The Columbus Foundation

As a high school student, Gigi participated in The Big Table® and was inspired to launch a project focused on domestic violence and gender equality.    Join your neighbors on Wednesday, September 25, for a day of meaningful community-wide conversations. Share your experiences, listen to others, and help build a kinder, more connected community.    Find a table at thebigtable.org. 

In this month’s Meeting the Moment, we spotlight one of our 2024 5 Nonprofits to Watch honorees, the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio (AHACO). In a Q&A, AHACO Executive Director Carlie J. Boos shares her insights on the opportunities and challenges in central Ohio’s housing landscape—and how we can work together to close the gaps. If you’re interested in affordable housing and the future of central Ohio, this is a must-read! 📥 Read the full newsletter and subscribe for more:

Thank you, YMCA of Central Ohio, for hosting some of our team along with other volunteers to help build a new playground for the community at the Eldon and Elsie Ward Family YMCA! Looking for a way to make a meaningful impact in our community? Volunteering your time, skills, or expertise can make a big difference in supporting the causes you care about most. Many nonprofits rely on dedicated volunteers to continue serving and strengthening our community. Not sure how to get started? Organizations like Besa make it easy to find opportunities with local nonprofits that align with your passions.

From campfire songs to zip lining, summer camp is filled with unforgettable memories. But beyond the adventure, these camps offer so much more. They are essential spaces where youth grow, learn, and develop valuable lifelong skills. In our latest blog post, we dive into the transformative benefits of summer camp and how continued support from generous donors is making these enriching programs, like those at Camp Mary Orton, accessible to more youth in our community. Discover the power of summer camp in shaping young lives: https://lnkd.in/gDmr9Vsh.

Add your voice to The Big Table® on Wednesday, September 25! Join your central Ohio neighbors for a community-wide day of conversation. Together, we can inspire a culture of connection and kindness, one conversation at a time. Registration is now open 🔗 thebigtable.org. Have you participated before? Share your favorite memory from The Big Table®!

🏅 Meet Linda Logan, whose visionary leadership is helping transform Columbus into a premier sports destination! As the CEO & President of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission and the 2024 Spirit of Columbus Award honoree, Linda shares powerful insights on leadership, community, and the role of sports in inspiring future champions. Watch the video in our latest At the Table blog to hear Linda’s inspiring words and discover what The Spirit of Columbus® Award—created to honor Jerrie Mock’s historic solo flight around the world—means to her. Click to watch and learn more: https://lnkd.in/gQ4EbkyQ.

The early years of a child’s life are crucial for development. In the third and final part of this Meeting the Moment series, Chasity Edwards, Ed.M, Director of Education Grantmaking at The Columbus Foundation, discusses the pressing issues early childhood education providers face. From rising tuition costs to underfunded childcare centers, discover the systemic challenges impacting our youngest learners:

Get ready for a weekend celebrating our community’s passion for literature, learning, and libraries at the Columbus Book Festival starting tomorrow, July 13 at 10 a.m.! Imagine the treasures you’ll discover as you browse the Friends of the Columbus Metropolitan Library Big Book Sale tent, the Official Festival Bookstore, and Indie Author Alley. Hosted by the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation and presented by Battelle, this free event is a celebration of books and our book-loving community.    Don’t forget to visit the Center for HumanKindness booth this weekend! Spin the kindness wheel and take home some swag and inspiration.    Learn more at 📚 https://lnkd.in/gua-ZrZy.

In part two of our Meeting the Moment series, Chasity Edwards, Ed.M, Director of Education Grantmaking at The Columbus Foundation, shares more about the economic realities and challenges families face due to rising childcare costs and the childcare affordability crisis in central Ohio. 📖 Read the full blog:

Introducing our new Meeting the Moment series on early childhood education in central Ohio! The early years of a child’s life are critical to their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. In part one of this three-part series, Chasity Edwards, Ed.M, Director of Education Grantmaking at The Columbus Foundation, discusses the importance of high-quality early childhood education in shaping successful futures for our youngest community members. Dive into insights about the current state of early childhood education and reflections from local leaders. Don’t miss out on parts 2 & 3—subscribe now to stay updated with our latest posts!