Press Release: September 2, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:Carol Harmon
The Columbus Foundation
614/251-4000 x 113

COLUMBUS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW FUND FOR
FINANCIAL RESTRUCTURING FOR NONPROFITS 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (September 2, 2009)—The Columbus Foundation’s Governing Committee is addressing the continuing impact of the economic climate on nonprofits organizations and has announced The Fund for Financial Restructuring. The Foundation's Governing Committee approved $200,000 for the new fund at their August meeting.

The Fund for Financial Restructuring is available through a competitive grant process to nonprofits in central Ohio. It will support nonprofit leaders and their organizations as they adapt to the new economic reality facing the sector.  It was created to assist greater Columbus nonprofit organizations develop and implement proactive and creative plans to better position their organizations for long-term financial health and advancement.

The fund will support the grantees in one or more of the following areas:

  • Assessment of strategic partnerships and other forms of doing business, including shared

       services, formal affiliations, and mergers;

  • Rethinking and developing the organization’s business model and related business and financial planning; and

  • Establishing new organizational structures, systems, and operations to strengthen mission-critical activities and increase viability.


After a competitive grant application process, up to 10 organizations will receive grants ranging from $20,000 to $50,000. The grants will be announced by the Foundation in December 2009.

For additional information, please visit Go! Grants Opportunities at www.columbusfoundation.org or call 614/251-4000. 

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.orgor call 614/251-4000.