Best Grants for BIPOC in Wisconsin

The Black Hawk Excellence in Education Fund, part of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, enhances educational programming beyond the Belmont school district budget. It addresses state funding cuts, empowering teachers and students to innovate in teaching and learning. By investing in this fund, donors support quality education and ensure resources for programs typically not covered by tax dollars, benefiting current and future generations in Southern Wisconsin.

The Hillsboro Excellence in Education Fund, established in 2012, provides essential support for educational programming outside the Hillsboro School District's budget. Managed by a local advisory board, this fund enhances educational opportunities for students in the district. It serves as a critical resource, enabling innovative programming that isn't typically covered by tax dollars, thus investing in the future of Southern Wisconsin's youth.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Eugene J. Andolsek Memorial Scholarship

Eugene Andolsek was a gifted artist who used the medium of drawing to convey his struggles and insecurities, spending hours at the kitchen table with a compass, ruler, inks and graph paper creating intricate and complex pieces of art. Unable to pursue his education at a higher level due to family circumstances, Eugene felt he was denied the opportunity to reach his potential and be valued in life. Eugene was a quiet, frugal man who spent many years of his life creating pieces of art which on the surface communicate order and uniformity, whilst giving you a glimpse of the many complexities that must have existed in Eugene’s thoughts. Art was quite simply his escape. In 2005, when Eugene was 84 years of age, his work was featured in the exhibition ‘Obsessive Art’ at the American Folk Art Museum in New York, his work garnered much critical acclaim and proved to Eugene that despite being an untrained artist he was remarkably gifted and much sought after.

The Eugene J. Andolsek Memorial Scholarship is a lasting tribute to a man who valued education above most other things. From the proceeds of Eugene’s vast portfolio this memorial scholarship will enable a young student to continue their education in a way he was never able to. This scholarship has significant value and is renewable for up to 4 years of post secondary education.

Award Type: Multi-year (up to 4 years). Recipients must maintain 3.0 GPA.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Gladys R. and Charles E. Yost Memorial Fund

The Gladys R. and Charles E. Yost Memorial Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide educational assistance to incoming freshman at Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, or University of Pittsburgh.

Award Type: Renewable award.

The Mineral Point Excellence in Education Fund, established in 2016, is dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities within the Mineral Point School District. Managed by a local advisory board, this fund supports programming beyond the school's budget, ensuring students receive quality education. The Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin oversees this initiative, emphasizing community investment in education for future generations. Contributions to this fund empower innovative educational experiences that are not typically covered by tax dollars.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Michael T. Abel Scholarship Fund

The Michael T. Abel Scholarship Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation in memory of Michael, to assist Free Church students who are entering an undergraduate program at either Grove City or Geneva College.

Award Type: Single Year. Previous recipients are encouraged to re-apply in consecuti

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Pittsburgh Foundation: Education Opportunity Fund

The Education Opportunity Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships to traditional and non-traditional students who reside in Allegheny County.

Award Type: Renewable award.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Shaw Family Trust

The Shaw Family Trust was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships to high school seniors entering their freshman year of college at Penn State Beaver or Community College of Beaver County.

Award Type: Renewable (up to 4 years. Student must maintain a 3.0 GPA.)

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Shirley Lewis McCune Memorial Scholarship

The Shirley Lewis McCune Memorial Scholarship was established at The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County in memory/honor of Shirley Lewis McCune. Her family chose to honor Shirley, who worked for Columbia Gas for many years and was the first female District Manager for the company here in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Award Type: Single-Year award. Previous recipients are encouraged to re-apply in consecutive years provided they maintain full-time enrollment.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Sophie M. and John F. Yoney Scholarship Fund

The Sophie M. and John F. Yoney Scholarship Fund was established at The Pittsburgh Foundation by the late Mr. John F. Yoney, to provide to graduates from Chartiers-Houston High School, Peters Township High School and Canon McMillan High School.

Award Type: Single-Year Award

Southern California Kids to Parks Grants Program

National Park Trust is thrilled to offer the 2026 Southern California Kids to Parks Grants Program. Open to Title I schools (40% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch) based in the Southern California Edison service area (Map of Eligible Locations) for grades 3 through 12, this grant program provides classrooms with up to $1,500 for in-park experiences. While grant requests for all types of park visits are welcome, applicants are encouraged to consider trips to historical sites in honor of the celebration of our country's 250th birthday in 2026.

Funding can be used towards program fees, transportation costs, stewardship supplies, and any other materials needed for a robust learning experience.

This grant is designed to be student-driven, and student-teacher collaboration is a must. All applications must include a stewardship element and a park-themed educational component that focuses on either outdoor recreation and healthy lifestyles, environmental education/science, or history.

Teachers may submit the application on behalf of their class, but direct student involvement in the application is required.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Bradley “Ace” Schaffner Scholarship Fund

The Bradley “Ace” Schaffner Scholarship Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation in honor of Ace by his parents to provide scholarships for students living in Southwestern Pennsylvania who are pursing a 4-year liberal arts degree.

Award Type: Single Year. Previous recipients are encouraged to re-apply in consecutive years.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

College Club of Pittsburgh Scholarship Fund

The College Club of Pittsburgh Scholarship Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships for students who have faced social, economic, or educational barriers due to systemic gender inequity, and who were born, lived in or went to school in Western PA to provide support for continuing education.

Award Type: Single Year Award. Previous recipients are encouraged to re-apply in consecutive years.

About Us

Our mission is to serve as a catalyst in maximizing the skills and creativity of educators at the K-12 levels and in cultivating pioneering approaches to teaching that result in dynamic student learning.

The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation sponsors proposals that enhance student learning and educational quality, paying particular attention to those that best serve the at-risk and under-funded, including:

• Curriculum that excites and challenges
• Inquiry projects that promote reflection and growth
• After-school programs that enrich and inspire

The Foundation partners with individuals to expand educational opportunities for America’s youth that inspire students by nurturing their curiosity about the world and their place in it. Funding includes scholarships that provide far more than just tuition and books; grants that benefit the lives of more than just those who receive them; and results that reach far beyond the classroom in which the projects are introduced.

Student Teaching Scholarships/Mentoring

Designed to instill a lifelong, passionate commitment to education and learning at the highest level, McCarthey Dressman scholarships offer financial and mentoring support to educators who will be student teaching in their final year of a qualified teacher education program. Foundation mentors offer one-on-one guidance and attention to nurture the next generation of teachers. Scholarship recipients acquire and strengthen exemplary teaching practices that promote learning by their own students.

The Foundation awards one-year scholarships in the amount of $6,000 each to college students enrolled in teacher education programs at New Mexico State University; the University of California, Santa Cruz; The University of Texas at Austin; and Stephen F. Austin State University.

Consider applying for this scholarship if... 

• you are interested in maximizing your student teaching experience
• you believe that working with a mentor would add to your training experience
• you can provide documentation of financial need for the year in which you will be student teaching

The Allen Butler Minority Law Enforcement Scholarship Temporary Fund offers financial support to young people of color from Duluth pursuing law enforcement training at post-secondary institutions. Established in 1996 by Duluth's African American Men’s Group in honor of Officer Allen Butler, this fund aims to empower eligible candidates with a $1,000 award for one year, promoting diversity and inclusion in law enforcement careers.

Parkview Health Foundation

The Parkview Health Foundation plays a vital role in supporting Parkview Health and its ability to provide expert, specialized healthcare to our entire region. As the area’s largest health system, Parkview Health serves a population of more than 1.3 million in northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio.

Since 1878, charitable giving has been an important part of Parkview’s ability to deliver excellent care for every person, every day. The Parkview Health Foundation helps ensure philanthropic donations are used to support Parkview patients and the community at large by enhancing the patient experience through comfort and healing.

Scholarships

Helping train and educate the next generation of Parkview caregivers is an important part of our purpose. Through the generosity of donors, we are able to offer scholarships to Parkview co-workers and area students who are pursuing their nursing degrees or EMT certifications — helping ensure the excellence in care continues.

Parkview Huntington Spirit of Service Scholarship

The Parkview Huntington Spirit of Service Scholarship – This scholarship was initially funded by a portion of a legacy gift from the Parkview Huntington Hospital Guild, which ceased operations in 2018. Scholarships have been awarded annually since 2019. The scholarship is sustained by proceeds from operation of the Parkview Huntington Hospital gift shop.

Parkview Health Foundation

The Parkview Health Foundation plays a vital role in supporting Parkview Health and its ability to provide expert, specialized healthcare to our entire region. As the area’s largest health system, Parkview Health serves a population of more than 1.3 million in northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio.

Since 1878, charitable giving has been an important part of Parkview’s ability to deliver excellent care for every person, every day. The Parkview Health Foundation helps ensure philanthropic donations are used to support Parkview patients and the community at large by enhancing the patient experience through comfort and healing.

Scholarships

Helping train and educate the next generation of Parkview caregivers is an important part of our purpose. Through the generosity of donors, we are able to offer scholarships to Parkview co-workers and area students who are pursuing their nursing degrees or EMT certifications — helping ensure the excellence in care continues.

Albright Gemlick Scholarship

Beginning in 2003, the Albright Gemlick Scholarship has honored remarkable senior high school student athletes. Dr. James E. Albright was a driving force behind the establishment of the SportONE Athletic Training program in 1990. He was committed to the safety and care of student athletes, serving as a team physician for several local high schools and colleges. Dr. Brett F. Gemlick continued Dr. Albright's commitment to serving area athletic teams throughout his time as an orthopedic surgeon in Northeast Indiana.

The Albright Gemlick Scholarship is made possible by the generosity of donors through the Parkview Foundation. Up to eight scholarships can be awarded to local high school athletes annually. Award winners of this scholarship will receive four years of funding support to pursue their undergraduate degree.

Each PSM high school may nominate up to two students from their high school. Club athletic trainers may nominate up to three students from their club.

Coral Gables Community Foundation

Led by community leaders, the Coral Gables Community Foundation provides the philanthropic conduit to connect individuals and corporations looking to positively impact the success of the community. Now in its 33rd year, the Foundation has been at the forefront of the evolving needs of Coral Gables while effectively bringing together beneficiaries and benefactors to fund programs with the greatest impact and benefit to “The City Beautiful.”

Coral Gables Community Foundation’s Scholarships Program

Coral Gables Community Foundation is honored to partner with our fundholders to administer generous scholarships as well as manage the Foundation’s own scholarship funds.

The Foundation and its fundholders have proudly awarded over $6.7 million in scholarships in just the last decade.

The Raymond Bravo Scholarship

The Raymond Bravo Foundation, established at the Coral Gables Community Foundation in 2025, honors the memory and generous spirit of Raymond Bravo, a proud Miami High alumnus and successful lawyer.

The Fund is dedicated to extending a helping hand to needful students from any high school in Miami Dade County Public Schools.

Rooted in Raymond’s belief that success requires hard work, natural ability, and help from others, the Fund seeks to ensure that financial difficulty does not prevent students from achieving their educational goals and professional dreams. Through scholarship awards, The Raymond Bravo Fund provides tuition support, empowering students to pursue higher education and realize their fullest potential.

The Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 2005, supports students from the Duluth-Superior area. Applicants are encouraged to submit essays or creative works that reflect their understanding of race relations and community service. The fund, initiated by local residents to honor the memory of three African American men lynched in 1920, awards $3,000 for one year, with school selections occurring in the spring.

Nebraska Community Foundation

Nebraska Community Foundation was established in 1994 by a group of visionaries determined to empower communities throughout the state to grow and prosper. They believed that with the right tools and resources, people could build the hometowns of their dreams.

Through philanthropy, our team helps communities develop strong local economies, high quality of life, and abundant leadership and volunteer opportunities. We empower local leaders to identify community assets, invest in their own resources, and bring about their own positive change. 

BCAFF Scholarships

The Butler County Area Foundation Fund is offering three scholarships to graduating seniors who meet individual scholarship criteria. These scholarships are the Butler County Clinic Scholarship (medical field major); Charles O. & Grace M. Stoops Scholarship in Agricultural or Environmental Studies; and Butler County Area Foundation Fund Scholarship.

Butler County Area Foundation Fund Scholarship

• Two $500 scholarships are available annually to graduating residents of Butler County.

• Applicants must be entering his or her first semester of post-secondary education at an accredited school of higher education, or an applicant may be a current year graduate or an earlier graduate resident of Butler County who may have delayed entrance into post-secondary education at an accredited school of higher education.

The DAV Charitable Service Trust provides essential support to empower veterans in leading dignified lives. This private funder focuses on rehabilitation programs, mobility enhancements for veterans with disabilities, and assistance for aging and homeless veterans. Additionally, it addresses the needs of veterans affected by recent conflicts and supports their caregivers and families. Grants are available to eligible organizations recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt, ensuring that the trust's mission effectively reaches those who have served.

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.

A. Gordon and Betty H. Imhoff Scholarship

The scholarship supports students from Shelby High School. Gordon and Betty Imhoff were both graduates of Shelby High School and wanted to support students from the school as they further their education.

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.

Amanda Rush Scholarship Fund for Future Leaders

This fund was established to celebrate the life of Amanda Rush who tragically died on October 23, 2020. Amanda worked at White Castle for 14 years, working her way up to manager. This scholarship will support central Ohio restaurant employees or students going to school for restaurant management or hospitality.

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.

Devin Aumend Memorial Scholarship

The scholarship was created by Devin’s Mother, Denise Aumend. Despite her physical disability, Devin was always involved in her community through activities including 4-H, Girl Scouts, and church youth activities. Throughout her life, Devin overcame many challenges and obstacles due to her physical disability. This led her to become an independents and determined young lady, maintaining excellent grades throughout school, and earning the title of Valedictorian of her Highland High School class of 2003. Devin completed her Bachelor’s Degree with honors, and her Master’s degree with honors. The Devin Aumend Memorial Scholarship is her mother’s way of honoring Devin for many years to come.

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 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.

James and Ruth Lawrence Scholarship

James Lawrence attended Columbus Public Schools graduating from East High School and The Ohio State University. He was a World War II veteran and retired from the Defense Supply Center of Columbus. Ruth was an active volunteer with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s East Unit Women’s Auxiliary. Ruth passed away in 1999, and James passed away in 2015.

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.

James Preston Poindexter Scholarship Fund

Sanctuary Columbus Church seeks to reduce the opportunity gap that exists in Columbus by providing a college scholarship award to Linden-McKinley graduates intending to attend an Historical Black College or University (HBCU). Our desire is to add other Columbus City Schools high school in relationship with Sanctuary through local partnerships, such as Northland and Mifflin high schools. James Preston Poindexter (October 26, 1819 – February 7, 1907) was an abolitionist, civil rights activist, politician, and Baptist minister from Columbus, Ohio. He was a part of abolitionist and Underground Railroad societies and became the pastor of the historic Second Baptist Church in 1862. From the pulpit, he preached against slavery and for African-American rights. After the American Civil War (1861-1865), he was involved in political activities in Columbus, serving on the City Council, the city Board of Education, the state Forestry Bureau, and as trustee of the Institute for the Blind and of Wilberforce University. It is our honor to name this scholarship fund after James Preston Poindexter, because of his commitment to the future education of Black children and his proclamation for the kingdom of God to come in truth and grace.