City of Columbus

Council Provides $10 Million in Grant Funding to Human Service Organizations

Healthand Human Services Grants to Focus Economic Stability

[COLUMBUS, OH] Recognizing the instability that the pandemic has caused for residents and the programs that offer vital services to our community, City Council approved legislation that will extend grant funding for a year beyond the initial two-year grant cycle of 2019-2020.

On Monday, April 5, 2021, during its regular meeting, Columbus City Council passed ordinance 0388-2021, a series of grants, to provide up to $4,464,907 in human service funding to 44 Central Ohio programs, the total depending on the performance of revenue funding sources.

"Renewing grant funding for an additional year eases the strain on programs that have already had to make significant adjustments," said Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson. "We also want people to have the opportunity to utilize the food pantries, workforce programming and other services with which they are familiar. If we were to shift funding this year, people may be without resources or have to look for other programming."

Programs are now receiving a third year of funding in 2021 to help them continue operations as they are still facing challenges brought on by COVID-19. As a result of the pandemic, a number of material and direct services usually offered in-person were forced to transition their operations. Organizations with food pantries redesigned their food distribution processes preparing pre-made boxes and placing them into cars with minimal contact. Some organizations delivered resources, including personal protection equipment to clients, while others offered programs and services via virtual platforms.

"City Council's unwavering support of health and human services agencies, despite the enormity of disruption and difficulty caused by the pandemic, is deeply important--and meaningful," said Michael Corey, Executive Director of the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County. These dollars will allow programs to continue providing food, shelter, healthcare, and so much more to those most in need. Even though the pandemic may soon begin to wane, its many consequences will be with us for a long time. That's why these dollars are so critical in helping our agencies to continue providing help and hope in the hard but hopeful months ahead."

In addition to securing operational support, agencies need to ensure capital funding for their facilities. Through separate ordinances, funding included in the 2020 Capital Improvement Budget was ordained for:

• $1,400,000.00, Directions for Youth and Families supporting the construction of the new Crittenton Community Center.
• $1,000,000.00, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio supporting their Investing in Great Futures Comprehensive Campaign ("Project") - a $13.5 million effort to redevelop its oldest Club in Milo-Grogan. This includes $9 million in redevelopment and $4.5 million for operation and programs.
• $200,000.00, IMPACT Community Action to support the IMPACT 2020 campaign supporting improvements to its new headquarters at 711 Southwood Avenue on the City's Southside. 
• $3,000,000.00, with the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH) to advance the planning, design and construction of the Franklin County Mental Health and Addiction Crisis Center (Crisis Center).

The legislation passed during the April 5, 2021, Council meeting will provide over $10 million to fund operating and capital expenses for human service organizations.

Below are the organizations and programs receiving funding: