Read the inspiring stories of our community, made possible by the generosity of donors.https://columbusfoundation.org/stories-of-impact2026-03-11T00:00:00Z936bccb5-3f03-44d8-be58-23681cc0d8c4

In October 2024, the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland opened the AEP Foundation STEM Leadership Center and CK Construction Maker Space—a 25,000-square-foot facility that is the largest Girl Scout STEM Center in the United States.

2026-03-11T00:00:00Z2026-04-29T23:39:33ZIn October 2024, the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland opened the AEP Foundation STEM Leadership Center and CK Construction Maker Space—a 25,000-square-foot facility that is the largest Girl Scout STEM Center in the United States.98e5d272-e115-4447-b5da-df6ae5865eda

The Ransiers established the Ransier Family Fund, a Donor Advised Fund at The Columbus Foundation, in 2020 to support organizations that reflect their values and to honor Charles. Through their fund, the family has awarded grants to a variety of organizations.

2025-09-11T00:00:00Z2026-04-29T23:39:33ZThe Ransiers established the Ransier Family Fund, a Donor Advised Fund at The Columbus Foundation, in 2020 to support organizations that reflect their values and to honor Charles. Through their fund, the family has awarded grants to a variety of organizations.46d44988-5213-4a9b-a5e0-2fef0998af31

For many, the name White Castle is synonymous with hamburger sliders and restaurants that resemble castles. But for central Ohio nonprofits and White Castle team members across the country, the name holds a far deeper meaning. It’s a family business that values giving back to the community and invests in educational opportunities to help people achieve their dreams.

2025-09-11T00:00:00Z2026-04-29T23:39:33ZFor many, the name White Castle is synonymous with hamburger sliders and restaurants that resemble castles. But for central Ohio nonprofits and White Castle team members across the country, the name holds a far deeper meaning. It’s a family business that values giving back to the community and invests in educational opportunities to help people achieve their dreams.ba7d4acf-72b9-421c-9553-f0f8eba3a0bd

The Columbus Foundation works with 28 companies to support employees in their time of need, helping businesses create customized programs while handling administrative tasks. Through the IGS Energy Employee Hardship Fund, the company provides timely, critical support to IGS Energy employees when the unexpected occurs.

2025-09-11T00:00:00Z2026-04-29T23:39:33ZThe Columbus Foundation works with 28 companies to support employees in their time of need, helping businesses create customized programs while handling administrative tasks. Through the IGS Energy Employee Hardship Fund, the company provides timely, critical support to IGS Energy employees when the unexpected occurs.0b514bbf-9201-4028-b6a3-ac5270408110

Wanting to be more thoughtful and strategic with their charitable giving, Chauhan and Wakelin established the Wakelin-Chauhan Family Fund, a Donor Advised Fund at The Columbus Foundation, in 2022. Through the fund, the family has generously supported numerous organizations, including those promoting the arts, education, healthcare, and more.

2025-09-11T00:00:00Z2026-04-29T23:39:33ZWanting to be more thoughtful and strategic with their charitable giving, Chauhan and Wakelin established the Wakelin-Chauhan Family Fund, a Donor Advised Fund at The Columbus Foundation, in 2022. Through the fund, the family has generously supported numerous organizations, including those promoting the arts, education, healthcare, and more.b34ffb3f-444f-4886-85e1-6dd7caa06b9a

In 2024, Lower Lights Ministries officially opened the Lower Lights Child Enrichment Center, which now serves infants and children up to age 5. Recognizing the importance of high-quality early learning experiences for local families, The Columbus Foundation, its Supporting Foundations, and its donors awarded more than $325,000 in grants toward the project. With the Child Enrichment Center now operating, Lower Lights Ministries is helping to develop young minds so that children, too, can grow into healthy, thriving adults.

2025-09-11T00:00:00Z2026-04-29T23:39:33ZIn 2024, Lower Lights Ministries officially opened the Lower Lights Child Enrichment Center, which now serves infants and children up to age 5. Recognizing the importance of high-quality early learning experiences for local families, The Columbus Foundation, its Supporting Foundations, and its donors awarded more than $325,000 in grants toward the project. With the Child Enrichment Center now operating, Lower Lights Ministries is helping to develop young minds so that children, too, can grow into healthy, thriving adults.fca51f0d-1d68-44e0-84ce-93e70354ef63

Since 2012, Besa has been dedicated to connecting people to community service in Columbus. It collaborates with local nonprofits to help spread awareness of ongoing volunteer opportunities, as well as to help find volunteers to support specific service projects. In 2024, Besa partnered with 185 nonprofits and, since its founding, the organization has recruited more than 100,000 volunteers to support 13,000 service projects.

2025-09-11T00:00:00Z2026-04-29T23:39:33ZSince 2012, Besa has been dedicated to connecting people to community service in Columbus. It collaborates with local nonprofits to help spread awareness of ongoing volunteer opportunities, as well as to help find volunteers to support specific service projects. In 2024, Besa partnered with 185 nonprofits and, since its founding, the organization has recruited more than 100,000 volunteers to support 13,000 service projects. 7ebf6217-f64d-4243-942a-b040c9e8f680

Since 2019, The Columbus Foundation has led a human-centered design practice that helps nonprofit and social sector leaders gain a deeper understanding of our community’s assets, challenges, and needs. Done in collaboration with local nonprofits, city and regional partners, and members of the community, this innovative approach empowers individuals with firsthand experience of a community issue to help co-create solutions that promote positive change. In 2024, The Columbus Foundation’s Designing for Community Well-Being team sought to better understand why some high school students in Columbus are chronically absent from school.

2025-09-11T00:00:00Z2026-04-29T23:39:33ZSince 2019, The Columbus Foundation has led a human-centered design practice that helps nonprofit and social sector leaders gain a deeper understanding of our community’s assets, challenges, and needs. Done in collaboration with local nonprofits, city and regional partners, and members of the community, this innovative approach empowers individuals with firsthand experience of a community issue to help co-create solutions that promote positive change. In 2024, The Columbus Foundation’s Designing for Community Well-Being team sought to better understand why some high school students in Columbus are chronically absent from school. 1d60f0c7-d96b-4629-952e-39fd562954fa

In recognition of the important role the organization plays in anchoring central Ohio’s arts sector and its innovative work to inspire the community through music, ProMusica has been selected as the 2025 honoree of The Columbus Foundation Award. Established in 1979, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra is known for its exceptional artistry, audience intimacy, and community engagement.

2025-09-03T00:00:00Z2026-04-29T23:39:33ZIn recognition of the important role the organization plays in anchoring central Ohio’s arts sector and its innovative work to inspire the community through music, ProMusica has been selected as the 2025 honoree of The Columbus Foundation Award. Established in 1979, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra is known for its exceptional artistry, audience intimacy, and community engagement.90fbfc80-db42-40ef-a8e1-ec080f4ddd58

In recognition of their many contributions to the Columbus region and their exceptional leadership, the Edwards Family has been selected as the 2025 honorees of The Harrison M. Sayre Award. As a family of builders, dreamers, and doers, the Edwardses have brought new development, character, and opportunity to central Ohio.

2025-09-03T00:00:00Z2026-04-29T23:39:33ZIn recognition of their many contributions to the Columbus region and their exceptional leadership, the Edwards Family has been selected as the 2025 honorees of The Harrison M. Sayre Award. As a family of builders, dreamers, and doers, the Edwardses have brought new development, character, and opportunity to central Ohio.