Small Grants

Grantmaking Focus  

The Small Grants provides support for several areas that align with donor focus. Applicants may apply for up to $25,000; however, the majority of the grants awarded will be $1,000 to $10,000. 

 
Please note: There will be no January 2010 Small Grants deadline. Funds annually available for 2010 will be announced in February.
 
Area of Focus  Description Funds Available  Annually
Animals
  • Health, Habitat, and Care
  • Service Animals                                                                               
Arts
  • Furthering experiences in the arts, particularly visual arts for school age children in both public and private schools
Chamber Music
  • Production and preservation of chamber music (April deadline only)
Conservation
  • Enhancing the quality of life by supporting responsible use of natural resources and ensuring their availability for future generations (April deadline only)
Community Improvement
  • Historical Preservation
  • Joseph A. Jeffrey Fund  supporting beautification and community improvement  (October deadline only)
  • Civic and Public Projects

 

 

Education
  • Education Projects
  • English Teachers in Private Preparatory Schools and Colleges/Universities 
  • School to Work Transition for Students Not Going to College


     

Health
  • Mental Health
  • Children’s Mental Health
  • Family Planning
  • Family Practice Medical Education with an emphasis on Geriatric Medical Education (April deadline only) 
  • Health Education
  • Substance Abuse
Special Populations
  • Elderly
  • Deaf or Hard of Hearing
  • Terminally Ill
  • Blind or Visually Impaired
    Social Services
    • Character and Leadership Development in Youth 
    • Community Planning for Human Services
    • Domestic Violence  
    • Parent Education
    Logan County
    • Mary Eleanor Morris Fund: Religious, Educational and Charitable Programs in Logan County (July deadline only)
    Hocking/Fairfield counties
    • R. Alvin Stevenson Fund: Health and Human Services in Hocking and Fairfield counties (July deadline only)
    • Sinsel Fund: Hocking County young adults and children with hearing impairments (October deadline only)

                                         


    Grant Application Process

    QUICK LINKS

    Requirements

    • Operating support will only be considered when the applicant demonstrates continuous innovation that enhances services.
    • PowerPhilanthropy portraits are not required for this funding.
    • A copy of your organization's annual audit may be requested. Please review the Foundation's audit requirement.
    • If you are implementing your project in a Columbus City Schools building, or collaborating with the district on a project, you must request a letter of endorsement from the Office of Development. All letters of endorsement will be forwarded directly from the Columbus City School to The Columbus Foundation. Please contact Dr. John Farley, director, at jfarley@columbus.k12.oh.us.
    • Grantees must submit a final report, due 30 days following the end of the grant period.

    Publicity

    • Examples of previous grants can be found in press releases.
    • The Columbus Foundation asks all nonprofit organizations that receive funding to help promote the vital role philanthropy plays in strengthening our community, and the importance of charitable giving to your organization's effort to carry out its mission.

     

    Staff Contacts

    For questions, contact Emily Savors, esavors@columbusfoundation.org.
    For conservation, contact Lisa S. Courtice, lcourtice@columbusfoundation.org.
    For technical assistance, contact Rebecca Kraley, rkraley@columbusfoundation.org.