Grants | Columbia Foundation

WHO WE HELP

COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND

In 2021, the Columbia Foundation launched a new giving program -- the Community Impact Fund (CIF) – to focus its giving and produce a greater impact for supported organizations. Through the CIF, the Foundation awards three $20,000 grants each year in specific areas chosen with input from Columbia Country Club members. Grants have been fielded in the areas of Education, Health and Wellness, Family and Housing (including food security), Veterans and Older Adults.

To be considered for a CIF grant, successful organizations provide needs-based services within the Greater Washington area and show demonstrable positive outcomes within its area of focus. Operational and financial transparency, administrative efficiency and effective leadership are also critical factors.

The Foundation strives to develop relationships with its grantees and preference is often given to organizations that have members of Columbia Country Club either serving on its Board or participating in a significant volunteer capacity. Similarly, organizations that offer opportunities for the Club to extend in-kind contributions and that welcome Club members to volunteer and engage in an active way may also be given preference.

2022 CIF grantees were the Greater DC Diaper Bank, Washington Jesuit Academy, and Mercy Health Clinic, and in 2023, Don Bosco Cristo Rey, Jewish Council for the Aging and St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth and Families all received CIF awards.

In addition to the financial support provided by a CIF grant, the Foundation has organized donation campaigns within Columbia Country Club to benefit each grantee’s clients. For instance, school supplies and backpacks have been provided to educational institutions and over-the-counter medical supplies and toiletries were donated to Mercy Health Clinic.

For more information on the CIF process, or to learn more about how a local charitable organization might be considered in future rounds of funding, please email columbiagivesback@gmail.org.

CLICK to learn more or apply for a Grant Application

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The Columbia Foundation promotes the power of community by investing in local charities and supporting Club employees. Since 2000 the Foundation has donated nearly a million dollars to community-based charities and granted close to $400,000 to Club employees.

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2023 GRANT RECIPIENTS

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Don Bosco Cristo Rey, Washington, DC

Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School and Corporate Work Study Program is a Catholic college-preparatory school for young men and women from the Washington, DC area who have the need and the motivation to help earn their own tuition money through an innovative Corporate Work Study program. In the tradition of the Salesians of Don Bosco, DBCR emphasizes the importance of Faith, Family, Future, and Fun in education.

Jewish Council for the Aging, Rockville, Maryland

JCA helps older adults in the Greater Washington, D.C. region maintain independence, dignity, vitality, and self-respect.

St. Ann's Center for Children, Youth and Families, Hyattsville, Maryland

St. Ann’s Center helps mothers and children overcome crisis and achieve lasting independence and stability by providing a safe and supportive home, child care, education and employment assistance, and clinical social work services within a Catholic community that welcomes all.

COLUMBIA'S EMPLOYEES

Employee Assistance Fund

With truly fortuitous timing, the Columbia Foundation established the Employee Assistance Fund (EAF) in late 2019, with the goal of helping Club employees who were experiencing financial hardship due to crisis or unforeseen emergency.

Amid the distress and adversity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Club members displayed amazing generosity and compassion through overwhelming support of the EAF. The Foundation was able to close the gap on critical employee needs and made over $350,000 in grants, helping over 100 employees with groceries, housing assistance, utility payments, medical expenses, childcare, and more.

Since its inception, the EAF was designed to be flexible in its ability to pivot and respond to ever-changing circumstances and needs of Club employees. Although the pandemic has ended, the EAF continues to support employees who experience crises or emergencies that create financial trials.

"My family and I want to thank the Columbia Foundation for all the help that this organization is doing for our staff. Many, many thanks to all the organizers from the bottom of our hearts."
~long-time Columbia Country Club employee

Educational Assistance Initiative

The Foundation expanded its support of employees in the spring of 2023 with an educational assistance initiative designed to build the knowledge, confidence, and competency of Columbia’s valuable full- and part-time team. ESL classes, culinary arts, hospitality skills development, efforts towards a college degree or vocational certification – all of this and more is possible. With $25,000 in EAF seed money for this initiative, the Foundation has granted nearly $20,000 so far and is exploring ways to expand scholarship opportunities even further, including a seasonal employee scholarship program beginning in summer 2024.

Katherine Montoya, one of the Foundation’s first grantees, is a graduate of Albert Einstein High School and a part-time employee at Columbia since 2021. Headed into her sophomore year, Katherine is pursuing a degree in Marketing at Catholic University.