Specialties
The Columbus Foundation serves more than 2,500 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. Nearly 75 years strong, The Columbus Foundation is Your Trusted Philanthropic Advisor® and the eighth largest community foundation in the United States. The Foundation's Giving Store is a one-stop shop for easy and effective philanthropy.
History
Established in 1943.
Nearly 75 years ago, a group of passionate citizens, led by Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.
The first unsolicited gift of $25 was from Olga Anna Jones, Columbus' first city councilwoman. Today, the Foundation serves as Your Trusted Philanthropic Advisor® to more than 2,500 individuals, families, and businesses with unique charitable funds. Grants are made from these funds according to donors' wishes and support a wide range of initiatives.
The Columbus Foundation, once an acorn, has flourished into an oak tree of stature and strength for the central Ohio community. Today, we are the eighth largest community foundation in the United States, managing $2.01 billion in assets and awarding more than $2.06 billion to a wide range of philanthropic interests.