<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"><title type="text">Stories of Impact</title><subtitle type="text">Read the inspiring stories of our community, made possible by the generosity of donors.</subtitle><id>https://columbusfoundation.org/stories-of-impact</id><updated>2026-05-27T00:00:00Z</updated><link rel="alternate" href="https://columbusfoundation.org/stories-of-impact" /><entry xml:base="https://columbusfoundation.org/stories-of-impact/helping-students-find-their-path"><id>35c3fc5a-88b8-4238-8a4b-fea8d4188b84</id><title type="text">Helping Students Find Their Path</title><summary type="text">Through hands-on learning, Junior Achievement of Central Ohio is helping students explore career possibilities, build real-world financial skills, and gain the confidence to take their next steps.</summary><published>2026-05-27T00:00:00Z</published><updated>2026-06-15T13:48:32Z</updated><content type="text">Through hands-on learning, Junior Achievement of Central Ohio is helping students explore career possibilities, build real-world financial skills, and gain the confidence to take their next steps.</content></entry><entry xml:base="https://columbusfoundation.org/stories-of-impact/spreading-joy-and-generosity"><id>0b1839e2-5603-480f-bbaf-6d505ad59ddb</id><title type="text">Spreading Joy and Generosity</title><summary type="text">For the Durhams, giving is an expression of gratitude, joy, and connection. Learn how their philanthropy is helping support the community they love.</summary><published>2026-05-27T00:00:00Z</published><updated>2026-06-15T13:48:32Z</updated><content type="text">For the Durhams, giving is an expression of gratitude, joy, and connection. Learn how their philanthropy is helping support the community they love.</content></entry><entry xml:base="https://columbusfoundation.org/stories-of-impact/meeting-the-moment"><id>8130cb9c-952f-4f45-a9bb-f1f9e06cff14</id><title type="text">Meeting the Moment</title><summary type="text">Through the Emergency Response Fund II and the Center for Change Management, The Columbus Foundation is helping local nonprofits navigate urgent needs, build capacity, and remain resilient in a changing environment.</summary><published>2026-05-27T00:00:00Z</published><updated>2026-06-15T13:48:32Z</updated><content type="text">Through the Emergency Response Fund II and the Center for Change Management, The Columbus Foundation is helping local nonprofits navigate urgent needs, build capacity, and remain resilient in a changing environment.</content></entry><entry xml:base="https://columbusfoundation.org/stories-of-impact/small-scraps-big-impact"><id>36bae5a0-de79-4d22-9b60-2975dc36f54a</id><title type="text">Small Scraps, Big Impact</title><summary type="text">Since 2022, The Columbus Foundation has partnered with Compost Clubhouse to offer on-site compost collection for staff and guests, diverting more than 18,500 pounds of waste from landfills and turning everyday scraps into meaningful environmental impact.</summary><published>2026-05-27T00:00:00Z</published><updated>2026-06-15T13:48:32Z</updated><content type="text">Since 2022, The Columbus Foundation has partnered with Compost Clubhouse to offer on-site compost collection for staff and guests, diverting more than 18,500 pounds of waste from landfills and turning everyday scraps into meaningful environmental impact.</content></entry><entry xml:base="https://columbusfoundation.org/stories-of-impact/50-years-of-connecting-people-and-ideas"><id>e9a674dd-cf88-4e47-b0c9-495dbd4606b4</id><title type="text">50 Years of Connecting People and Ideas</title><summary type="text">For 50 years, Columbus Metropolitan Club has created space for thoughtful conversation, civic dialogue, and meaningful connection, bringing people together to explore the ideas shaping central Ohio’s future.</summary><published>2026-05-27T00:00:00Z</published><updated>2026-06-15T13:48:32Z</updated><content type="text">For 50 years, Columbus Metropolitan Club has created space for thoughtful conversation, civic dialogue, and meaningful connection, bringing people together to explore the ideas shaping central Ohio’s future.</content></entry><entry xml:base="https://columbusfoundation.org/stories-of-impact/a-chance-to-dream-big"><id>936bccb5-3f03-44d8-be58-23681cc0d8c4</id><title type="text">A Chance to Dream Big</title><summary type="text">In October 2024, the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland opened the AEP Foundation STEM Leadership Center and CK Construction Maker Space—a 25,000-square-foot facility that is the largest Girl Scout STEM Center in the United States.</summary><published>2026-03-11T00:00:00Z</published><updated>2026-06-15T13:48:32Z</updated><content type="text">In October 2024, the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland opened the AEP Foundation STEM Leadership Center and CK Construction Maker Space—a 25,000-square-foot facility that is the largest Girl Scout STEM Center in the United States.</content></entry><entry xml:base="https://columbusfoundation.org/stories-of-impact/a-family-united-by-purpose"><id>98e5d272-e115-4447-b5da-df6ae5865eda</id><title type="text">A Family United by Purpose</title><summary type="text">The Ransiers established the Ransier Family Fund, a Donor Advised Fund at The Columbus Foundation, in 2020 to support organizations that reflect their values and to honor Charles. Through their fund, the family has awarded grants to a variety of organizations.</summary><published>2025-09-11T00:00:00Z</published><updated>2026-06-15T13:48:32Z</updated><content type="text">The Ransiers established the Ransier Family Fund, a Donor Advised Fund at The Columbus Foundation, in 2020 to support organizations that reflect their values and to honor Charles. Through their fund, the family has awarded grants to a variety of organizations.</content></entry><entry xml:base="https://columbusfoundation.org/stories-of-impact/investing-in-opportunity"><id>46d44988-5213-4a9b-a5e0-2fef0998af31</id><title type="text">Investing in Opportunity</title><summary type="text">For many, the name White Castle is synonymous with hamburger sliders and restaurants that resemble castles. But for central Ohio nonprofits and White Castle team members across the country, the name holds a far deeper meaning. It’s a family business that values giving back to the community and invests in educational opportunities to help people achieve their dreams.</summary><published>2025-09-11T00:00:00Z</published><updated>2026-06-15T13:48:32Z</updated><content type="text">For many, the name White Castle is synonymous with hamburger sliders and restaurants that resemble castles. But for central Ohio nonprofits and White Castle team members across the country, the name holds a far deeper meaning. It’s a family business that values giving back to the community and invests in educational opportunities to help people achieve their dreams.</content></entry><entry xml:base="https://columbusfoundation.org/stories-of-impact/providing-help-in-times-of-need"><id>ba7d4acf-72b9-421c-9553-f0f8eba3a0bd</id><title type="text">Providing Help in Times of Need</title><summary type="text">The Columbus Foundation works with 28 companies to support employees in their time of need, helping businesses create customized programs while handling administrative tasks. Through the IGS Energy Employee Hardship Fund, the company provides timely, critical support to IGS Energy employees when the unexpected occurs.</summary><published>2025-09-11T00:00:00Z</published><updated>2026-06-15T13:48:32Z</updated><content type="text">The Columbus Foundation works with 28 companies to support employees in their time of need, helping businesses create customized programs while handling administrative tasks. Through the IGS Energy Employee Hardship Fund, the company provides timely, critical support to IGS Energy employees when the unexpected occurs.</content></entry><entry xml:base="https://columbusfoundation.org/stories-of-impact/driven-by-gratitude"><id>0b514bbf-9201-4028-b6a3-ac5270408110</id><title type="text">Driven by Gratitude</title><summary type="text">Wanting to be more thoughtful and strategic with their charitable giving, Chauhan and Wakelin established the Wakelin-Chauhan Family Fund, a Donor Advised Fund at The Columbus Foundation, in 2022. Through the fund, the family has generously supported numerous organizations, including those promoting the arts, education, healthcare, and more.</summary><published>2025-09-11T00:00:00Z</published><updated>2026-06-15T13:48:32Z</updated><content type="text">Wanting to be more thoughtful and strategic with their charitable giving, Chauhan and Wakelin established the Wakelin-Chauhan Family Fund, a Donor Advised Fund at The Columbus Foundation, in 2022. Through the fund, the family has generously supported numerous organizations, including those promoting the arts, education, healthcare, and more.</content></entry></feed>