Isabelle Ridgway Foundation surpasses $1 million in grants since inception
Columbus, OH (February 2, 2026)—The Isabelle Ridgway Foundation, a Supporting Foundation of The Columbus Foundation, has awarded five grants totaling $145,000 to organizations dedicated to strengthening the quality of life of older adults in central Ohio. Each of the grant recipients addresses a critical gap for older adults and is committed to advancing the independence and well-being of seniors in our region.
Isabelle Ridgway
“Isabelle Ridgway lived a life of service and was deeply committed to ensuring that older adults could age with dignity, surrounded by a caring community,” said Mark Hatcher, Esq., Chairperson of the Isabelle Ridgway Foundation. “The Isabelle Ridgway Foundation is honored to carry on her generosity by investing in organizations and projects that provide stability, compassion, and connection to local seniors.”
The 2026 Isabelle Ridgway Foundation grantees are as follows:
The African American Alzheimer’s and Wellness Association was awarded a $60,000 grant to support the organization’s community navigator program, tailored to caregivers ages 60 and older who are supporting loved ones with dementia. The program offers in-person and virtual support groups, wellness visits, mental health screenings, and culturally relevant education to reduce isolation, boost resilience, and improve caregivers’ well-being.
At Home by High received a $45,000 grant to support the organization’s operating costs and expand its reach. A grassroots nonprofit, At Home by High provides support, promotes connectedness, and enables independence for older adults through services like transportation, home repairs, technology help, and social engagement through gatherings and local outings.
Central Community House received a $15,000 grant to support its senior transportation program, which helps local seniors access essential services—like healthcare and food—and social opportunities. The senior transportation program serves hundreds of older adults on the Near East Side and South Side of Columbus, offering convenient and reliable transportation that supports independent aging.
The Ohio State University Foundation was awarded a $20,000 grant to support the 2026 Central Ohio Regional Assessment on Aging, a research project done by the Age-Friendly Innovation Center at Ohio State in partnership with the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging and the Franklin County Office on Aging. Data from the project will be used to inform local planning, program development, grant applications, and other areas to help older adults thrive.
The Seniors Tech Conference received a $5,000 grant to support scholarships to the 2026 conference for older adults who live in Franklin County. Committed to fostering digital literacy, access, and education for adults ages 55 and older, the Seniors Tech Conference is an annual initiative that features interactive workshops, hands-on computer training, one-on-one tech support, and engaging keynote sessions to help bridge the digital divide.
The Isabelle Ridgway Foundation was established to honor the legacy of Isabelle Ridgway, who founded the Old Folks Home of Franklin County in 1912 and worked diligently to meet the needs of the old, elderly, homeless, and poor. She died in 1955 at the age of 97, but her life’s work and witness continued through the Isabelle Ridgway Care Center until it was sold in 2015, and now through the Isabelle Ridgway Foundation. Since its inception in 2017, the foundation has awarded more than $1 million to help improve the quality of life of older adults in central Ohio.
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.