Press Release: August 24, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carol Harmon, 614/251-4000 x 113

COLUMBUS FOUNDATION AWARDS MORE THAN $600,000
TO CREATE A HEALTHIER CENTRAL OHIO

The Columbus Foundation Announces Health Grants

COLUMBUS, Ohio (August 24, 2007)—The Columbus Foundation is awarding $603,650 to improve the lives of local citizens through grants for 17 health programs in central Ohio. The grants were approved from unrestricted and field of interest funds by the Governing Committee of The Columbus Foundation at its July 31 meeting.

“The Columbus Foundation is focused on creating a healthier community by increasing access to health care for central Ohioans,” said Lisa Schweitzer Courtice, Ph.D., vice president for Community Research and Grants Management. “Together with our donors, the Foundation is making a difference by supporting programs that address important physical and emotional health issues in our community.”

A unique project receiving Columbus Foundation support is a joint venture between two central Ohio nonprofit organizations. The Central Ohio Breathing Association will receive $20,000 to implement a shared services model with the Central Ohio Diabetes Association that includes hiring a shared staff person and instituting a shared billing-for-services system. The primary goals of the project are to reduce organizational operating costs and better serve the needs of the central Ohio community.

The Central Ohio Breathing Association provides education and prevention programs and services on the management of lung health and lung disease, including tobacco cessation and prevention programs, lung health support programs, and health education and disease case management services for vulnerable populations with asthma and chronic pulmonary lung disease. The Central Ohio Diabetes Association provides direct services to adults and children including detection and prevention services as well as disease management. 

Through its competitive grantmaking, The Columbus Foundation supports projects that have a significant impact on central Ohio’s greatest needs. The grants are made possible by donors working with the Foundation to make a difference through the most effective philanthropy possible.

Other grants approved by the board include:

Access HealthColumbus, $80,000 to expand the supply of primary care services.

Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County, $35,000 to design and conduct an evaluation of a behavioral health intervention strategy to reduce behavioral problems involving Somali students at the Mifflin International Middle School Welcome Center.

Center of Vocational Alternatives, $38,900 to evaluate a feasibility study for a program to train forensic peer specialists and work with potential employers to create opportunities for ex-offenders to enter the behavioral health system workforce.

Central Ohio Breathing Association, $20,000 to provide an on-site health clinic for Home Energy Assistance Program clients served by the organization.

Childhood League, Inc., $21,690 to support a mental health therapist position to provide services for children and families enrolled in the Help Me Grow Home Visitation program.

Children’s Hunger Alliance, $40,000 to support general operating expenses.

Columbus Speech and Hearing Center, $29,000 to establish The SPOT Shop, a lending library to provide educational materials and therapeutic equipment to parents of children whom receive services from the organization.

Directions for Youth and Families, $29,600 to purchase supplies and equipment, and to consult with a dietician, allowing the implementation of a nutrition and exercise program at the Ohio Avenue Center. 

Goodwill Columbus, $30,260 to support a comprehensive health and wellness program for individuals with disabilities and the staff members who serve them.

Franklin County Board of Health, $25,000 to recruit, train, and certify 500 community volunteers to serve as members of the Franklin County and Columbus Medical Reserve Corps to respond during community disasters.

Lower Lights Christian Health Center, $50,000 to hire two full-time bilingual staff, a medical assistant and an office receptionist, to support the recently hired, bilingual physician.

OhioHealth Foundation, $25,000 to support additional interpretation services, translation of health educational materials, cultural competency staff training, and patient incentives to better service the Somali and Hispanic immigrant populations at two far westside clinics.

Ohio Hispanic Coalition, $50,000 for a nuturition and disease prevention education program for at-risk Hispanic/Latino families.

Ohio State University Research Foundation, $68,000 to support phase 2 and phase 3 of a type 2 diabetes screening program for children ages 11–13 in the 43207 zip code. 

Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio, $23,200 to launch a three-year development project to increase resources available for central Ohio residents from low-income households.

POEM, Inc., $18,000 to provide support to develop marketing materials, volunteer training and orientation materials, and to implement a volunteer recruitment program.

The Columbus Foundation is the trusted philanthropic advisor to nearly 1,600 individuals, families, and businesses, who have created funds to make a difference in the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible. Serving the central Ohio region for 64 years, The Columbus Foundation is a resource for philanthropic strategy and community knowledge and is a partner in improving central Ohio. With assets of $1 billion, The Columbus Foundation is one of the ten largest community foundations in the United States today.

For more information about The Columbus Foundation, call 614/251-4000.