Press Release: April 29, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMMUNITY WEALTH VENTURES NAMES THE COLUMBUS FOUNDATION'S
POWERPHILANTHROPY ONE OF THE "TOP TEN MOST INNOVATIVE IDEAS OF 2008"
Columbus, OH (April 29, 2009)—The Columbus Foundation’s PowerPhilanthropy®, an online giving resource connecting donors with central Ohio nonprofits, has been named one of “Top Ten Most Innovative Ideas of 2008” by Washington, D.C.-based Community Wealth Ventures (CWV). A national organization, CWV helps generate new resources for the social sector using business ventures and corporate partnerships.
“We are proud to be recognized by Community Wealth Ventures for the impact that PowerPhilanthropy is making in our community,” said Columbus Foundation President and CEO Douglas F. Kridler. “PowerPhilanthropy gives everyone access to information about hundreds of central Ohio nonprofit organizations. It’s a valuable tool that can inform your giving choices and strengthen our community.”
PowerPhilanthropy offers donors detailed information in easy-to-read portraits of more than 460 nonprofit organizations located in central Ohio. More than 6,000 people are registered users of PowerPhilanthropy. Last year, two “Match Day” campaigns helped raised more than $2 million for central Ohio nonprofits. In March, 20 nonprofits providing emergency food and shelter to central Ohioans received more than $1.5 million thanks to gifts from Columbus Foundation donors and the donations made by the community through PowerPhilanthropy.
“PowerPhilanthropy’s innovative use of technology to dramatically simplify the giving process for interested donors stood out in our search for innovative ideas,” said Suzanne Steffens, senior consultant, Community Wealth Ventures. “With the economic recession and foundation endowments shrinking, PowerPhilanthropy has found a way to engage the everyday person to become a philanthropist, equipping them with the information they need to make informed decisions around their giving.”
PowerPhilanthropy was launched by The Columbus Foundation in February 2008.
About The Columbus Foundation
The Columbus Foundation is the trusted philanthropic advisor to nearly 1,700 individuals, families, and businesses, who have created unique funds to make a difference in the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible. Serving the region for 65 years, The Columbus Foundation is one of the ten largest community foundations in the United States today. The Foundation's online resource, PowerPhilanthropy®, makes it possible everyone to access valuable information and give to support central Ohio nonprofits.
PowerPhilanthropy was recently named one of the “Top Ten Most Innovative Ideas for 2008” by the Washington D.C.-based
Community Wealth Ventures. Visit
http://www.columbusfoundation.org for more information.
About Community Wealth Ventures
Community Wealth Ventures, a subsidiary of Share Our Strength, is a consulting firm that works to generate new resources for the social sector using business ventures and corporate partnerships. Community Wealth Ventures provides consulting services for a broad range of clients in the nonprofit, corporate, and foundation communities. Visit http://www.communitywealth.com for more information.