A community-focused fund helping central Ohio individuals and families with emergency needs.
The Gifts of Kindness Fund at The Columbus Foundation was established in September 2014 with a generous gift from the Walter Foundation. The goal is not only to provide financial support but to illustrate how acts of kindness throughout our community make a difference—and inspire others to do the same.
Make a contribution to the fund to help others in our community.
We were inspired to create the Gifts of Kindness Fund for two reasons: to provide meaningful, life-changing gifts to help lift people up during a setback, and to motivate others to participate in acts of kindness as well.
GIFTS OF KINDNESS FOUNDING DONOR
GIFTS OF KINDNESS GRANT EXAMPLES
A client experienced homelessness after being terminated from their job due to COVID-19 and leaving a domestic violence situation in their residence. Gifts of Kindness covered car payments as they continued to drive to work and live in the car while saving for an apartment.
A diabetic client's insulin, syringes, and other necessary medicine were taken during a home invasion. Gifts of Kindness covered one month of rent so that client could afford to purchase replacement medical supplies.
A client’s work hours were cut in March 2020, followed by her being furloughed. Due to an extended delay in receiving unemployment assistance, she was at risk of eviction. Gift of Kindness provided two months of rent to help her avoid eviction.
*other grants were also distributed to assist with essentials such as Wi-Fi/internet bills, storage/moving fees, and extermination treatments.
Gifts of Kindness has been life-changing for many of our Goodwill employees. It has helped homeless individuals get back on their feet and provide a roof over their head, employees have not had to worry about stable housing due to short bouts of unemployment or medical issues, and it has truly been a blessing to many of our single parents who have experienced a setback. Gifts of Kindness is ultimately responsible for helping Goodwill employees overcome barriers. Thank you!
Christi Meuser, Family Strengthening Coordinator, Goodwill Industries
FAQs
Grants from the Gifts of Kindness Fund, usually between $500-$3,000, are awarded to nonprofit partners that work with individuals and families experiencing a sudden hardship. Those funds go directly toward expenses associated with that hardship.
Often, these expenses are related to housing, transportation, and assistance with utilities. Others include, but are not limited to, medical bills, food, and clothing.
The Columbus Foundation does not apply for Gifts of Kindness on behalf of individuals. We partner with nonprofit organizations in Franklin County, Ohio to support individuals during difficult times. Please connect with one of the partner organizations, or contact Lutheran Social Services’ 211 line for referral services.
You can give to the Gifts of Kindness Fund here.
Gifts of Kindness Nonprofit Partners
Alvis
ASHA-Ray of Hope, Inc.
At Home by High
Broad Street Presbyterian Church—COMPASS
The Buckeye Ranch
Cancer Support Community Central Ohio
Catholic Social Services
The Center for Disability Empowerment Inc.
Center for Family Safety and Healing
Center for Healthy Families, Inc.
Central Community House of Columbus, Inc.
Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center
Columbus State Community College
Community Development for All People
Community Housing Network
Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS)
Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio
Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services
Families Flourish
Franklin County Family Recovery Court
Freedom a la Cart
Gladden Community House
Goodwill Columbus
Hilliard Food Pantry
Homeport
Homes for Families
Huckleberry House, Inc.
IMPACT Community Action
Jewish Family Services
JustChoice
Kindway
LifeCare Alliance
Lower Lights Ministries
Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio
Maryhaven, Inc.
The Mother Ship
Motherful
Mount Carmel Health System
NC4K
Neighborhood Services Food Pantry
New Directions Career Center
OhioGuidestone
One Dublin
One More Child – Ohio
Physicians CareConnection
Riverview International Center
Salvation Army (Central Ohio)
St. Stephen’s Community House
Star House
Thriving Beyond Breast Cancer
Urban Strategies Inc.
Volunteers of America Ohio and Indiana
Westerville Area Resource Ministry (WARM)
YMCA of Central Ohio
YWCA Columbus