SPRING 2016 NEX∙US (nĕk’s s) N., 1. A MEANS OF CONNECTION; A LINK OR TIE. 2. A CONNECTED SERIES OR GROUP. 3. THE CORE OR CENTER. 6 BOOKS THAT INSPIRED ME Cathe Kobacker shares her favorites 5 NONPROFITS TO WATCH 4 ANNOUNCED FOR 2016! 5 TWO MINUTES WITH… ALEX SHUMATE Renowned attorney and former Governing Committee member offers insights on Columbus 3 INSPIRING CHANGE Family focuses on making a difference 6 SPREADING GIFTS OF KINDNESS Columbus Underground event was scene for acts of kindness 04374.indd 1 5/16/16 1:46 PM Spring 2016 GOVERNING COMMITTEE C. Robert Kidder Chairman Matthew D. Walter PRESIDENT’S Vice Chairman David P. Blom Joseph A. Chlapaty PERSPECTIVE Michael P. Glimcher Lisa A. Hinson Nancy Kramer Barbara J. Siemer Dwight E. Smith Douglas F. Kridler President and CEO Raymond J. Biddiscombe, CPA Douglas F. Kridler Senior Vice President, CFO President and CEO Lisa S. Courtice, Ph.D. Executive Vice President Tamera Durrence Vice President Carol M. Harmon Vice President Angela G. Parsons, J.D. “Heart.” That was what Archie Griffin U.S. Army officer, author of Vice President The Other Wes Moore, social answered when I asked him, “There were Kelley Griesmer, J.D. entrepreneur, and political Director / Special Projects analyst. A few years ago, many running backs before, during, and since EDITORIAL STAFF after hearing Wes speak Amy Vick your years of playing that had your same at Chautauqua, we went Nick George backstage and Monica had Carol M. Harmon weight and height—what made your five feet Lynsey Harris the temerity to ask him if he and nine inches of height, and 189 pounds of would record a message to our weight so effective that you could become mentee. Wes agreed, and said: OUR MISSION the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner?” “Hey, (the boy’s name), aim for the stars, not the street lights!” To assist donors We have a growing concern and others in ARCHIE’S DEFINITION OF HEART in a football that our mentee’s aim recently isn’t even making sense was the willingness to commit to a hole in it as high as the street lights. We can see the dark strengthening the line, and to the waiting linebackers. There was forces in the neighborhood begin to reel this boy and improving our no ambivalence—just a full throttle engagement in. He seems to be fading from our reach, and it community for the with the opposing forces awaiting him, with trust in is heartbreaking to watch. The odds may not be his skills and in those of his teammates. 5,000 to 1 against a bright future for this child, but, benefit of all its In the world of the other “football”—soccer— they are daunting. residents. the English Premier League just crowned a new champion, Leicester City Football Club. You may According to a recent study by researchers at OUR PROMISE have heard the odds against them to become Harvard University, for children born in poverty, To help you help champions at the beginning of the season were climbing the income ladder occurs less often in the Southeast and industrial Midwest, the data 5,000 to 1. As was written in USA Today recently, others through shows, with the odds notably low in Atlanta, “This is not a dream come true because no one Charlotte, Memphis, Raleigh, Indianapolis, the most effective was crazy enough to dream it to begin with.” Cincinnati, and Columbus. My guess is that philanthropy My wife Monica and I mentor a young boy who is not the picture you have in mind about our possible. lives in West Franklinton. Five years ago, Monica prosperous, growing Columbus community. got to know him as a gifted performer in her program for fourth-grade Columbus City Schools’ We need all the collective “heart” we can students. The boy has never seen his father, who muster in order to face the biggest challenges Want to share NEXUS was imprisoned before his birth, his mother has in our community, and make the seemingly with a friend? Find our digital version online at not been home for years, and his grandparents impossible real. That is why we are launching columbusfoundation.org/spring2016nexus are deceased. He is being raised along with other a multi-year project to help build capacity half-siblings by his now 25-year-old cousin, who in our community to serve our “Opportunity works two jobs a day. Youth,” details of which we will announce at our For more information, visit columbusfoundation.org or call Wes Moore, who grew up in similar Celebration of Philanthropy on August 31. 614/251-4000. circumstances in Philadelphia, beat the odds We hope you will join us as we venture forward and built a successful career as a decorated in this important way. Photos by Nick George, unless noted. CONTACT US! Confirmed in compliance with national standards for U.S. community foundations. If you have questions, comments, or ideas about NEXUS, we would love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected] or call 614/251-4000. ©2016 The Columbus Foundation 2 / NEXUS SPRING 2016 04374.indd 2 5/16/16 1:46 PM DONOR FEATURE Inspiring Change Thanks to you, we FAMILY PHILANTHROPY FOCUSES ON exceeded our goal! MAKING A DIFFERENCE—TOGETHER LAUNCHING TECH CAREERS FOR OPPORTUNITY YOUTH PHILANTHROPY HAS ALWAYS BEEN a family Local Matters. Together, the family has gone on affair for David and Cathy Presper. Both grew service trips to Guatemala and provided support Thanks to their overwhelming generosity, up in families that believed strongly in the for Cooperative for Education, an organization Columbus Foundation donors are making the importance of helping others. It’s a value they that helps Guatemalan schoolchildren break the dream of a technology career a reality for more are now passing down to their four daughters. cycle of poverty through education. than 125 young adults in central Ohio. “Both our parents were very charitable in As their daughters grow, (twins Andrea and In February, The Columbus Foundation terms of giving—not just money, but time,” said Maria are seniors at Columbus School for Girls, launched a Critical Need Alert, The Pathways David. “Giving back was a product of our faith and twins Kim and Stephanie are sophomores), Project, as a unique way to propel at-risk youth and a religious upbringing founded in service— David and Cathy will begin to involve them more from idleness to the powerful pathways of give of time, give of talent, give of treasure. It’s in the fund. Currently, the girls regularly give of technology careers. It was the Foundation’s really something that has been goal to not only provide training or jobs—but handed down to us and we would initiate careers with opportunities for upward like to hand down to our children mobility and long-term self-sufficiency. Beyond as well.” these careers, this effort invests in our three Cathy noted that her mom partner nonprofits to amplify their capacity and was a great example of someone propel new innovations in the future. who gave of her time through In less than six weeks, a total of $634,850 volunteer work. Her parents was leveraged by 63 investors who partnered encouraged her and her siblings with the Foundation to help launch in- to appreciate things and not take demand careers for young adults—helping to for granted opportunities they strengthen and improve the lives of these men were given. and women, and our community as a whole. The Prespers, residents of The total raised included $200,000 in kickoff Bexley, established the Presper funds approved by The Columbus Foundation’s Family Fund, a Donor Advised Governing Committee, and $434,850 Fund, in 2009 to support their contributed by Foundation donors. Pictured (l–r): Maria, Andrea, David, Cathy, Stephanie, and Kim charitable efforts. The overall Presper outside their home in Bexley The Columbus Foundation’s Community goal of their grantmaking is to give people Research and Grants Management team an opportunity to improve their situation and identified three innovative nonprofit their lives. Over the past seven years, the fund their time and money in their own ways. organizations in the technology workforce has provided support for organizations mainly “They know we have established a Donor development sector to partner with on this focused in the areas of education, housing, and Advised Fund and that we want them to be effort—Digital Works, i.c. stars, and Per Scholas. food/nutrition. philanthropic in their lives. We’ve talked about “Without the support of Columbus “I personally believe that if you don’t have being smart about how they use money and Foundation donors, we would not be able those basics, it is hard for an individual to pull being appreciative of what they have and giving to propel these young people into amazing themselves out of poverty and be successful to others,” David said. “They have that mindset. careers while building a stronger community in their lives,” David said. “With just a little bit They naturally are giving and caring individuals.” for everyone. The opportunities made possible of help to get them over the hump, many kids Cathy, a twin herself, hopes in the future will multiply throughout Columbus. Families will would not have to go to school hungry, or worry her four daughters can work together, as she be stronger. It brings such joy to my heart,” said about a place to sleep at night. Once they get and her three siblings have done through a Plinio Ayala, President and CEO of Per Scholas.