The Columbus Foundation is a community foundation and philanthropic fundraising services organization based in Columbus, Ohio. Established in 1937, it serves as a trusted philanthropic advisor to more than 3,000 individuals, families, and businesses. The Foundation is the seventh largest community foundation in the United States and operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.8B
+11.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$242.7M
-24.3% YoY
Grant Count
1,747
-2.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$139K
-22.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving the community for the benefit of all of its residents.
Primary Program Areas:
- Education
- Advancing philanthropy
- Social services
- Health
- Arts and humanities
- Neighborhood development
- Religion
- Conservation
- Gifts of kindness
Grantmaking
The Columbus Foundation operates as a donor-advised fund platform, allowing donors to direct the distribution and investment of funds.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Ohio, with additional activity in New York and California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $2.78 billion
- Total Revenue: $411.6 million
- Total Expenses: $272.7 million
- Total Liabilities: $16 million (as of 2023)
Staffing: 72 employees (as of 2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,783,783,271 | $2,487,180,715 | $2,369,457,379 |
| Revenue | $411,632,853 | $255,754,957 | $287,508,310 |
| Expenses | $272,733,262 | $342,712,374 | $299,743,646 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $172,784,443 | $105,146,638 | $81,194,190 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
129 open opportunities from Columbus Foundation
A. Gordon and Betty H. Imhoff Scholarship Grant
COLUMBUS FOUNDATION
Amount
US $6,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
All Saints Evangelical Lutheran Church Scholarship Grant
COLUMBUS FOUNDATION
Amount
More than US $500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Allen Eiry Fund Grant
COLUMBUS FOUNDATION
Amount
Approximately US $15,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Alcohol Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County ($3,000,000), 1 for the Planet Inc ($535,669), A Kid Again Inc ($355,742).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 FOR THE PLANET INC BURLINGTON, VT | CONSERVATION | $535,669 |
| 100 BLACK MEN OF GREATER WASHINGTON DC INC WASHINGTON, DC | SOCIAL SERVICES | $35,000 |
| 180 TURNING LIVES AROUND INC HAZLET, NJ | SOCIAL SERVICES | $50,000 |
| 2ND & 7 COLUMBUS, OH | ADVANCING PHILANTHROPY | $24,450 |
| 2ND CHANCE MINISTRIES COLUMBUS, OH | SOCIAL SERVICES | $5,500 |
| 3RD AND GOAL FOUNDATION COLUMBUS, OH | SOCIAL SERVICES | $5,250 |
| 4 PAWS FOR ABILITY INC XENIA, OH | SOCIAL SERVICES | $22,284 |
| 911 DAY IRVINE, CA | SOCIAL SERVICES | $22,500 |
| 934 INC DBA 934 GALLERY COLUMBUS, OH | ARTS AND HUMANITIES | $11,000 |
| A GRIFFIN LEGACY FOUNDATION LIMA, OH | EDUCATION | $7,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Douglas F. Kridler - Principal Officer
- Ann Airey - President
- Angela Parsons - Vice President of Donor Services
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLARK KELLOGG | CHAIRPERSON/TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JEFFREY W EDWARDS | VICE CHAIRPERSON/TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| GEORGE S BARRETT | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| LISA INGRAM | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JANE GROTE ABELL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KATIE WOLFE LLOYD | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM J HICKS II MD | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MARCHELLE E MOORE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MATTHEW A SCANTLAND | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DOUGLAS F KRIDLER | PRESIDENT & CEO | 50 | $905,239 |
| SCOTT G HEITKAMP | VICE PRESIDENT & CFO | 50 | $318,492 |
| ANGELA G PARSONS | VICE PRESIDENT OF DSD | 40 | $267,008 |
| DAN SHARPE | VICE PRESIDENT CRGM | 40 | $239,341 |
| JOHN B BRITTON | DIR. OF PLANNED GVG. & GNL | 40 | $259,159 |
| STEVEN MOORE | CHIEF OF STAFF | 40 | $204,088 |
| GREGG OOSTERBAAN | VICE PRESIDENT OF INFORMAT | 40 | $194,424 |
| TESS TANNEHILL | SENIOR ADVISOR AND ASSOC. | 40 | $220,117 |
| NIKKI SCARPITTI | EXEC. DIR., WALTER FOUNDATIONS | 40 | $189,154 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation has announced multiple grant initiatives in recent periods:
The Columbus Foundation Announces $750000 In Grants To ...$750,000 in grants to support local nonprofits addressing healthcare access and delivery
Local health care nonprofits awarded $750K from The Columbus Foundation$500,000 in grants to help area food pantries
Columbus Foundation awards $500,000 in grants to help area food pantriesGrants from the Isabelle Ridgway Foundation to strengthen services for older adults in Central Ohio
The Columbus Foundation Announces $750000 In Grants To ...Arts and Culture Grants program providing operating and program support
Arts and Culture Grants | The Columbus FoundationThe Foundation continues to develop new capacity-building resources for nonprofits, including support for organizations navigating funding shifts, program realignment, technology adoption, workforce pressures, partnerships, and mergers.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Columbus Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving the community for the benefit of all of its residents. **Primary Program Areas:** • Education • Advancing philanthropy • Social services • Health • Arts and humanities • Neighborhood development • Religion • Conservation • Gifts of kindness
How do I apply for a grant from Columbus Foundation?
The Columbus Foundation operates as a donor-advised fund platform, allowing donors to direct the distribution and investment of funds. **Grant Activity:** • Made 906+ grants in 2024, totaling approximately $222.95 million • Typical award ranges from $5,010 to $55,209,000 • Recent major grants include: • $21.8 million to The Huntington Foundation (Advancing Philanthropy) • $11.7 million to Ohio State University Foundation (Education) • $9.7 million to Nationwide Children's Hospital (Health) The …
Where does Columbus Foundation make grants?
The Foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Ohio, with additional activity in New York and California.
What size grants does Columbus Foundation award?
In 2024, Columbus Foundation awarded 1,747 grants totaling $242.7M — an average of about $139K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Columbus Foundation's EIN?
Columbus Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-6044264. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Columbus Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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