Announcement: The RIC is chosen as one of the Columbus Foundation’s 5 Nonprofits to Watch in 2023
Since 2014, The Columbus Foundation's 5 Nonprofits to Watch platform has honored remarkable nonprofit organizations that are working to strengthen and improve our community. In alignment with The Columbus Foundation's grantmaking evolution announced last year, the newest cohort of exemplary nonprofits represents growing, small- to medium-sized organizations serving the central Ohio region.
This year's 5 Nonprofits to Watch are: Black Girl Rising, Inc., Elevate Northland, Form5 Prosthetics, Remember Us Urban Scouts, and Riverview International Center.
Tania and Fabiha talk about their work over the years with the RIC and how they now help others
"The 5 Nonprofits to Watch program was created to celebrate organizations that are doing extraordinary work to empower our neighbors and community to flourish—and this year's cohort is no exception," said Dan Sharpe, Vice President for Community Research and Grants Management at The Columbus Foundation. "Although their missions vary, each of these nonprofits is deeply committed to building a community where everyone feels a sense of purpose and belonging."
With this distinction, each nonprofit will receive a $20,000 unrestricted grant. In addition, The Columbus Foundation is offering each organization a consulting engagement with UpRys, a local strategy consulting and project-based delivery firm, to help address growth, capacity building, and sustainability. Capacity building projects will be developed by the organizations themselves and reflect the organizations' greatest priorities.
"The Columbus Foundation is thrilled to recognize these incredible nonprofits and to invest in their continued growth and success," said Danielle Tong, Director of Capacity Building and Community Knowledge at The Columbus Foundation. "Through our partnership with UpRys, we look forward to working with each of these organizations to help them build capacity so that they can grow their impact sustainably and effectively."
The 5 Nonprofits to Watch in 2023
Riverview International Center
Riverview International Center (RIC) empowers New Americans by supporting individuals, strengthening families, and nurturing community. The RIC provides numerous essential services and programs. This includes career counseling, assistance navigating benefits, and classes for learning English, computer literacy, and sewing. For children, the RIC offers homework help and a Summer Reading Program. Community-building events, women's empowerment groups, and field trips celebrate the many cultures and groups represented in Riverview.
Black Girl Rising, Inc.
Black Girl Rising, Inc. offers Black girls in central Ohio an opportunity to use their voice and lived experiences to identify issues and concerns that impact their mental and emotional health and create best practices for addressing those issues. The organization empowers girls to live lives of authenticity, equality, and resiliency. The work of their Black Girl Think Tank provides girls with leadership skills to dialogue across barriers, think critically, and build community with girls regardless of social, economic, or educational backgrounds. Through collaboration with community partners, Black Girl Rising, Inc. is placing Black girls at promise.
Elevate Northland
Elevate Northland is a Community Development Corporation that strives to lift up its diverse community and create opportunities for those who call Northland home, including entrepreneurs, New Americans, seniors, and families. The organization provides services that incubate Northland businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations to establish the community's foothold as a hub of culture and connection. With an emphasis on building community, Elevate Northland helps its residents and small businesses achieve success.
Form5 Prosthetics
Form5 Prosthetics empowers people with limb differences to interact successfully with their world and future through 3-D printing and providing affordable custom-application devices. Believing that the organization's mission is accomplished best by including the perspective and ideas of the limb difference community, Form5 offers educational programming, which brings participants, students, and industry professionals together to innovate new devices for individuals with limb differences.
Remember Us Urban Scouts
Through mentorship, in-school, afterschool, and summer programs, Remember Us Urban Scouts creates a safe space for youth to naturally develop. Its mission is to equip youth with the skills and social capital needed to be successful in school, work, and their personal lives. The organization also provides monthly community engagement via parent night, youth night, and community bike rides. Remember Us Urban Scouts seeks to empower youth to create generational wealth, break cycles of poverty for their families and communities, and bring about positive change in their communities.
"Although their missions vary, each of these nonprofits is deeply committed to building a community where everyone feels a sense of purpose and belonging."
DAN SHARPE, VICE PRESIDENT FOR COMMUNITY RESEARCH AND GRANTS MANAGEMENT AT THE COLUMBUS FOUNDATION
Each year, the 5 Nonprofits to Watch are announced to mark the takeoff of Jerrie Mock's historic around-the-world flight in her single-engine Cessna named Spirit of Columbus. Mock's journey started at Port Columbus International Airport on March 19, 1964, and culminated on April 17, when she became the first woman to fly solo around the world. These five nonprofits promote the bravery, boldness, and determination that Jerrie illustrated and we are proud to honor her spirit along with the work they do in, and for, our community.
About The Columbus Foundation
The Columbus Foundation, one of the top 10 community foundations in the United States, serves thousands of 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.
"The Columbus Foundation is thrilled to recognize these incredible nonprofits and to invest in their continued growth and success."
- Danielle Tong, Director of Capacity Building and Community Knowledge at The Columbus Foundation.
Neighbor children and volunteers from the summer reading program.