Columbus’ True Originals
Celebrating those in our city who expand the horizons of Columbus through groundbreaking, original work.
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Meet the 2025 Summer Fellows
The Columbus Foundation is pleased to announce the 2025 Summer Fellowship participants and nonprofit host sites. Since 2010, the program has connected young leaders with meaningful, hands-on experience in the nonprofit sector.
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Read Our Newsletter: NEXUS!
From launching a national walking group to support patient health to advancing learning opportunities for central Ohio’s youth, this issue of NEXUS highlights the latest happenings at The Columbus Foundation.
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2025 Spirit of Columbus Award honoree!
Discover how Dr. David Harrison, President of Columbus State Community College, is addressing workforce challenges, expanding access to higher education, and increasing opportunities for individuals and families in central Ohio.
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Kindness in Action
A small act of kindness can have a big impact. Help local individuals and families overcome unexpected hardships by supporting the Gifts of Kindness Fund.
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Support the Causes You Care About!
Search by name or browse by category to find more than 1,200 area nonprofit organizations to support.
EXPLORE THE GIVING STORE
Search our website to find just what you need.
Spirit of the Day
The Big Table® returns on October 21, 2025—join a community-wide day of conversation to help build a kinder, more connected central Ohio.
Since 2016, thousands of central Ohioans have gathered for a day of community-wide conversation. Whether you're hosting a table or joining a public conversation, your voice helps build a kinder, more connected region where everyone has a seat at the table.
Mark your calendar and learn more at columbusfoundation.org/thebigtable.
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WE LOVE OUR
SMART + OPEN
COMMUNITY!
SMART + OPEN
COMMUNITY!
Community
Meet 5 nonprofits helping to strengthen our community.
Spirit
Meet Linda Logan, CEO & President of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission and the 2024 Spirit of Columbus Award honoree!
Meet Linda Logan, CEO & President of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission and the 2024 Spirit of Columbus Award honoree! Learn how her visionary leadership has helped Columbus become a top sports destination and her thoughts on the role of sports in community building and inspiring future champions. Read our latest At the Table blog here.
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Philanthropy News
Discussing 2024 Harrison M. Sayre Award honoree Betsy Rueb and her remarkable $55 million gift and its monumental impact on the community.
Ann Fisher, former host of WOSU's All Sides with Ann Fisher, recently sat down with Clark Kellogg, Chairperson of The Columbus Foundation Governing Committee, and Angela Parsons, JD, CAP®, Vice President of Donor Services at The Columbus Foundation, to discuss 2024 Harrison M. Sayre Award honoree Betsy Rueb's remarkable $55 million gift and its monumental impact on the community.
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Philanthropy News
Meet The Columbus Foundation Award honoree, The Center for Healthy Families!
The Columbus Foundation Award – 2024 Honoree
The Center for Healthy Families
Created in 1986, The Columbus Foundation Award recognizes organizations that have made a difference in the quality of life in our community. This year’s Columbus Foundation Award was presented to The Center for Healthy Families. Founded in 2007, The Center for Healthy Families is dedicated to elevating the agency of girls and young women—including pregnant and parenting teens and young adults—to have healthy, thriving lives by surrounding them with a network of care and support.
Recently, The Columbus Foundation sat down with Toshia Safford, President and CEO of The Center for Healthy Families, along with two of the organization’s participants—Bethany and Binta—to learn more about how The Center for Healthy Families is transforming lives and building healthy families.
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Philanthropy News
Celebrating the remarkable generosity of the 2024 Harrison M. Sayre Award Honoree, Betsy Rueb.
The Harrison M. Sayre Award – 2024 Honoree
Betsy Rueb
Given in honor of Harrison M. Sayre, The Columbus Foundation’s founder and 25-year volunteer director, The Harrison M. Sayre Award recognizes leadership in philanthropy in central Ohio. For her immense generosity and historic gift to the community, Betsy Rueb was named the 2024 honoree of The Harrison M. Sayre Award.
After many years of living simply and investing wisely, Betsy passed away 2023, leaving her assets to The Columbus Foundation to establish an endowed scholarship fund to support promising students throughout central Ohio who may lack financial resources to continue their education. Through the fund, Betsy’s legacy will live on, improving the lives of students and their families in perpetuity.
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News & Reports
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The Annual Report captures community initiatives, stories, and more—all made possible by generous donors!
The Annual Report captures community initiatives, donor stories, the year by the numbers, and more—all made possible by generous donors!
Story of Impact
The Columbus Foundation has invested in the neighborhood through numerous grants that support the arts, youth services, workforce developmen
The Columbus Foundation has invested in the neighborhood through numerous grants that support the arts, youth services, workforce development, housing, social connection, and more. This whole-neighborhood approach is designed to expand opportunity and improve the quality of life among individuals and families living on the Near East Side.
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Story of Impact
With deep roots in the community, the Junior League of Columbus has worked alongside The Columbus Foundation for many years.
With deep roots in the community, the Junior League of Columbus has worked alongside The Columbus Foundation for many years. The organization was among the first nonprofits to create an Organization Endowment Fund at The Columbus Foundation, establishing the Junior League Fund in 1957.
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Story of Impact
Inspired by Roberta Jones-Booth, her family established the Roberta Jones Booth Scholarship Fund in 2004.
Inspired by Roberta Jones-Booth's love and unwavering support of her community, family and friends, her family established the Roberta Jones Booth Scholarship Fund in 2004. The scholarship supports students who are graduating seniors from Marion Franklin High School or who reside within the Marion Franklin Civic Association boundaries.
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Story of Impact
In 2005, Barbara Brandt established the Brandt Family Next Generation Fund, initially allocating $250 a year to each grandchild to grant to
In 2005, Barbara Brandt established the Brandt Family Next Generation Fund, initially allocating $250 a year to each grandchild to grant to a nonprofit of their choice. However, before they could donate to their selected nonprofits, Barbara stipulated that the grandchildren first conduct research on the organizations.
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Story of Impact
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In 1993, J.W. established the John W. Wolfe Permanent Administrative Fund at The Columbus Foundation to provide ongoing support for the oper
In 1993, J.W. established the John W. Wolfe Permanent Administrative Fund at The Columbus Foundation to provide ongoing support for the operation of the Foundation. Over the past three decades, the fund has helped The Columbus Foundation remain a welcoming place for donors, nonprofit leaders, and community members, including supporting the development and maintenance of the Foundation’s beautiful grounds.
Community
As you build your story, be inspired by these…
Story of Impact
The Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH) is building a new crisis care center to provide hope for adults experie
Thanks to unwavering support from the community, the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH) is building a new crisis care center to provide hope for adults experiencing a mental health and/or addiction crisis. When it opens in spring 2025, it will provide a person-centered approach to crisis care and offer a comprehensive range of services designed to meet an individual’s unique needs.
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Story of Impact
The Columbus Foundation, its Supporting Foundations, and its donors have long supported Catholic Social Services through a variety of grants
The Columbus Foundation, its Supporting Foundations, and its donors have long supported Catholic Social Services through a variety of grants—including targeted investments to support the operation and renovation of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Center, increase recruitment for the Foster Grandparent Program, and help launch the pilot of Stay the Course®, among numerous other investments.
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Community
Discover how Mansion Day School, one of The Columbus Foundation’s 5 Nonprofits to Watch in 2024, fosters academic excellence and lifelong le
Discover how Mansion Day School, one of The Columbus Foundation’s 5 Nonprofits to Watch in 2024, fosters academic excellence and lifelong learning. Located in Columbus' Near East Side, this coeducational school builds strong educational, social, and cultural foundations for preschool through 5th-grade students in a diverse, nurturing environment.
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Community
Listen to a special podcast featuring local artists Charlotte McGraw and AJ Vanderelli to learn about WAV’s Community CREATurEs workshops.
One of the 5 Nonprofits to Watch in 2024, WAV empowers underrepresented voices in our community through creativity and collaboration.
Listen to a special podcast featuring local artists Charlotte McGraw and AJ Vanderelli to learn how WAV’s Community CREATurEs workshops are fostering connection and healing through art.
LISTEN HERE