In 2014, a Columbus Foundation donor approached the Foundation with an idea—to establish a fund that provides one-time grants to help lift up individuals and families who experience an unexpected setback.
The Gifts of Kindness Fund was established in September 2014, with a generous gift of $500,000 from that compassionate donor. The goal is not only to provide financial support, but to illustrate how acts of kindness throughout our community make a difference—and inspire others to do the same.
“We were inspired to create the Gifts of Kindness Fund for two reasons: to provide meaningful, one-time, life-changing gifts to help lift people up during a setback, and to motivate others to participate in acts of kindness as well.”
—Gifts of Kindness Founding Donor
Gifts of Kindness Grant Examples:
A 54-year-old woman raising her two grandsons was unable to work while undergoing treatment for cancer. Assistance from the Gifts of Kindness Fund enabled them to maintain their housing until she was able to return to work.
A pregnant single mom on unpaid maternity leave with a six-year-old son was given rental assistance through Gifts of Kindness because she had to use her savings to contest a utility account that was fraudulently opened in her name.
A man with cancer lost his employment during treatment. After he and his significant other depleted their savings, they were finding it difficult to make ends meet. He went through loan modification for his mortgage to decrease his monthly expenses and applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). A Gift of Kindness grant helped fill his income gap until he started receiving SSDI.
View Gifts of Kindness updates, or find information about how to make a contribution to the fund to help others in our community here.