Scholarship Funds

Scholarship funds are often created by individuals, and families to honor or memorialize a loved one. They also establish a legacy of generosity and help students pursue their passions. Corporations can establish a scholarship fund to honor or to memorialize an employee, or support their corporate goal by giving back to the community that has contributed to their success. 

Why choose a scholarship fund?

  • Choose the asset you wish to donate and make an irrevocable gift of $10,000 or more to The Columbus Foundation. You receive an immediate income tax deduction for the value of your gift.
  • You decide how and where assets will be invested. (We offer you over 20 choices of banks and brokerages). Transfer your assets to The Columbus Foundation.
  • Name your fund and establish the selection process and eligibility criteria. This may include a specific course of study; graduation from a particular high school; attendance at a specific college, university or vocational school; extracurricular activities; character; or financial need. Our Scholarship Administrator is always available to guide you through these selections.
  • Determine the number of annual scholarships to be awarded and designate your selection committee.
  • The Columbus Foundation will send scholarship awards to your chosen recipients as outlined in your selection process and handle all of the adminitrative details, so you don't have to.

A Scholarship fund is a unique fund you create to help others advance their education. You help determine the eligibility and selection criteria, award amount, and selection committee, along with creating your unique fund name.

Scholarship Funds can be opened with a minimum initial gift of $10,000. You may make this gift in cash, securities or other assets. Your gift may qualify for a tax deduction and you will get quarterly fund journals that will outline any gifts made to your fund, any interest earned, any fees assigned and any grants made.

Once your fund has been established, you will be able to choose an investment agent from our list of 29 investment options. Each of our investment agents invests more than $1 million of our assets and has been approved by our investment committee.

There are two fees associated with each of our funds: one is our administrative fee which is based on the type of fund and the fund balance; and the other is the investment agent fee.

We encourage our donors to add to their funds whenever they would like. If you are thinking of holding a fundraiser, please see our fundraising policy for funds. 

Donors can choose a specific dollar amount, percentage of the fund, or other methods to determine how much money from their fund is available for scholarships in a given year. 

Ready to pursue your passion? Discover scholarship opportunities now available.

To learn more, contact a member of our Donor Services team at 614/251-4000 by e-mail. Or, if you are interested in becoming a donor, please complete this brief Become a Donor form and a Donor Services officer will respond within the next business day.