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Community Development : Community Foundations

The Columbus Foundation

Strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

four stars

95.05

1234 East Broad Street Columbus, OH 43205
tel: (614) 251-4000   Web Site
EIN: 31-6044264

Board Leadership
Matthew Walter
Chairman

CEO
Douglas F. Kridler
President, CEO

 
 

This organization has shared information about their results and/or practices to help inform your giving. Click to view this data.

  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 95.05 four stars
  Financial 100.00 four stars
  Accountability & Transparency 93.00 four stars
This rating was published 05/01/2019 and includes data from FY2017, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

The Columbus Foundation serves more than 2,500 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. Now 75 years strong, The Columbus Foundation is Your Trusted Philanthropic Advisor® and is one of the top ten largest community foundation in the country. Since 1943, people from all walks of life have partnered with The Columbus Foundation to support the causes they care about. We offer unparalleled resources, services, and community knowledge to help donors make the most of their charitable giving.

The Columbus Foundation serves more than 2,500 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. Now 75 years strong, The Columbus Foundation is Your Trusted Philanthropic Advisor® and is one of the top ten largest community foundation in the country. Since 1943, people from all walks of life have partnered with The Columbus Foundation to support the causes they care about. We offer unparalleled resources, services, and community knowledge to help donors make the most of their charitable giving.

Impact Information

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Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

four stars

100.00

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

93.00

This rating was published 05/01/2019 and includes data from FY2017, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 96.7%
  Administrative Expenses 1.8%
  Fundraising Expenses 1.3%
  Fundraising Efficiency < $0.01
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 10.57
  Program Expenses Growth 15.5%
  Liabilities to Assets 0.4%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by The Columbus Foundation on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by The Columbus Foundation on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
The Columbus Foundation (OH) 95.05 four stars
Greater Kansas City Community Foundation (MO) 93.32 four stars
Community Foundation for Monterey County (CA) 94.69 four stars
West Central Initiative (MN) 93.05 four stars
Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (VI) 98.23 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $174,642,988
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $0
   Related Organizations $6,177,900
   Government Grants $590,714
Total Contributions $181,411,602
   Program Service Revenue $0
Total Primary Revenue $181,411,602
   Other Revenue $87,311,774
TOTAL REVENUE $268,723,376
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $170,463,414
   Administrative Expenses $2,989,209
   Fundraising Expenses $2,413,662
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $175,866,285
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $92,857,091
   
Net Assets $1,732,906,806

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Education $61,968,258 36.4%
Arts and Humanities $30,397,369 17.8%
Social Services $30,361,648 17.8%

Ratings History
The Columbus Foundation has received 8 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator.

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2017-12 05/01/2019 95.05 four stars
2016-12 06/01/2018 95.05 four stars
2015-12 06/01/2017 95.05 four stars
2014-12 06/01/2016 95.05 four stars
 
CN 2.0
2013-12 07/01/2015 91.63 four stars
2012-12 04/01/2014 97.84 four stars
2011-12 04/01/2013 97.80 four stars
2010-12 04/01/2012 97.84 four stars
2009-12 09/20/2011 88.83 three stars
 
CN 1.0
2009-12 04/01/2011 89.74 three stars
2008-12 05/01/2010 99.42 four stars
2007-12 11/01/2008 99.51 four stars
2006-12 09/01/2007 98.99 four stars
2005-12 10/01/2006 89.29 three stars
2004-12 10/01/2005 83.36 three stars
2003-12 10/01/2004 82.88 three stars
2002-12 10/01/2003 76.72 two stars
2001-12 04/15/2003 87.15 three stars
2000-12 04/15/2002 92.77 four stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 31-6044264
Name in IRS Master File COLUMBUS FOUNDATION
NTEE Code T31
NTEE Classification Community Foundations
NTEE Type Philanthropy, Voluntarism and Grantmaking Foundations
Classification Charitable Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (602) Gifts, grants, or loans to other organizations
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
Affiliation Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations).
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date October, 1937
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End December
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • December, 2017
  • December, 2016
  • December, 2015
  • December, 2014
  • December, 2013
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$676,215 0.38% Douglas F. Kridler President, CEO

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
The Columbus Foundation (OH) 95.05 four stars
Wyoming Community Foundation (WY) 87.58 three stars
Community Foundation of Henderson County (NC) 95.17 four stars
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country Inc. (TX) 86.92 three stars
Greater Washington Community Foundation (DC) 94.28 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

This charity has an official representative registered with Charity Navigator.

Charity Contact Info

The Columbus Foundation
1234 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43205
tel: (614) 251-4000
fax: (614) 251-4009
EIN: 31-6044264

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Matthew Walter
Chairman

CEO

Douglas F. Kridler
President, CEO

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