Columbus, OH (June 16, 2023)—The Columbus Foundation is pleased to announce participants in its 2023 Summer Fellowship Program.
Launched in 2010, the 10-week program provides college students, recent college graduates, and graduate students the opportunity for “real-world” experiences while building the organizational capacity of central Ohio nonprofits. A total of 13 organizations and 13 Fellows were selected to participate this year, with each Fellow receiving a $6,350 stipend for their work.
“Now in its 14th year, The Columbus Foundation’s Summer Fellowship Program continues to help ready the next generation of nonprofit leaders by offering unique, immersive experiences to students while also supporting the remarkable work of nonprofits in our community,” said Dr. Mark A. Lomax, II, Director of Arts & Generational Grantmaking at The Columbus Foundation. “We look forward to supporting this year’s Fellows and seeing how their work will positively impact our region.”
2023 Summer Fellows
2023 Summer Fellows and Nonprofits:
- At Home By High—Danielle Starks of Columbus, and a student at Columbus State Community College, will help increase community awareness through the planning and implementation of a sustainable social media strategy.
- Cartoon Crossroads Columbus—Adian Dobyns of Columbus, and a recent graduate of The Ohio State University, will support staff in the development of a robust volunteer database.
- Central Community House— Jennatta Mensah of Columbus, and a student at Otterbein University, will support staff through event planning, increasing earned income, and implementation of a marketing strategy. Jennatta has been selected as the 2023 Linda Bowers Memorial Summer Fellow.
- Equitas Health—Nathanial Conway of Columbus, and a student at The Ohio State University, will assist with agency coordination and representation at LGBTQ+ Pride events around the state.
- Green Columbus—Kenzie LeBrun of Westerville, and a recent graduate of Wheaton College, will assist with the community urban tree initiative in the Linden and Hilltop communities working to support canopy restoration.
- Jewish Family Services—Ruby Lorbert of Gahanna, and a student at The Ohio State University, will develop and implement a marketing and engagement plan for stewarding and acknowledging partners, funders, and program partners.
- Leveling the Playing Field—Ryan Walker of Pickerington, and a recent graduate of Otterbein University, will support the launch of the new central Ohio site.
- Ohio Designer Craftsmen—Lily Kate Harpham of Columbus, and a recent graduate of the College of Wooster, will be the assistant camp coordinator for campers ages 6-17, helping with the development, planning, and implementation of summer programs. Lily has been selected as the 2023 Richard H. Oman Fellow.
- PrimaryOne Health—Rose Arkus of Columbus, and a graduate student at The Ohio State University, will develop outreach and implementation strategies for behavioral health programs at two school-based health centers.
- Riverview International Center—Elisabeth Cobbs of Columbus, and a recent graduate of The Ohio State University, will lead the summer program for elementary children and the summer reading program for middle school students.
- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio—Maddie Murch of New Albany, and a student at the University of South Carolina, will support the Cause Marketing campaign by creating a sustainable marketing campaign, securing new corporate partners, and executing the strategy.
- St. Vincent Family Center—Sarah Weglarz of Powell, and a student at The Ohio State University, will serve as the Summer Activity Enrichment Coordinator to develop and implement a summer activity program that will promote social-emotional skills for SVFS children with mental health and behavioral health diagnoses.
- We Amplify Voices—Gigi Cox of Columbus, and a student at The Ohio State University, will support summer camp programming as the activity enrichment coordinator.
Read the fellows' blog to stay up to date with their experiences this summer.
Learn more about the Summer Fellowship Program.
About The Columbus Foundation
The Columbus Foundation, one of the top 10 community foundations in the United States, serves thousands of individuals, families, and businesses that have created unique funds and planned gifts to make a difference in the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible.