Five Settlement Houses Each Receive $10,000 Grant from The Columbus Foundation’s Center for HumanKindness
Columbus, OH (November 13, 2022)—Today, on World Kindness Day, the Center for HumanKindness at The Columbus Foundation announced that five local nonprofit organizations have been selected to receive the first-ever HumanKindness Prize. The HumanKindness Prize, which recognizes nonprofits that exemplify unwavering and intentional human kindness in action, was awarded to central Ohio’s five settlement houses: Central Community House, Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center, Gladden Community House, Godman Guild Association, and St. Stephen’s Community House.
In partnership with The Walter Foundation, a Supporting Foundation of The Columbus Foundation, each HumanKindness Prize honoree received a $10,000 unrestricted grant. The Walter Foundation makes transformational gifts to enhance the health, educational attainment, and quality of life for people in central Ohio on behalf of Margaret and Robert Walter, founder of Cardinal Health.
“As bridge builders and empathetic connectors, the five central Ohio settlement houses share a strong commitment to honoring each person’s humanity,” said Kate Oliphint, Director of Kindness at The Columbus Foundation.
“Through their incredible programs and services, these five organizations have been spreading kindness and fostering belonging throughout our region for a combined 481 years.”
Kate Oliphint, Director of Kindness at The Columbus Foundation
Part of the international settlement house movement that brought social services to underserved neighborhoods, settlement houses have a deep and rich history in the central Ohio region beginning with the Godman Guild Association’s founding in 1898. Settlement houses are neighborhood centers with a guiding philosophy of building community within neighborhoods to develop their strengths, while providing social services across the lifespan such as child care, housing support, education, senior services, and more. Today, the five remaining central Ohio settlement houses continue to provide critical community-based social services throughout our region.
Inaugural HumanKindness Prize honorees:
Central Community House is a neighborhood-based community center in the Near East neighborhood of Columbus that offers free comprehensive programming and community services to create a sense of community for all. Founded in 1936, Central Community House’s mission is to empower people to reach their full potential, be self-supporting, and live cooperatively with others by building a community that meets the needs and nourishes the creative aspirations of one another.
Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center (CRC) is a community-based social services agency that brings people together to help individuals and families build upon their strengths. Founded in 1971, CRC promotes self-sufficiency while respecting individual worth, rights, and dignity, creating a greater quality of life for everyone throughout the community. CRC offers a variety of programs and services, including the Choice Food Pantry, the Kindship Care Program, youth and senior services, and more.
Gladden Community House is a nonprofit agency that offers a broad range of social services to individuals, families, and groups. Located in the heart of Franklinton on the near west side of Columbus, Gladden Community House’s mission is to strengthen the well-being of Franklinton’s children, families, and community, and to build a thriving equitable neighborhood. Gladden Community House has been serving the community for more than 115 years.
Godman Guild Association, Columbus’ oldest settlement house, has been proudly serving the community for 124 years. Established in 1898, Godman Guild Association was created to promote strong families and a strong community. Today, the organization focuses on two key areas: youth and family education and workforce development. Godman Guild Association strives to create generations of educated, empowered citizens in all of the neighborhoods that the organization serves.
St. Stephen’s Community House is committed to assisting residents in the Greater Linden area to build community, self-sufficiency, and individual well-being. Founded in 1919 as the Barthman Ave. Catholic Community House, today St. Stephen’s Community House seeks to strengthen families and empower our community by uplifting values of faith, dignity, connection, security, advocacy, and impact. The organization’s vision is that Linden becomes a community of togetherness with endless opportunities.
The HumanKindness Prize is an unrestricted grant to honor and support the mission of the selected nonprofit. Recipients of the HumanKindness Prize are selected by an anonymous panel. The awards are made “out of the blue,” without any application process or specified timing. Continuous discovery of the activities and plans of the central Ohio community’s nonprofits is part of the ongoing due diligence for selecting prize honorees.
Watch the video to learn more:
About The Columbus Foundation
The Columbus Foundation, one of the top 10 community foundations in the United States, serves more than 3,000 individuals, families, and businesses that have created unique funds and planned gifts to make a difference in the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible.
About the Center for HumanKindness
In May 2021, The Columbus Foundation created the Center for HumanKindness to cultivate a culture of kindness that honors the humanity of one another and fosters belonging and connection in our communities. Research shows that kind acts, big or small, are transformative for the giver, receiver, and those who witness them. We invite you to join us on our journey for kindness resources, inspiration, and service opportunities.
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