NEW ALBANY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The first major initiative of the New Albany Community Foundation was simple, yet forward-thinking: build a more connected community by raising $1 million to support the construction of a new Columbus Metropolitan Library branch in New Albany. Today that branch is one of the busiest in central Ohio, and the Foundation celebrates 25 years of an on-going collaboration with civic-minded donors, volunteers, and board members to strengthen an extraordinary community by forging partnerships and investing in transformational projects that benefit all who live or work in New Albany.

The Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts was the result of collaboration between the City of New Albany, the School District, Plain Township and the Foundation and its donors. The McCoy hosts hundreds of community and school events each year.

The Foundation focuses on four areas of impact—lifelong learning, health and wellness, arts and culture, and environmental sustainability, with more than $13 million in grants provided to date. The New Albany Branch Library, McCoy Center for the Arts, Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany, Safety Town, the New Albany Lecture Series, the Marx Reading Garden, Raines Crossing, Veterans Field, and soon, the Charleen & Charles Hinson Amphitheater, all have been made possible by Foundation donors. For more information, visit newalbanyfoundation.org.

The New Albany Branch library was the first major initiative supported by the Foundation and its donors. Photo by Peter Aaron.

Ground will be broken this year on the Charleen & Charles Hinson Amphitheater in New Albany. Rendering by Frank Costantino July 2020.

In 2019, the New Albany Lectures Series featured Colin Powell and Madeleine Albright in conversation with Fareed Zakaria. Portions of the program aired later on Fareed Zakaria GPS on CNN. Photo by James DeCamp.

The Easton E3 Learning Lab provides environmental science and STEM experiences for New Albany K-12 students. Photo provided by New Albany Schools.

Foundation donors supported New Albany’s Safety Town Program. Photo by A. Grabaskas.

Jeremy, Courtney, Marie Luise and Michael Marx in the reading garden they made possible at the New Albany Branch Library. Photo by James DeCamp.

The New Albany Lecture Series has hosted numerous speakers on mental health, including renowned actress Glenn Close. Photo by Lorn Spolter.

New Albany Lecture Series student lectures have included more than 14,000 students from throughout central Ohio. Sanjay Gupta spoke in 2018. Photo by Lorn Spolter.

New Albany Lecture Series speaker Doris Kearns Goodwin has visited New Albany three times and participated in the student lecture series on two occasions. Photo by Lorn Spolter

New Albany Student and Eagle Scout Drew DeShetler received a Foundation grant to support his project to enhance the Easton E3 Learning Lab experience on the campus of New Albany Schools. Photo provided by Drew DeShetler.

Ron Cadieux & Sandy Raines with Foundation President Craig Mohre at the recently completed Raines Crossing in the City of New Albany’s Rose Run Park. Photo by James DeCamp.

Families explore the City of New Albany’s Rose Run Park. Photo by James DeCamp.

The New Albany Walking Classic was designated America’s #1 Walk. Photo by Lisa Hinson.