has sponsored the Best All-Around Student Awards, honoring two students representing each middle and high school in the CCS district. John Kadlic, CYF Board Member, was the keynote speaker at this year’s event. The East High School Marching Band also performed during the on-field ceremony.

“Each of these students represents talent, hard work, and a commitment to others. We’re proud to celebrate both their academic success and their leadership in their schools and in our community,” said Dr. Mark Lomax, II, Director, Arts & Generational Grantmaking at The Columbus Foundation.

CYF has a long history of helping central Ohio youth. In 1955, a group of local businessmen created CYF as a private foundation to hold the title to the Columbus Jets—a professional minor-league baseball team—and the team’s stadium in Franklinton. CYF returned all profits to the community through grants to organizations that served Columbus’ youth.

Photos by The Columbus Foundation/Challen Brown.

After the Columbus Jets dissolved and the stadium was sold, CYF’s Trustees decided to continue the foundation’s mission, and it became The Columbus Foundation’s first Supporting Foundation in 1976. Today, CYF continues to make a difference in the lives of youth from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods by providing healthy, positive opportunities to learn life lessons through recreation and sports.

Since becoming a Supporting Foundation of The Columbus Foundation, CYF has awarded more than $5 million in grants to help young people attend summer camps and participate in recreational programs.

Members of the 2026 CYF Board of Trustees are John Lowe, Chair; Archie M. Griffin, Vice Chair; John P. Kadlic; Cathy Lyttle; and Dr. Leslie C. Meyers-Joseph.

About the Columbus Youth Foundation

The Columbus Youth Foundation makes a difference in the lives of youth from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods of Columbus by providing healthy, positive opportunities to learn life lessons through recreation and sports.

About The Columbus Foundation

Renowned Keyboardist Bobby Floyd Presented With the Spirit of Columbus® Award

2026-04-24T00:00:00Z

Columbus, OH (April 24, 2026) —This evening, The Columbus Foundation presented local musician Bobby Floyd with The Spirit of Columbus® Award in recognition of his remarkable artistic achievement and contributions to the cultural life of central Ohio. Created in 2013 in honor of Jerrie Mock, the first woman to fly around the world solo, the award celebrates those in our community who exhibit bravery, determination, and inspiration through their actions.

Bobby Floyd

Floyd’s exceptional artistry as a keyboardist has earned him widespread acclaim. Born in Marion, Ohio, Floyd was shaped early in life by his father’s jazz collection and his church community, where he began performing at a young age. His natural talent and devotion to his craft launched a distinguished career that includes touring with legendary artists such as Ray Charles and Dr. John. Today, Floyd is a cherished member of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, where he continues to uplift the central Ohio community through music.

“Known for his extraordinary musicianship, this gentle giant of the keyboard is not only a crowd favorite whenever he plays, but a greatly admired colleague to the many musicians with whom he has and continues to perform,” said Doug Kridler, President and CEO of The Columbus Foundation. “His virtuosity is only matched by his humanity on and off the stage. On behalf of all the local musicians who bring so much inspiration to our community day in and day out, we celebrate this singular sensation, Bobby Floyd.”

Floyd, an Emmy Award-winning and Grammy-nominated artist, has toured extensively throughout the United States and internationally. In addition to his solo and orchestral performances with the Columbus Symphony and ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, among others, Floyd also has his own jazz trio, the Bobby Floyd Trio.

In 2019, Floyd was selected as a recipient of the Raymond J. Hanley Award, an annual award from Greater Columbus Arts Council’s Raymond J. Hanley Fund at The Columbus Foundation. The award is given to an artist who has demonstrated a high level of achievement while working for at least five years in any arts discipline in Columbus. Floyd was also inducted into Lincoln Theatre’s Walk of Fame in 2015, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to jazz.

As this year’s honoree, Floyd will be featured as part of the Spirit of Columbus wall installation at The Columbus Foundation. He also received a Jerrie, a bronze miniature of the Jerrie Mock sculpture at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, created by local artist Renate Fackler.

Mock, a pilot and mother of three who lived in Bexley, took off from Port Columbus on March 19, 1964. After 29 days, 21 stops, and more than 23,000 miles, Mock safely landed her single-engine Cessna, named “Spirit of Columbus,” back in Columbus on April 17, 1964. Mock was named the first recipient of The Spirit of Columbus® Award in 2013.

To learn more about Mock’s historic journey and to view past Spirit of Columbus Award honorees, visit columbusfoundation.org/spirit-of-columbus.

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 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