Best Columbus Grants for Nonprofits in Ohio

The Columbus Foundation

In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

Opportunity Youth Grants

Funds recreational programs benefiting youth and ensure that all young people enter adulthood prepared to pursue opportunities to live well.

In 2015, The Columbus Foundation commissioned a research report from Jobs for the Future to better understand the challenges youth and young adults in Franklin County ages 18 to 24 were facing. At that time, it was found that 20,500 young people, referred to as opportunity youth, were not on track to graduate and/or were disconnected from society. This presented an opportunity for our community to reach out to them, intensify our efforts to reconnect, and facilitate pathways to success and self-sufficiency.

A cross-sector group of community stakeholders, including The Columbus Foundation, worked in collaboration to arrive at the theory of change that all youth should be able to enter adulthood prepared to pursue opportunities to live well. Six focus areas were identified: Civic Engagement, Education, Health and Wellness, Housing, Support Systems, and Workforce.

This Opportunity Youth coalition continues to work together to create a continuum of support that both engages youth who are currently disconnected while working upstream to ensure all youth enter adulthood prepared to pursue opportunities to live well.

The Columbus Foundation

In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

Sector Building Grants

Sector Building Grants partner with community organizations to build the overall capacity of the sector.

The Sector Building grant program launched in 2022 as part of a commitment to build the capacity of the nonprofit sector to serve the community. Sector Building grants support programming that builds and sustains the infrastructure of the nonprofit sector.

The Sector Building grant program seeks to fill this area of need by providing funding to programs or organizations that support the administrative needs of three or more nonprofits, which may or may not include the applicant. These grants typically range from $50,000 to $150,000.

Columbus Realtors Foundation provides Columbus, Ohio organizations with support for emergency financial assistance and basic human needs. The Benevolence Fund is dedicated to helping local REALTORS®, their families, and employees facing extreme circumstances. Nonprofits in Columbus addressing urgent housing or health needs may be eligible for this confidential, case-by-case aid.

The Columbus Foundation

In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

Digital Access Grants

Support for programming designed to offer training or technical support, or expanding the affordability and accessibility of digital technology and the internet to individuals and communities with limited access.

Not everyone has the same level of access to reliable internet service, or the devices and skills needed for work, commerce, education, healthcare, transportation, and civic engagement.

In response to the urgent technology needs of nonprofits and the communities they serve, The Central Ohio Digital Access Fund was established in July 2020. A group of local partners and institutions works on internet affordability, access to devices, and programs across the community that offer training and technical skill building for life and careers in the twenty-first century. 

Columbus, Ohio real estate and housing organizations can access funding through Columbus Realtors Foundation for projects that improve the local real estate environment. Nonprofits focused on equitable and affordable housing, as well as local realty associations, may be eligible for matching funds to support community service initiatives and housing improvements in the region.

About GCAC

The Greater Columbus Arts Council supports artists and arts organizations through a spectrum of grant programs, workshops, networking events and services. GCAC also shares a host of resources such as calls for artists, job opportunities, nonprofit board openings and listings of spaces for rent. Subscribe to our newsletters to stay up-to-date on GCAC grant deadlines, workshops and events.

GCAC provides marketing services that support artists and organizations through the ColumbusMakesArt.com event calendar, Artist Directory, and Public Art Database. We also produce the annual Big Arts Night recognizing business and individual contributions to the community and the Columbus Arts Festival, the city’s welcome to summer event that takes place each June.

The Greater Columbus Film Commission (Film Columbus) is a division of GCAC that aims to grow the film industry in Columbus and central Ohio by creating jobs and providing significant economic impact for the area. Film Columbus strives to build Columbus as a top city for film education, exhibition, and production by supporting filmmakers and the film industry by offering a range of services—including the only local incentive in Ohio, grants, and resources—to encourage film and media projects in our city. For more information, visit filmcolumbus.com.

GCAC programming provides access to the arts for people of all cultural backgrounds, economic status, sexual orientation, age and physical ability and ensures broad public access to the arts. Supporting Columbus artists, and arts and culture organizations enhances the cultural image of the Greater Columbus area.

Cultural Festival Funding Awards

Purpose:

To provide funding for pre-existing cultural festivals that primarily reach or represent immigrant, refugee, and New American communities through presentation of the arts and cultural heritage traditions.

Description:

Cultural festivals with a primary focus on presenting the arts (including dance, fashion, film, literary, music, theater and visual arts) that present cultural heritage traditions and primarily reach immigrant, refugee, and new American audiences, may make an annual request for Cultural Festival Funding of $3,500 from GCAC. Applicants who would like to be considered for more than $3,500 should apply for Project Support, which follows a scored, competitive funding process. Applicants may receive EITHER Project Support OR Cultural Festival Funding; organizations cannot receive both awards in the same calendar year.

Festival programming may:

• Reflect customs and art forms that are passed down through generations.
• Include traditional music, dance, food and crafts.
• Honor symbolic and/or ritualistic ceremonies.
• Observe natural events with cultural significance.

The Brett Candela Lacrosse Scholarship, established by the family of Brett Candela, honors his passion for lacrosse and supports central Ohio players pursuing higher education. A standout athlete from Columbus, Brett was recognized for his leadership and competitiveness in lacrosse and basketball. This scholarship aims to invest in student-athletes who embody his values of dedication, teamwork, and perseverance, ensuring that the next generation of lacrosse players can achieve their educational goals while upholding Brett's legacy.

With a mission to support local creativity, Greater Columbus Arts Council provides Columbus, Ohio arts and culture nonprofits with unrestricted general operating support. Eligible organizations must present a full season of public arts activities featuring professional artists. Nonprofits serving the Columbus area may benefit from this funding opportunity.

The Columbus Foundation supports horticulture and gardening in Columbus, Ohio by providing grants for organizations repurposing underused land into community gardens and greenspaces. Nonprofits aiming to increase healthy food access, promote environmental education, or beautify neighborhoods may be eligible for funding and material donations.

Charles Barton Weaver Trust Scholarship Fund

Charles Weaver was a Realtor and a U.S. Army Korean War veteran. Mr. Weaver directed that this fund be used to provide scholarships for students who held full- or part-time jobs and graduated from Columbus City Schools.

Award Amount:

• Minimum $500

The Columbus Foundation

In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

Dr. Patty's Scholarship

Dr. Patricia (Patty) Cunningham was a three-time graduate of The Ohio State University, receiving her Bachelor’s in Women’s Studies (with a minor in Black Studies), Master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs, and a Ph.D. in Cultural Foundations. Dr. Patty taught leadership courses covering a vast array of topics, such as: poverty, race, gender, and civic engagement, among others. Dr. Patty was much more than an average professor. She was an extreme advocate of social communities and organizations all over Ohio, including schools, senior centers, community recreation centers, and incarceration facilities. Her work spanned from downtown urban environments to Appalachia, making everyone she encountered feel seen, heard, hopeful, and inspired.

Dr. Patty was the founder and Director of the Buckeye Civic Engagement Connection (BCEC), which eventually became the Department of Social Change in The Ohio State University’s (OSU) Office of Student Life. The Department of Social Change, at its peak, used student employees and volunteers to facilitate over 50 programs in eight neighborhoods every week, focused on empowering and engaging underserved and impoverished communities while teaching students crucial civic engagement and leadership skills. Dr. Patty was also a mentor to several students, including many in the Todd A. Bell National Resource Center (BNRC) for the African American Male, The Morrill Scholarship Program, and several student organizations, including Alpha Epsilon Phi Fraternity and Unplugging Society: A Women of Color Think Tank. 

The Burton E. Stevenson Endowment Scholarship, established by The Columbus Foundation, supports underprivileged children in Ross County, Ohio. Named after the influential librarian and author Burton E. Stevenson, this scholarship aims to alleviate the challenges faced by these children, promoting access to education regardless of race, sex, or religion. Applicants must be graduating seniors from Ross County high schools and plan to attend a public or nonprofit college in the U.S. Awards range from $500 to $6,500.

Cage Family Scholarship Fund

The scholarship honors the Cage Family’s commitment to support students who are working toward a college degree.

Award Amount:

• Minimum $500

The Columbus Firefighters Foundation Scholarship supports the dependent children of active or retired members of the Columbus Division of Fire. Established by The Columbus Foundation in 1943, this scholarship aims to enhance the educational opportunities for these children. Eligible candidates must attend a public or nonprofit independent college or university in the U.S. full-time, with an award amount of $1,000 to assist in their educational journey.

The Columbus Firefighters Foundation Scholarship supports individuals in Ohio pursuing careers as firefighters or EMTs. Offered by The Columbus Foundation, this scholarship provides essential financial assistance to candidates enrolled in accredited fire technology or EMS programs. By investing in the future workforce, the scholarship aims to enhance emergency response services, ensuring a well-prepared and capable team ready to address community needs effectively.

The Columbus Roast Association Fund, established by The Columbus Foundation, provides scholarships to high school seniors from Franklin and Madison counties. Building on a legacy of supporting former Ohio State University athletes, the fund aims to assist students with demonstrated financial need pursuing a four-year degree. This initiative continues the Association's commitment to community support and empowerment, fostering the next generation's educational aspirations while addressing local needs.

About Us

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

Our Promise

To help you help others through the most effective philanthropy possible.

Dorothy Cage Memorial Scholarship

Dorothy Cage's dream was to ensure underserved and economically challenged youth in our community had the tools they needed to succeed in life. Dorothy and her family awarded hundreds of scholarships and invested in laptops, books, and school-related expenses for youth in need. She had a gift for revealing to young people their own potential. By demonstrating her genuine care and affection for them, Dorothy instilled pride and self-confidence and inspired students to achieve greatness. Her legacy will be seen in the successful lives of the students for whom she committed her time, resources, and love. This scholarship fund honors Dorothy’s memory as a shining example of a life well lived.

The F.A. and R.A.M Scholarship, established by The Columbus Foundation, supports post-secondary education for students with physical or developmental disabilities in Columbus, Ohio. This scholarship aims to enhance access to higher education and foster inclusive opportunities for these students as they pursue academic or vocational training. By addressing barriers and promoting educational equity, the scholarship contributes to the community's commitment to empowering individuals and transforming lives through education.

Columbus, Ohio music education students can access funding through Ashland County Community Foundation’s Carol Pederson Music Scholarship. Graduating seniors or recent graduates pursuing a college major or minor in violin, viola, cello, or string bass may be eligible, especially those with ties to Ashland County or the Mansfield Youth Orchestra.

Ashland County Community Foundation supports higher education in Columbus, Ohio by offering the Bill and Cay Harris Scholarship to graduating high school seniors. Students who demonstrate Christian service and leadership qualities, especially those planning to major in history or social studies, may be eligible. Nonprofits assisting local students with college preparation may benefit from this opportunity.

The Fishel Scholarship Fund, managed by The Columbus Foundation, offers financial assistance to children of active Teammates pursuing higher education. This initiative aims to alleviate college-related expenses, thus supporting families and encouraging academic achievement. As one of the largest community foundations, The Columbus Foundation is dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the Columbus, Ohio region through impactful philanthropic efforts.

Focused on advancing health equity, McKesson Foundation invites Columbus, Ohio nonprofits to apply for support in areas such as cancer prevention, disaster relief, food access, and healthcare workforce development. Organizations serving vulnerable communities in Columbus may be eligible for grants above $25,000 to address health disparities and improve outcomes.

Grants from The Columbus Foundation help Columbus, Ohio nonprofits working in environmental conservation, health, and special populations. Funding supports projects in areas like natural resources, children’s mental health, geriatric medical education, and youth leadership. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in Columbus may benefit from these targeted grant opportunities.

Focused on affordable housing, Columbus Realtors Foundation invites Columbus, Ohio nonprofits to apply for community grants supporting homelessness services, home repairs, and shelters. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations working to improve the local real estate environment may benefit from funding aimed at strengthening healthy, equitable communities in the area.

Greater Columbus Arts Council

Our mission: To champion and elevate the arts and cultural expression of Greater Columbus.

The Greater Columbus Arts Council supports artists and arts organizations through a spectrum of grant programs, workshops, networking events and services. GCAC also shares a host of resources such as calls for artists, job opportunities, nonprofit board openings and listings of spaces for rent.

GCAC provides marketing services that support artists and organizations through the ColumbusMakesArt.com event calendar, Artist Directory, and Public Art Database. We also produce the annual Big Arts Night recognizing business and individual contributions to the community and the Columbus Arts Festival, the city’s welcome to summer event that takes place each June.

Columbus Motion Picture Incentive

Purpose

The Columbus Motion Picture Incentive (CMPI) fuels the growth of the film industry in Central Ohio by encouraging productions to hire local talent, utilize regional resources, and film within the area—all while supporting local filmmakers and strengthening the creative economy.

The Columbus Motion Picture Incentive (CMPI) is open to any production company, whether local or international, that spends a minimum of $150,000 in Franklin and surrounding counties.

Columbus, Ohio nonprofits focused on eye diseases and disorders can access funding through the Carl Marshall Reeves and Mildred Almen Reeves Foundation Grant. The foundation prioritizes projects related to macular degeneration research and supports capital expenditures. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in the area may benefit from this opportunity.

Focused on basic human needs and family services, Nationwide Insurance Foundation invites Columbus, Ohio nonprofits to apply for support. Grants may fund projects in areas like crisis intervention, youth services, and disaster relief. Eligible organizations serving Franklin and Delaware counties can seek operating, program, or limited capital support.