Press Release: September 2, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Carol Harmon
The Columbus Foundation
614/251-4000 x 113
COLUMBUS FOUNDATION GRANTS EXCEED
$1 BILLION MARK OVER ITS 66-YEAR HISTORY
COLUMBUS, Ohio (September 2, 2009)—The Columbus Foundation recently surpassed $1 billion in grants to the community, placing it among the top community foundations in the nation. The trusted philanthropic advisor to 1,700 individuals, families, and businesses in Ohio, The Columbus Foundation helps donors strengthen their communities through charitable giving.
“It is a point of civic pride that Columbus Foundation donors have worked to support so many causes so generously,” said Douglas F. Kridler, president and CEO of The Columbus Foundation. “We never forget that behind these numbers are individual stories of people who have been inspired to give generously. In the end, though, it’s about working together in small and big ways to improve our community for the benefit of all of its citizens."
The Columbus Foundation was officially established in 1943 by a group of community-minded citizens, led by Harrison M. Sayre, whose mission was to receive gifts to improve the quality of life in central Ohio. The first grant recipient was the United Hospitals Building Fund, which received a $1,000 grant in 1947 for “hospital expansion and modernization.” Since then, more than 125,000 nonprofit organizations have received funding through the Foundation thanks to donors who have created funds and foundations for current and legacy giving.
The “billionth” grant was awarded to Transit Arts, a program of Central Community House Inc. (CCH), The grant was made possible thanks to a charitable fund created by the late Lillian W. Waller. The J. Ray and Lillian Waller Fund of The Columbus Foundation supports programs that develop character and leadership of youth and young people—one of the causes the Wallers were passionate about.
The $9,000 grant will help create Paradise Café, a monthly gathering for young artists who participate in the Transit Arts program. Transit Arts was developed in 2007 to introduce youth ages 12-19 to a variety of forms of artistic self expression and develop their self-confidence. The program offers free workshops on a wide variety of interactive, multi-disciplinary arts, and provides participants with opportunities to perform and exhibit their works in professional venues throughout the city.
“Our young leaders step up their game when they know they have the power to make decisions, learn new skills, overcome their fears and showcase gifts they didn’t even know they possessed,” said Jackie Calderone, director of Transit Arts. “At every Café Paradise we see those magic moments and the joy that comes when the young person who said ‘I can’t do it!’ finally gets up on the stage and finds the courage to read a poem, sing a song, introduce a peer, or perform a dance piece.”
About The Columbus Foundation
The Columbus Foundation is the trusted philanthropic advisor to more than 1,700 individuals, families, and businesses, who have created unique charitable funds to make a difference in the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible. Serving the region over 66 years, The Columbus Foundation is one of the ten largest community foundations in the United States. The Foundation's online resource, PowerPhilanthropy®, makes it possible for donors and the public to access valuable information about central Ohio nonprofits from anywhere, at any time. PowerPhilanthropy was named one of the “Top Ten Most Innovative Ideas of 2008,” according to Washington, D.C.-based Community Wealth Ventures. For more information visit www.columbusfoundation.org or call 614/251-4000.