Community Collaboratives
The Columbus Foundation often teams up with area funders and community leaders to strengthen its impact––improving the quality of life for central Ohioians through partnership. Below are examples of current collaborative projects for which the Foundation provides leadership and resources.
The Capacity Building Initiative: Strengthening Growing Organizations (CBI) is designed to build the organizational capacity of area nonprofits, with an emphasis on small to mid-sized organizations. CBI was developed by The Columbus Foundation in collaboration with:
Capacity building is being defined as “providing learning resources and assistance that help an organization effectively carry out its mission and deliver services at its optimum level in response to community needs.” CBI expects to serve a minimum of 20 organizations with varying levels and intensity of assistance over a two-year period. Assistance will be provided through consultant services, training stipends, general education sessions, and the guidance of selected training or nonprofit-support organizations in Ohio.
The goals of CBI are to:
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Provide organizations with guidance and information that substantially increases the ability to implement effective direct and indirect services
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Strengthen organizations by improving capacity in areas such as board development, personnel, financial stability, responsiveness, and operational sustainability
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Improve the ability of foundation and funding partners to make effective grants to impactful organizations
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Develop a comprehensive list of high-quality, effective consultants to share with the nonprofit and greater community
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Increase trust and openness between the funding and nonprofit community
For more information contact Sandi Smith, senior community research and grants management officer, by e-mail or 614/251-4000.
Created in 1992, the Community Development Collaborative of Greater Columbus (CDC) seeks to strengthen the capacity of community development corporations CDCs to develop affordable housing opportunities and pursue neighborhood revitalization initiatives. Governed by a 10-member board of trustees, the partnership of funders––comprised of corporations and foundations, as well as federal, state, and local government agencies––is committed to revitalizing distressed neighborhoods in greater Columbus. CDC was developed by The Columbus Foundation in collaboration with:
The Collaborative achieves its mission by serving as a local funding intermediary, pooling funds from a number of public and private sources and channeling them to eligible CDCs. By providing these operating funds, the Collaborative strengthens the capacity of CDCs to serve as leaders in neighborhood revitalization. Since 2000, the Collaborative has administered nearly $5 million in grant funding to community development organizations in Franklin County. The Collaborative has made awards to 13 organizations that have developed 468 units of affordable housing.
In 2007, the Collaborative developed a new production-based funding approach, which encourages CDCs to improve the physical conditions of central city neighborhoods through the production of safe, affordable rental and owner-occupied housing; engage in sustainable development activities that flow from a clearly defined and implemented strategic plan; and encourage the creation of wealth-building activities that support the reintroduction of retail and commercial enterprise providing essential goods and services. The Collaborative continues to stimulate systems development and change; build strong, durable CDCs; and accomplish specific demonstrable and significant objectives in the production of affordable housing, economic development, community safety, and other aspects of community building.
For more information contact Emily Savors, director of Community Research and Grants Management by e-mail or 614/251-4000.
In the fall of 2006, the Community Health Funders' Collaborative (CHFC) is designed to explore the development of a funders’ collaborative to support issues related to health and general wellness. CHFC was developed by The Columbus Foundation in collaboration with:
This interest was the result of the previous participation in supporting a community project known as Healthy & Fit, an initiative to reduce the prevalence of obesity. During the ensuing months, the funders developed a common vision and general operating procedures for CHFC.
CHFC expects its efforts to lead to demonstrated impact on community health and wellness issues that surpass those possible through individual efforts. CHFC also expects the costs for identifying, exploring, and prioritizing issues to be lower when conducted as a group rather than independently. A guiding principal of CHFC is to serve as a complement to each organization's funding efforts. CHFC's core members have agreed to share equally in costs for administrative support of the effort and retained a project director to manage the work. Additionally, CHFC will encourage other funders to join as project partners, investing in specific projects identified by CHFC.
CHFC will begin its first grantmaking initiative in 2008. This initial effort will invest in projects related to improving healthy eating and physical activity through modifications in the environment. The process will allow for the development of a cooperative approach with selected grantees and a phased proposal submission process intended to lead to the development of innovative, evidence-based projects.
For more information contact Lisa Courtice, Ph.D., vice president, Community Research and Grants Management by e-mail at or 614/251-4000.