NEXUS_Summer 2012

F O R M E R LY K N OW N A S

Commentary

SUMMER 2012

NEX∙US (nĕk ’s s) N ., 1. A ME ANS OF CONNECTION; A LINK OR TIE. 2 . A CONNECTED SERIES OR GROUP. 3. THE CORE OR CENTER.

IT IS HERE that history resounds and opportunity abounds

3 A HOME RUN FOR COLUMBUS’ YOUTH Columbus Youth Foundation still going strong

10 BOOMING BIZTOWN Junior Achievement program prospers

4 THE IMPORTANCE OF STEWARDSHIP Burton Stevenson’s legacy lives on

8 CELEBRATING 200 YEARS! Events honor Columbus’ historic birthday

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Summer 2012 F O R M E R LY K N OW N A S

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

Douglas F. Kridler President and CEO

Commentary

GOVERNING COMMITTEE Michael J. Fiorile Chairman Barbara J. Siemer Vice Chairman David P. Blom Jerry Jurgensen C. Robert Kidder Dwight E. Smith Bruce A. Soll Barbara Trueman Matthew D. Walter Douglas F. Kridler President and CEO Raymond J. Biddiscombe, CPA Senior Vice President, CFO

Upon receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature, the late Wislawa Szymborska wrote the following words: “There is, has been, and will always be a certain group of people whom inspiration visits. Their work becomes one continuous adventure as long as they manage to keep discovering new challenges in it.

Difficulties and setbacks never quell their curiosity. A swarm of new questions emerges from every problem they solve.”

This is what we aspire to at The Columbus Foundation—a place at the center, a place of inspiration where we can connect to each other and to ideas and information to help us help others, a place where problems are solved and new questions are carefully considered every day—a place that can be described as our community’s “nexus.”

A

few months ago, a good friend and collaborator Jeff Lyttle sent us this note: “There was a letter to the editor in an issue of The New Yorker magazine earlier this year from Andrea Johnson of Bronx, New York. She was commenting on a story about philanthropy that had been published in an earlier edition.

I really liked the way she described the skills necessary to be a successful philanthropist: ‘…an abundance of humility, high tolerance for uncertainty and complexity, patience in understanding context, and willingness to listen to the people who live with problems that most philanthropists encounter only occasionally.’”

Well stated.

One example of a philanthropist who has a full appreciation for the complexities of this work is Jeff Skoll, whose goal is to “live in a sustainable world of peace and prosperity.” Through the insightful and diverse investments he is making in social progress around the world, he has come to the following conclusion, as found in the March/April issue of Stanford’s alumni magazine, that “Amid all the goals that are ‘really hard, and really hard to win,’…the best outcome depends

on igniting an army of educated and motivated citizens.”

If not an “army,” you are certainly a “special force” of educated and motivated citizens—an invaluable community resource and capacity. It is our goal that through our work and through our programs, and by clearly communicating our discoveries, we will continue to ignite in you the inspiration to work to help others through the most effective philanthropy possible.

You remember these lines from William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.” Those famous lines remind us that names matter little compared to the real substance of things.

So it is, that we have come to change the name of our newsletter from Commentary to NEXUS. “Commentary” was a name; “Nexus” is what we are—the place from which we pursue community progress with and for our donors.

Through a variety of paths taken, it is here that we find ourselves, at this place of connection, care, humility, inspiration, endurance, generosity, challenges and solutions called The Columbus Foundation. Welcome to your “Nexus.”

Lisa Schweitzer Courtice, Ph.D. Executive Vice President Tamera Durrence Vice President Beth Fisher Vice President Carol Harmon Vice President EDITORIAL STAFF Nick George Raquel Gober Amy Vick

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.

For more information, visit www. columbusfoundation.org or call 614/251-4000.

Photos by Nick George, unless noted.

Confirmed in compliance with national standards for U.S. community foundations.

CONTACT US! If you have any questions or comments or want to tell us what you think about NEXUS, we would love to hear from you. E-mail us at NEXUS@columbusfoundation.org or call 614/251-4000. ©2012 The Columbus Foundation

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A Home Run for Columbus’ Youth

Pictured (l-r) Buddy Byers, Bob Lazarus

When their fathers teamed up with a group of civic leaders in 1955 to form the Columbus Jets, they set in motion a legacy of giving that still exists today.

George “Buddy” Byers, Jr. and Robert “Bob” Lazarus, Jr. remember when their fathers helped start the baseball team and bought Jets Stadium.

They also recall the decision the group made to establish the Columbus Youth Foundation (CYF), which used all the profits from the team to help sick, underprivileged, and disabled youth in Columbus—with a particular emphasis on Franklinton.

For more than 55 years, CYF has been actively supporting nonprofit organizations that provide recreational opportunities for Columbus’ youth. In 1975, Franklin County bought Jets Stadium from CYF, with the proceeds benefiting the foundation.

“With the funds CYF received from the sale of the stadium, the trustees wanted to preserve and continue its longstanding relationship with the community,” said Tami Durrence, vice president for Supporting Foundations. “In 1976, CYF became the first Supporting Foundation at The

Columbus Foundation.

It is unique in that instead of being driven by a family or corporation, its grantmaking is guided by the intentions of its initial founders, more than a half century ago.”

Through its competitive grantmaking program, CYF has awarded hundreds of grants totaling more than $3 million since 1976 to area organizations focused on giving youth opportunities to participate in programs emphasizing recreation and fun.

One organization, Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus, has been receiving support from CYF for decades. Since 1976, the foundation has awarded more than $800,000 to the nonprofit, including grants for capital projects and to support afterschool and summer programs.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus provides afterschool and summer programs for hundreds of kids at its Westside, Milo-Grogan, and Linden neighborhood centers.

“Take a look at this building,” said Mr. Lazarus, sitting in the library at its Westside location. “To see what they have done here is thrilling. It makes me feel good.”

Since 1985, CYF has sponsored the annual Best All-Around Student Awards, first at Cooper Stadium (formerly Jets Stadium) and now at Huntington Park. The evening celebration features food, family, and baseball—and honors one male and one female student from every middle and high school in Columbus City

Schools. Recipients are selected based on their citizenship, academic achievements or progress, perseverance, athletic accomplishments, or for their ability to overcome adversity. More than 2,800 students have been recognized to date, and the event is a highlight of the year for CYF and the trustees.

“I’ve had parents come up to me and say, ‘It’s so nice to have somebody slap my kid on the back and say what a good job they are doing,’” said Mr. Byers.

Mr. Byers and Mr. Lazarus both serve on CYF’s board of trustees, continuing the efforts of their fathers.

“I THINK THEY WOULD TAKE A GREAT DEAL OF PLEASURE IN KNOWING THEIR RELATIVELY MODEST INITIAL GIFTS HAVE DONE A LOT OF GOOD.” —BOB LAZARUS

“I think they would be surprised it’s still going on,” Mr. Lazarus laughed. “And very pleased at what the results have been over the past 50 years and the things it has accomplished. I think they would take a great deal of pleasure in knowing their relatively modest initial gifts have done a lot of good.”

To learn more about the Columbus Youth Foundation, visit http://columbusfoundation.org/ publication/nexus-summer-2012/

NEXUS SUMMER 2012 / 3

Raymond J. Biddiscombe, CPA Senior Vice President, CFO

The Importance of Stewardship MANY OF YOU MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE COLUMBUS FOUNDATION HAS ANOTHER ENTITY—STATEWIDE AFFILIATE COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS, INC.

750

Community Foundations, Inc. holds, available grantmaking dollars will invests, and makes grants from nearly be allocated to the agencies and 140 funds that benefit organizations nonprofit organizations that serve the primarily outside of Columbus and underprivileged children in this area.

Franklin County.

One organization that has received Foundation staff provide assistance regular support from the Stevenson to advisory committees (the feet on Fund is Carver Community Center. totaling nearly $2 million the ground, if you will) in the oversight The center provides recreational and grantmaking deliberations facilities and meals for needy children for these funds that benefit their in Chillicothe. respective communities. One such fund is the Burton Since its association with Community Foundations, E. Stevenson Endowment for Children Fund, which Inc., the Burton E. Stevenson Endowment Fund has became associated with Community Foundations, Inc. made nearly 750 grants totaling almost $2 million. in 1992.

Foundation staff have been privileged to assist in The advisory committee and its volunteer the work of this fund’s advisory committee—helping coordinator, Chillicothe resident Marilyn Carnes, to strengthen and improve life for children in Ross meet semiannually to deliberate on how the County, just as Mr. Stevenson wished.

GRANTS

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INTRODUCING A COLUMN ON STEWARDSHIP BY RAY BIDDISCOMBE

BURTON STEVENSON was born in Chillicothe in 1872. He graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1889 and attended Princeton University for three years. He accepted a job with the Chillicothe Leader, and eventually became city editor of the Chillicothe Daily News and Daily Advertiser.

In 1899, he became the city librarian, a position he held until 1957 except for a brief stint in Europe during World War I, and during a job as director of the American Library in Paris in 1925.

While working, he wrote more than 20 detective, adventure, and children’s stories.

Mr. Stevenson, who died in 1962 at the age of 89, established his fund to serve underprivileged children of Chillicothe and Ross County.

Charting your own course FOUNDATION OFFERS MANY OPTIONS TAILORED TO YOUR NEEDS Many roads can lead to creating a legacy—each path as unique as the individual or family that takes it. One of the most remarkable things about charitable giving is the vast number of ways you can make it work for you—and have an impact on the people, places, and things you care about most.

One route is through estate giving, a growing trend that allows you to create a future fund that will

award grants in perpetuity, ensuring an enduring contribution to the organizations you are passionate about. According to a 2011 report from the Giving USA Foundation, which tracks U.S. charitable giving trends, bequests were up nearly 19 percent in 2010.

In recent years, The Columbus Foundation, too, has seen this increase, welcoming a growing number of legacy gifts from individuals of all ages dedicated to helping the community today and in the future.

Many individuals are drawn to the fact that the Foundation has flexible options, and appreciate the assurance that by working with the Foundation, their charitable intent will be honored in perpetuity.

THE LEGACY SOCIETY Since 1991, The Columbus Foundation’s Legacy Society has recognized individuals who have let the Foundation know they plan to leave a gift to the community through a bequest, trust, life insurance policy, retirement fund, or charitable gift annuity. Serving as a trusted steward of these legacies, the Foundation ensures donors’ intent will be followed, benefiting the community for many years to come.

825.1

$

MILLION total amount of planned gifts as of 12/31/10

101 and giving for the future!

REGINA MOELLENKAMP has seen the world change dramatically during her lifetime. Born in West Jefferson in 1911, she remembers how hard it was to be a farming family during the Depression.

After graduating from high school in 1929 and moving to Columbus, Mrs. Moellenkamp took a job as a switchboard operator with the Ohio Bell Telephone Company, where her career lasted more than 32 years.

In 2003, she established a planned gift through The Columbus Foundation. Her fund, to be named the F.A. and R.A.M. Fund after her and her late husband, will help support nonprofits that serve the homeless and disabled, and organizations working with individuals who have cerebral palsy. Her fund will also provide scholarships for central Ohio students with special needs.

674 members of The Legacy Society

WE’RE HERE TO HELP! Learn more about The Columbus Foundation and our Planned Giving services by contacting Angela Parsons, J.D., associate director of planned giving, at 614/251-4000, or by e-mail, aparsons@columbusfoundation.org.

Professional Council Chairs Named We’re pleased to introduce the 2012 chairs of The Columbus Foundation’s Professional Council: KAREN MOORE, partner with Bricker & Eckler and chair of the firm’s Trusts and Estates practice group, and JIM BUDROS, principal of Budros, Ruhlin & Roe, Inc. Today, the Council consists of more than 160 attorneys, accountants, and other professional advisors partnering with us to help their clients create personalized philanthropic plans.

They meet periodically to network and learn more about their field, the community, and the Foundation. For a complete list of members, visit http://columbusfoundation.org/publication/ nexus-summer-2012/

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“WE THANK AND CONGRATULATE everyone who was part of The Big Give—our generous donors, dedicated nonprofits, and our responsive community!

You helped central Ohio realize a magnificent achievement,” said David R. Meuse, 2011 Columbus Foundation Governing Committee Chairman.

COLLABORATIVE The Big Give was bolstered from the start by $1 million in matching funds from a Governing Committee approved grant and a group of Foundation donors. Thanks to these initial matching funds, everyone’s donations went even further.

VALUABLE Thanks to the remarkable spirit of dedication and commitment by Big Give participants in central Ohio and across the country, 501 nonprofit organizations can now do more, serve more, and go further than ever before.

THANKS TO YOU, THE BIG GIVE WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!

Over a 24-hour period, our big community came together to l $8,524,928 for 501 central Oh nonprofit organizations.

Initially created by The Columbus Foundation to give central Ohio nonprofits an economic boost, The Big Give became a philanthropic milestone for our community. Over a 24-hour-period, thousands of gifts poured in from all over the country, supporting everything from cancer research to the arts.

Fueled by a desire to help and a passion to strengthen and improve our community, Foundation donors and members of the community came together and made history.

INNOVATIVE Technology + Philanthropy Through the recently enhanced PowerPhilanthropy,® thousands of people who participated in The Big Give had a simple, smart, and secure way to give to the programs and organizations they are passionate about.

INSPIRING Habitat for Humanity Greater Columbus will be constructing the “Big Give House” this year to celebrate the 83 donors who generously gave more than $100,000 to support the organization during The Big Give.

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Photo by Greg Sailor; digitally altered by Base Art Co.

THE BIG GIVE BY THE NUM BERS $

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¢

¢ ¢

SIX AREAS OF GIVING

1 ¢

¢ ¢

¢ ¢

¢ ¢

¢ ¢

36%

Social Services

10K Foundation donors and community members who participated

¢ ¢

13.5¢ matched each dollar contributed

Nonprofits surveyed reported

39% of gifts received were from new donors or lapsed givers

30% Education

18% Health

12% Arts

hours of historic giving

2%

Animal Welfare

$

24

2%

Environment

FOUR new Foundation funds created

MILLION in matching funds from a Governing Committee approved grant and Foundation donors

©Randall Lee Schieber Photography

46% given from current Foundation donors and Supporting Foundations

Donations from 670 cities, including Baltimore, Baton Rouge, Chicago, Lexington, Los Angeles, Miami Beach, Milwaukee, Nashville, New York City, Phoenix, San Antonio, Seattle, Tallahassee.

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Celebrating 200 Years!

FOUNDATION EVENTS HONOR CITY’S HERITAGE AND CELEBRATE BRIGHT FUTURE Hundreds of donors, community leaders, and friends came together to celebrate Columbus’ Bicentennial at a series of extraordinary events held in The Columbus Foundation’s Davis Hall.

To honor the city and this historic occasion, the Foundation commissioned two remarkable young artists, Aaron Diehl and Barbara Fant, to create works that were premiered during the events held February 14, on Columbus’ birthday. Two central Ohio nonprofit organizations were also honored for their dedication to educating and strengthening our city and state.

The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks’ (OASHF) Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB) and

Columbus Historical Society (CHS) were recognized as the first recipients of the Foundation’s new Bicentennial Leadership Award. The award, created to benefit Columbus and the working poor across the state, honors the city’s past, present, and future.

A $200,000 grant to the OASHF will support OBB, a web-based, counselor-assisted program that helps Ohioans apply for and receive benefits and tax credits.

A $100,000 grant to CHS will help preserve and promote Columbus’ diverse history, including a new partnership and recent move to COSI. Founded in 1990, CHS preserves and collects artifacts and stories while educating Columbus residents about the history of the city.

In total, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.2 million in Bicentennial grants to support nonprofit organizations, programs, and services that positively impact the community. To see a full list of Bicentennial grants, visit http://columbusfoundation.org/publication/ nexus-summer-2012/

A SONG FOR THE AGES ACCLAIMED PIANIST AARON DIEHL was commissioned

by The Columbus Foundation to compose a tribute for Columbus in celebration of the city’s 200th birthday. Aaron was born and raised in Columbus. A graduate of Juilliard, he received the coveted international Cole Porter Jazz Fellowship in 2011 at the age of 25. To see a video that features Aaron at the Lincoln Theatre recording his musical gift to the city, visit http://columbusfoundation.org/publication/nexussummer-2012/

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200K

$

grant to Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks

100K

$

grant to Columbus Historical Society

Photo by: Dan Sharpe

FOUNDATION SNAPSHOTS

BARBARA FANT, an extremely talented and community-minded Columbus artist, was commissioned

by The Columbus Foundation to create a spokenword piece to celebrate and reflect on Columbus’ Bicentennial. This is an excerpt from the remarkable tribute to Columbus, titled “Today Beginning Again— ‘For Columbus.’”

Photo by: Lisa Jolley

Speaking From the Heart

Foundation donors Paula and Fred Brothers and Amy and Jim Chapman generously hosted two Foundation events in February for Florida-based friends and donors. Pictured at the Sarasota event are (l-r) Zuheir Sofia, Governing Committee Vice Chairman Barbara Siemer, and Susan Sofia.

Columbus, I found the sun tucked beneath the “us” at the end of the column, “B” You honeyed me into reflection of myself I was as smart and as open as a city light Found my face in the face of your eyes How your cocoon of a heart fireflied me into existence Rocketed me into moon and today We begin again — Remember the moment you caught your worth!

Columbus, your waters showed me how to dive To break the aquarium’s glass of my own mind Whatever kind your seed, there’s room

Patrick Losinski, Columbus Metropolitan Library CEO, center, chats with Victor Ferguson, right, and Dick Oman, during a recent Your Philanthropy event at the Foundation. The event focused on the future of the nation’s #1 library.

The Foundation’s Michael Wilkos, senior Community Research and Grants Management officer, delivers his “Columbus’ Surprising Past” presentation during a special event at the Foundation for professional advisors.

Whatever color your bud, let it bloom We all bend from the same colored stem And everyday Every new morning We get to begin Again

To listen to the full piece and get a behind-thescenes look at Barbara’s artistic process, visit http://columbusfoundation.org/publication/nexussummer-2012/

COLUMBUS’ HISTORY SPRINGS TO LIFE Do you know how many Christopher Columbus statues there are in Columbus?

Or what city council did in 1818 to pay its operating expenses?

These answers and more were part of an entertaining presentation Michael Wilkos shared on the history of Columbus at recent events celebrating the Bicentennial.

A passionate fan of Columbus since childhood, Michael, senior Community Research and Grants Management officer at the Foundation, was recently named Columbus’ #1 Fan by Columbus Monthly. To see Michael’s full presentation, visit http:// columbusfoundation.org/publication/nexussummer-2012/

The Foundation’s Lisa Courtice, executive vice president for Community Research and Grants Management, left, moderates a panel discussion surrounding Progress Made. Ground Lost. A Comprehensive Report on Child Care in Franklin County. Panelists (l-r) are: Paula Brooks, president of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners; Jessie Cannon, project director of the Ohio Business Roundtable; Alex Fischer, president and CEO of The Columbus Partnership; and Janet Jackson, president and CEO of United Way of Central Ohio.

The Foundation’s Lisa Jolley, director of Donor Services and Development, standing, chats with Legacy Society members (l-r): George and Debbie Smith, Ann and Jerry Newsom during a special Bicentennial-focused Legacy Society event at the Foundation.

NEXUS SUMMER 2012 / 9

Booming BizTown INSPIRING PROGRAM TEACHES REAL-WORLD SKILLS

allows the students to swoop into action upon arrival at BizTown, where they take their positions at one of 14 shops, businesses, and institutions.

“They run a real town. They apply for jobs, elect a mayor, and a lot more before they even get here. They might be a CEO, a CFO, an artist, or an ad executive.

Walking into Junior Achievement’s (JA) BizTown in They come up with a business plan, take out a loan, the middle of a session has a similar feeling to the all with the goal of paying off that loan, plus interest, excitement and organized chaos of an evening of by the end of the day,” said Jodi Shafley, co-director Gallery Hop on nearby High Street in the Short North. of JA BizTown.

BizTown, located in the former 2nd Avenue This innovative learning environment is clearly Elementary School, is JA’s simulated town for students successful in engaging and inspiring the students. from fourth through sixth grades. Over the past five They rush about from Huntington Bank, the post years, the program has taught more than 50,000 office, the Blue Jackets office, quickly broadcasting students a great deal about life skills, economics, live television and radio announcements throughout BizTown, all with an air of excitement and seriousness that is rare in traditional classrooms.

This —JODI SHAFLEY, JA BIZTOWN excitement about learning and citizen rights and responsibilities, and much more. confidence building are a key part of BizTown’s Students, roughly 90 percent of them fifth-graders, success and why businesses and corporations are work through 19 lesson plans with their teachers in supporting its mission. Beyond confidence building, advance of coming to BizTown for the big day. This the life skills that BizTown teaches are very important, preparation teaches many practical life skills and especially in our current economic climate.

“NOW, MORE THAN EVER, IT’S IMPORTANT TO TEACH STUDENTS FINANCIAL LITERACY.”

Columbus Foundation Opens Satellite Office at BizTown The Columbus Foundation recently set up a “satellite office” in BizTown to inspire community building and teach the importance of philanthropy while also supporting the mission of BizTown. On a recent afternoon, the Foundation’s 11-year-old development director was busy taking donations, making grants, and teaching peers what philanthropy and the Foundation are all about.

“Help us help others,” said Harmonie Thomas, a Sullivant Elementary fifth-grader. “I’m learning how good philanthropy can be. It’s hard work though.”

Supporting Junior Achievement through a $45,000 grant last April has provided the Foundation an opportunity to introduce philanthropy to local students. Thanks to support from ON Architects, The Daimler Group, Dupler Office, Feinknopf Photography, and Facility Strategies Limited, the Foundation was able to mimic many of the real-life elements in the BizTown replica.

“While the grant supports our philanthropy center, we have also had the unique opportunity to have Columbus Foundation staff members volunteer, which makes this all the more worthwhile,” said Diane Higginbotham, The Columbus Foundation’s scholarship manager.

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Lisa Schweitzer Courtice, Ph.D. Executive Vice President for Community Research and Grants Management

Spotlight on PowerPhilanthropy®

PowerPhilanthropy A goldmine of info on local nonprofits Did you know that 40 percent of the 600 central Ohio nonprofit organizations featured in PowerPhilanthropy have received a competitive grant from The Columbus Foundation? These nonprofits have been awarded funding after undergoing a highly competitive, rigorous application and review process.

Program areas include education, arts, and social services.

TCF COMPETITIVE GRANT IN THE PAST 3 YEARS The next time you log in, look for this “TCF Competitive Grant” banner on a nonprofit portrait.

FOUNDATION WELCOMES NEW GOVERNING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS Michael J. Fiorile elected to lead Committee

FEATURE NONPROFIT (ONE OF 600!)

GRANGE INSURANCE AUDUBON CENTER

The Columbus Foundation’s Governing Committee has elected a new chairman and vice chairman, and welcomed three new members. These community leaders volunteer their time to provide stewardship for the Foundation and its charitable activities.

Opened in 2009 and located just south of downtown on the Scioto River, Grange Insurance Audubon Center has become synonymous with inspiring central Ohioans to embrace the wonders of nature and learn about conservation efforts.

The center’s hands-on programs offer children and adults a firsthand look at conservation and nature in the heart of the city.

“We work with approximately 400 to 500 Columbus City Schools students a year,” said Christie Vargo, center director.

“We build on their experiences over the course of 12 field trips for each classroom. We also tie our curriculum directly to classroom learning with a focus on science concepts, math, and language arts.”

In addition to being open to the public six days a week, the center offers adult and family nature education programs and special events throughout the year.

“While Audubon is about conservation outcomes, our relationship with the schools is a win-win. The students learn about science and the center moves the needle on conservation impact,” Ms. Vargo said.

Michael J. Fiorile, president and COO of The Dispatch Printing Company, was elected chairman.

Mr. Fiorile has been a Committee member since 2008.

Barbara J. Siemer, community leader and Committee member since 2010, was elected vice chairman.

The three new members were all elected to seven-year terms.

David P. Blom has served as president and CEO of OhioHealth since March 2002. Under his leadership, OhioHealth has grown from six to eight member hospitals, and also manages two and supports nine hospitals in Ohio under an affiliation agreement. OhioHealth was named one of the Ten Best Healthcare Systems in America in 2009, 2010, and 2011 by Thomson Reuters.

TO LEARN MORE If you have additional questions, please contact Lisa Courtice at p2@columbusfoundation.org.

To learn more about the Grange Insurance Audubon Center, and about hundreds of other nonprofit organizations in our community, visit PowerPhilanthropy at www.columbusfoundation.org/p2

Rendering courtesy of CDDC

Transformative Community Investment

SCIOTO GREENWAYS PROJECT TO REVITALIZE SCIOTO RIVER The Columbus Foundation was recently recognized by the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation as one of the early partners in the Scioto Greenways Project, which will remove the Main Street Dam to support river restoration and create invaluable green space downtown.

A $500,000 grant, payable over four years from the Robert Bartels, Robert B. Hurst, James W. Overstreet, and Martha G. Staub funds of The Columbus Foundation, will support the project, which will deepen the river from its current depth of 7–8 feet to 16 feet deep in some areas, and reduce the width of the river from 520 feet to 275 feet.

Removing the dam and restoring the river will restore a more natural channel for the Scioto River, have a positive impact on the aquatic habitat resulting in improvement to the river’s health and water quality, and eliminate another separation barrier that prevents native fish and mussel species from migrating upstream.

The plan will also create an additional 33 acres of green space downtown, increase pedestrian and bikeway connections and recreational opportunities, and connect The Ohio State University with downtown through a greenway corridor.

C. Robert Kidder served as chairman of the board of Chrysler Group LLC from June 2009 until September 2011. He cofounded 3Stone Advisors LLC in 2006, after he joined Stonehenge Partners, Inc., as a principal and partner in 2004. Previously, Mr. Kidder served as chairman and CEO of Borden, Inc. and Duracell International Inc. Dwight E. Smith founded Sophisticated Systems, Inc., an IT consulting firm, in 1990. Mr. Smith has 30 years of experience in the IT industry, and previously held positions with IBM, Cullinet Software, Inc., and Software Alternatives, Inc. Also serving on the Governing Committee are Jerry Jurgensen, Bruce A. Soll, Barbara Trueman, and Matthew D. Walter.

NEXUS SUMMER 2012 / 11

F O R M ER LY K N OW N A S

Commentary

IT IS HERE IN WEINLAND PARK, TANNY CRANE , a champion for

children, is working with community leaders to develop strategies to strengthen and improve the neighborhood— and create a bright future for all the kids who call it home.

Tanny joins us in thanking you for working with us to help others through the most effective philanthropy possible.

Smart Philanthropy for a Smart City

Tanny Crane, Foundation donor and past Governing Committee vice chairman, at the Schoenbaum Family Center