The Columbus Foundation

The Spirit of Columbus® Award was created in honor of Jerrie Mock’s historic flight around the world in her single-engine Cessna named Spirit of Columbus. Each year, The Columbus Foundation presents the award to a member of our community who reflects Jerrie’s bravery, determination, and inspiration through their actions. This year, we were honored to present the award to keyboard virtuoso Bobby Floyd in recognition of his remarkable artistic achievement and lasting contributions to the cultural life of central Ohio. An Emmy Award-winning and Grammy-nominated artist, Bobby’s extraordinary career has included touring with legendary artists such as Ray Charles and Dr. John. Here in central Ohio, he continues to enrich our community through his inspired musicianship, including as a cherished member of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. We captured the surprise announcement and the moving musical tributes that followed. Watch the video celebrating Bobby Floyd and his enduring impact on our community. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/e69d8k6k.  Special thanks to the following musicians who joined us in celebration: Byron Stripling, Jeff Ciampa, Reggie Jackson, Derek DiCenzo, Bryan Olsheski, Sydney McSweeney, and Jimmi Love. Video Production by Vital Companies LLC. https://lnkd.in/eMMfAQmn

This summer, the Center for HumanKindness, an initiative of The Columbus Foundation, is bringing kindness and connection directly into the community through its Kindness Street Team. Powered by staff and interns, the Kindness Street Team is setting up at farmers' markets, neighborhood events, and community gatherings across central Ohio to invite meaningful conversations about kindness, social connection, and the role each of us can play in strengthening our region. Stop by the blue tent and meet the team, learn more about local social enterprises and nonprofits, connect with others, and even spin the Kindness Prize Wheel. Upcoming stops include: 📍 May 21: Bexley Farmers Market 📍 May 23: Clintonville Farmers Market 📍 May 28: Rise Up CBUS! 📍 May 30: Westerville Farmers Market 📍 June 3 & 17: Upper Arlington Market 📍 June 6: Worthington Farmers Market 📍 June 11: Healthy New Albany Farmers Market 📍 June 13: PBJ & Jazz Kindness grows when people connect. Say hello and learn how you can help build a stronger, kinder central Ohio. Looking for more ways to get involved? Learn more about Kindness Close to Home, an initiative that encourages individuals to host small gatherings with their neighbors—on a porch, over a backyard barbeque, or at a local park: https://lnkd.in/e9bvKx33.

On Tuesday, September 29, The Big Table® returns—a community-wide day of conversation across central Ohio! Since 2016, The Big Table has created space for intentional dialogue: a chance to meet new people, share experiences, and actively listen in pursuit of a kinder, more connected community. Individuals and organizations, including schools, workplaces, nonprofits, faith communities, and neighborhood groups, are invited to host or join conversations on topics that matter to them. Whatever the topic, the goal is the same: to build momentum toward a brighter future for all. Registration and materials, including Host and Conversation Guides, will be available on Thursday, August 13. Save the date and consider how you and your organization can make room for connection: thebigtable.org.

Yesterday’s groundbreaking for the future Poindexter Village African American Museum marked a powerful milestone for Columbus’ Near East Side. Poindexter Village was one of the nation’s first public housing communities and became home to generations of families, artists, educators, professionals, and community leaders whose lives and contributions helped shape Columbus. As Shelbi Toone, Project Director for Poindexter Village African American Museum at the Ohio History Connection, shared: “Poindexter Village is not only a part of Columbus history. It is a part of American history. And today, we take an important step to ensure that that story is told fully, truly, and with care.” The future museum will honor the lives, stories, and legacy of the people who made Poindexter Village a place of hope, dignity, stability, and pride—and create space for future generations to see themselves reflected not only in the past, but in what comes next. Toone added, “We are not just groundbreaking. We are building belonging. We are building recognition. And we are building a future that honors the past while making space for generations still to come.” Congratulations to the Ohio History Connection, the James Preston Poindexter Foundation, Union Grove Baptist Church, Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, and all who helped bring this vision forward.

Ninety-four Columbus City Schools - Ohio students were honored this week as Best All-Around Students by the Columbus Youth Foundation, a Supporting Foundation of The Columbus Foundation. Recognized at Huntington Park before the Columbus Clippers game, these students represent academic achievement, leadership, service, and involvement in their schools and communities. Since 1985, this award has celebrated young people who are not only excelling in the classroom but also showing up for others. We’re proud to celebrate this year’s students and the bright future they’re helping shape. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gNmvqzib

Congratulations to Bobby Floyd, renowned keyboardist and this year’s Spirit of Columbus Award honoree! An Emmy Award-winning and Grammy-nominated artist, Bobby Floyd has inspired audiences across central Ohio and around the world through a lifetime of extraordinary musicianship. From performing with legendary artists to bringing joy to local audiences, his artistry reflects the bravery, determination, and inspiration embodied by Jerrie Mock, the trailblazing aviatrix who inspired this award. Join us in celebrating a beloved artist whose music continues to enrich the cultural life of central Ohio. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gRGZvzgd

Learning, together—across communities. This week, Heather Tsavaris, Principal Consultant for Community Well-being: Design & Impact, is at the Skoll Foundation’s Skoll World Forum in Oxford, sharing how human-centered design is taking shape in our community and learning alongside leaders from around the world. “Spending the week in Oxford at Skoll has been enlightening. We’ve been sharing how we do co-design here in Columbus and learning from colleagues all over the world! So grateful to be with a team from citiesRISE and Templeton World Charity Foundation to think about how we advance youth well-being!” We’re excited to see how these insights can help strengthen our community! #SkollWF

Learning to appreciate the natural world can begin anytime, at any age. Explore how Ribbit!, a free Columbus children’s magazine from Naturewise Columbus, is helping curious minds discover science and nature in their own backyards—inspiring the next generation to care for our planet. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gvtWueCW

Seeds of Caring is doing meaningful work to help children and families connect learning with service. Their approach gives young people a chance to better understand community needs and take part in addressing them in ways that feel real, thoughtful, and lasting. Read the Story of Impact: https://lnkd.in/gEuzpw_g.

Caring for our environment is also a way of caring for one another. Earth Day Columbus is offering volunteer opportunities throughout the city, with a searchable tool to help people find projects near them. Community-wide efforts like this create practical ways for residents to take part in strengthening the neighborhoods we share. Join the 2026 Earth Day Celebration at Scioto Audubon Metro Park on Sunday, April 26, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.! Explore opportunities: https://lnkd.in/g-sfEmKn.