General

2025 Scholarships

Posted January 13, 2025 by Jean Spinosi

The Catholic Foundation’s online scholarship application period will open on Friday, January 31.

A complete list of available scholarships, qualifications, and application details can be found at https://catholic-foundation.org/grants/scholarships/. The application deadline for all scholarships is Friday, February 28, except for the Ronald C. Sullivan Scholarship, which will remain open until March 24. Scholarship recipients will be notified in May.

Several scholarships are available for students in the Catholic Diocese of Columbus. Last year, thanks to the generosity of its donors, The Catholic Foundation awarded over $200,000 in scholarships. To date, the Foundation has granted over $1.75 million to help empower young people in their academic and vocational studies.

If you have questions about specific scholarships or the application process, please contact Dan Kurth, Vice President of Grants & Community Impact, at 614-443-8893 or dkurth@catholic-foundation.org.

Optimize Your Complex Assets

Posted May 21, 2024 by Jean Spinosi

Our team has experience managing complex assets, including business interest, commercial and residential property, oil and gas interest, Crypto, retained life estate, sale of a business, and S Corp stocks. Utilizing complex assets for charitable giving could result in a tax deduction and amplify the impact on your favorite charity.

Please contact Scott Hartman for more information at shartman@catholic-foundation.org or 614-443-8893.

Cemetery with large green trees American flags.

Fund Spotlight: Catholic Cemeteries of Columbus

Posted July 11, 2023 by The Catholic Foundation of Ohio

Catholic Cemeteries of Columbus

The importance of a proper burial is stressed throughout the Gospel.  Showing compassion for others and treating everyone with the dignity and respect they deserve is at the heart of the corporate works of mercy, and our deceased loved ones are no different.  “Our cemeteries represent the tradition that accompanies burying the dead and their perpetual care until Christ returns,” says Deacon Jeffrey Fortkamp, Director of Catholic Cemeteries of Columbus.

The Catholic Cemeteries serves around 1,000 families each year by helping the faithful accept death in the context of our Catholic faith and provide a dignified burial and eternal resting spot. Mt. Calvary, St. Joseph, Resurrection, and Holy Cross’ daily operations, including the maintenance of the scenic grounds, are covered by an existing fund. Deacon Jeffrey wants to ensure these properties are protected from any unexpected, extraordinary expenses, which is the purpose of The St. Callistus Catholic Cemeteries of Columbus Perpetual Care Endowment Fund that was recently established at The Catholic Foundation.

The St. Callistus Fund will help with costs that, for example, are incurred outside of warranty work on fixing broken equipment, road repairs due to excess weather damage, and deteriorated buildings that result from age and harsh weather. “Knowing an unforeseen expense will be covered under The St. Callistus Fund gives me and my team the peace of mind to focus on what we do best, which is ministering to the faithful in their time of need and grief,” says Deacon Jeffery. 

Give to The St. Callistus Catholic Cemeteries of Columbus Perpetual Care Endowment Fund:

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Headshot of Loren Brown.

Loren Brown Recognized by Consortium of Catholic Foundations

Posted July 11, 2023 by The Catholic Foundation of Ohio

In June, Loren Brown, President & CEO of The Catholic Foundation, was recognized by the Consortium of Catholic Foundations for his service and leadership to this self-governing chief executive peer community.  Loren played a vital role in the original group of CEO’s who met in 2012 in San Jose, California to share strategies and help each other with the tools to effectively lead a Catholic foundation.  

This initial meeting in San Jose set the precedent with more CEO’s gathering annually to share best practices and help each other address crucial issues and opportunities.  In 2021, Loren was a part of a founders team that helped formalize the Consortium of Catholic Foundations and the annual CEO Symposium, which this past May hosted 34 chief executives from Catholic foundations across the nation. 

“It has been a privilege to work along-side so many dedicated leaders in our Catholic faith. Establishing the Consortium will continue to be a gift for many years to Catholic foundation leaders who want to have the greatest impact on the many needs in their respective Catholic communities.  I am blessed to be a part of the Consortium which has been a great resource to my leadership here in Columbus.”  

Throughout his tenure with the Consortium of Catholic Foundations, Loren displayed unwavering leadership and passion for his work and was always available to share his knowledge with other peer Foundation leaders.  Loren will continue to share his experiences and provide guidance as a newly minted member of the Steering Committee Emeritus Group and annual member of the Consortium. 

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“Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 
2 Corinthians 9: 6-7

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