Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Philanthropy Partner in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus Foundation has been a trusted philanthropic advisor since 1943, dedicated to strengthening central Ohio through strategic giving. Our mission focuses on assisting donors, families, and businesses in achieving charitable goals while improving community well-being. With a history of over 80 years, we offer expertise in donor-advised funds, planned giving, and grantmaking, supported by a team of certified professionals.Our authoritativeness stems from managing over $3 billion in assets and distributing more than $200 million annually to local nonprofits. We maintain trustworthiness through transparent operations, adherence to ethical standards, and a commitment to honoring donor intent while addressing evolving community needs.
Services
Donor-Advised Funds
Planned Giving
Corporate Philanthropy
Scholarship Programs
Grant Management
Nonprofit Capacity Building
Endowment Services
Community Research
Educational Workshops
Fund Administration
Details
- Year established: 1943
Highlights and features
- We have over 80 years of experience in community philanthropy since 1943
- Our certified advisors specialize in complex estate and tax planning strategies
- We manage over $3 billion in charitable assets for long-term impact
- Our donor portal provides 24/7 access to fund management tools
- We distribute more than $200 million annually to local nonprofits and causes
Services
Donor-Advised Funds
Our donor-advised funds provide flexible philanthropy solutions that combine tax benefits with strategic giving. Donors maintain advisory privileges over investment decisions and grant recommendations while benefiting from our administrative expertise. This service supports both immediate and legacy giving through customizable fund options.
Planned Giving
We help donors create lasting impact through estate planning tools like bequests, charitable trusts, and gift annuities. Our planned giving specialists provide personalized strategies that align with donors' financial goals while supporting their favorite causes for generations to come.
Grant Management
Our grantmaking programs distribute millions annually to local nonprofits through donor-directed and strategic initiatives. We offer comprehensive grant administration services including due diligence, compliance monitoring, and impact reporting for both individual and organizational grantmakers.
Scholarship Programs
We administer over 300 scholarship funds that awarded $18 million in 2024 to students across central Ohio. Our programs support diverse educational pursuits from K-12 through graduate studies, with options for both donor-established and community-focused scholarship opportunities.
Nonprofit Capacity Building
We provide resources and training to strengthen nonprofit effectiveness through workshops, funding opportunities, and technical assistance. Our programs focus on leadership development, financial sustainability, and community engagement strategies for local nonprofit organizations.
People
Angela G. Parsons
Vice President - Donor Services
Angela G. Parsons leads donor services with 20+ years of philanthropy experience, specializing in complex estate planning and charitable fund management while maintaining CAP certification.
Dan A. Sharpe
Vice President - Community Research
Dan A. Sharpe directs community research and grants management, overseeing strategic investments that address regional challenges through data-driven philanthropy and collaborative partnerships.
Lisa M. Jolley
Senior Director - Donor Services
Lisa M. Jolley provides expert donor advisory services with legal and philanthropy credentials, focusing on creating customized giving strategies that align with donors' values and financial objectives.
Mark A. Lomax, II
Director - Arts Grantmaking
Mark A. Lomax, II leads arts and generational grantmaking, combining musical expertise with philanthropy to support cultural initiatives that reflect central Ohio's diverse creative community.
Erin Scott
Director of Capacity Building
Erin Scott directs organizational development programs that strengthen nonprofit effectiveness through tailored resources, training, and strategic support for community-serving organizations.
Questions
How can I establish a donor-advised fund?
Contact our Donor Services team to discuss your charitable goals, complete a fund agreement, and make an initial contribution of $10,000 or more.
What types of charitable funds do you offer?
We offer donor-advised funds, designated funds, field-of-interest funds, and scholarship funds with flexible options for individual donors and organizations.
How do grants get distributed to nonprofits?
Donors recommend grants through our online portal, which we process after verifying recipient eligibility and ensuring compliance with fund guidelines.
Can I support causes outside central Ohio?
Yes, our funds can support qualified nonprofits nationwide and internationally through our grantmaking network and intermediary services.
What scholarship opportunities are available?
We manage over 300 scholarship funds with varying eligibility criteria, including merit-based, need-based, and specialty programs for central Ohio students.
How are investment decisions made for funds?
We offer diversified investment options through Vanguard and approved partners, with strategies tailored to each fund's time horizon and charitable purpose.
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