Columbus Urban League
Columbus Urban League is a public charity based in Columbus, Ohio, formed in 1918. It creates opportunity and access through economic, educational, and social progress, with programs focused on career pathways, financial empowerment, entrepreneurship, youth, and housing stability.
Columbus Urban League at a glance
In short: Columbus Urban League gave $250K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $250K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $250,000
- +100.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $250,000
- +100.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $250,000
- Total assets
- $14,806,411
- -1.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Ohio (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Columbus Urban League
- Contact
Mailing address: 788 Mt Vernon Ave, Columbus, OH 43203
Phone: (614) 257-6300
Website: https://cul.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Columbus Urban League
CARES Act Human Services Grants - Columbus Urban League Award
Columbus Urban League
Amount
$200,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Equity Fund - Minority Business Grants
Columbus Urban League
Amount
$2,000,000 total ($1,600,000 in grants + $400,000 in technical assistance)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Home Stabilization Program
Columbus Urban League
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Columbus Urban League funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Freedom Equity Inc ($250K).
Grant Size Distribution
134 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 114 grants of 134 (85%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization is based in Columbus and describes its work as serving Central Ohio. Its reported 2025 grant dollars went entirely to an Ohio recipient.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Columbus Urban League gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−20%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $125K (2023) to $2.4M (2021). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $250K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom Equity Inc Columbus, OH | Women of Color Starting Businesses | $250,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $14,806,411 | $13,525,823 | $14,994,210 | $250,000 | 1 | $28,972 |
| 2024 | $15,008,592 | $14,392,357 | $17,300,804 | $125,000 | 1 | $124,636 |
| 2023 | $18,424,914 | $26,836,436 | $22,172,922 | $125,000 | 1 | $54,861 |
| 2022 | $12,884,662 | $21,875,735 | $16,168,823 | $312,000 | 32 | — |
| 2021 | $7,906,286 | $13,726,447 | $13,334,031 | $2,407,888 | 99 | — |
| 2020 | $5,668,133 | $7,400,917 | $6,983,762 | — | — | — |
| 2019 | $4,796,312 | $7,358,565 | $7,246,158 | — | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is to create opportunity and access for all people through economic, educational, and social progress. Its stated vision is a region where everyone is supported, can reach their potential, and contribute to the greater good.
Programs described in its filing and on its website include career services and workforce development, entrepreneurship and small-business services, financial empowerment, Head Start, youth programs, and housing services. Its 2023 filing says it supported development of offices and community space by Zora’s House. Its website also describes emergency housing services, including a Housing Accelerator initiative.
The organization’s 2025 filing reports a $250,000 grant to Freedom Equity Inc. The grantee describes itself as a community development financial institution that lends to Black-owned small businesses in Central Ohio, with a mission to improve the accessibility and affordability of capital.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Columbus Urban League reported one grant totaling $250,000; the grant’s smallest, largest, and median amount were all $250,000. The grant went to Freedom Equity Inc. in Columbus for “Women of Color Starting Businesses.” The 2024 filing reported one grant totaling $125,000, and the 2023 filing reported one grant totaling $125,000. The 2023 filing narrative also describes support for Zora’s House to develop offices and community space, without stating an amount in that narrative.
The Home Stabilization Program provides emergency housing assistance to help families avoid eviction. The CARES Act Human Services Grants entry describes a $200,000 award to Columbus Urban League from the City of Columbus and Franklin County; that is funding received by the organization, not a grant it made. Right to Recover provided financial assistance to eligible low-wage workers, and its stated deadline of December 31, 2020 has passed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The website identifies Stephanie Hightower as President and Chief Executive Officer. The 2025 filing lists the following officers and directors: Jim Negron, Board Chair; Hussein Awada, Board Treasurer; Kendall White, CULYP President; Darren Sheppard, At Large; and board members Beth Murphy, Brandon Nelson, Giavonni Lucas, Melissa Blount-Garner, Melissa Stimac, and Monica Oliverio.
Columbus Urban League is led by Stephanie Hightower, Chief Executive Officer since 2025 (on filings since 2019); 6 of 22 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Stephanie Hightower
Chief Executive Officer
President & CEO → Chief Executive Officer, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$168K (2019) → $401K (2025)
Kendall White
Culyp President
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Negron
Board Chair
Vice Chair → Vice Chair & Chair, 2022
Vice Chair & Chair → Board Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mario Hall
Director of Grants Compliance
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$131K (2025)
Christina Boulding
Vice President of Advancement
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$130K (2023) → $135K (2025)
Kesha Garrett
Chief Operating Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$182K (2025)
Lorenzo Brent
Assistant Vice President of Financial Empowerment Serv
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$119K (2025)
Tawanna Williams
Assistant Vice President Regional Campus
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$131K (2025)
Nichole Barnes Marshall
Board Vice Chair
Board Member → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Board Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Darren Sheppard
At Large
Board Member → At Large, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brandon Nelson
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hussein Awada
Board Treasurer
Board Member → Board Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beth Murphy
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Giavonni Lucas
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Stimac
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Shaw
Board Secretary
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Viren Patel
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Jefferson
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Blount-Garner
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Monica Oliverio
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tristan Hall
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry Walker
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (29)
- Former: Mary Love (2019–2024) — Senior Accountant
- Former: Mark Halpin (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Nazree Gore (2022–2024) — Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Jeaneen Hooks (2023–2024) — Assistant Vice President of Financial Complianc
- Former: Jennifer McKenzie (2023–2024) — Assistant Vice President of Programming
- Former: Joi Armstrong (2024) — Director of Human Resources
- Former: Keira Chatman (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Maude Hill (2024) — Assistant Vice President of Community & Public Relations
- Former: O'Neal Saunders (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Stephanie Green (2019–2023) — Board Secretary
- Former: Timothy Tokish Jr. (2019–2023) — Board Treasurer
- Former: Vinita Clements (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Salil Verma (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Charles Hill (2023) — Vice President of Operations & Programming
- Former: Leland Bass (2023) — Director & Apprenticeship Services
- Former: Terry Young (2023) — Director of Finance & Compliance
- Former: J. Todd Williams (2019–2022) — Chair
- Former: Ralph Smithers Jr. (2019–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Takeysha Shappard Cheney (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Patrick Hamrock (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Qiana Williams (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Thomas Puleri (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Melinda Carter (2021–2022) — Senior Vice President & Chief of Programs
- Former: Mary Love Cfo (2022) — Vice President · Filing note: Until 322
- Former: Nick Bankston (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Kimberly Blackwell (2019) — Vice Chair
- Former: Philip Smith (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Ramon Gregory (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Sandy Keller (2019) — 2nd Vice Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $401K, to Stephanie Hightower (Chief Executive Officer). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Columbus Urban League
How much does Columbus Urban League give each year?
Columbus Urban League gave $250K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $125K across 1 grant.
How large is Columbus Urban League?
Columbus Urban League reported $14.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $13.5M.
What does Columbus Urban League fund?
The organization’s mission is to create opportunity and access for all people through economic, educational, and social progress. Its stated vision is a region where everyone is supported, can reach their potential, and contribute to the greater good. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Columbus Urban League?
Columbus Urban League has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check cul.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does Columbus Urban League make grants?
The organization is based in Columbus and describes its work as serving Central Ohio. Its reported 2025 grant dollars went entirely to an Ohio recipient.
What is Columbus Urban League's EIN?
Columbus Urban League's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-4379453. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 7, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Columbus Urban League's focus areas in our free grants database
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Columbus Urban League down — hundreds of funders to go?