As the number of people experiencing homelessness continues to rise locally, the Columbus Foundation and Community Shelter Board are announcing a historic investment.
The Community Shelter Board (CSB) was awarded a $2-million grant from the foundation, one of the largest philanthropic gifts in the shelter board’s history.
CSB is a nonprofit that coordinates funding for local agencies, serving people experiencing homelessness, such as shelters and warming centers.
The money, announced June 4, will support CSB’s partners who deliver housing, shelter and supportive services for those experiencing homelessness locally, according to a release from CSB.
“This generous contribution from The Columbus Foundation is more than a gift — it’s a powerful statement about what’s possible when we come together,” Shannon Isom, president and CEO of Community Shelter Board, said in a statement.
CSB was 99% funded by public support in 2023, according to its IRS Form 990, which includes public funding from the city, county, state and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
However, for 15 years, funding needs have consistently exceeded public support for homeless providers, whose combined annual cost of providing services is $31 million.
The $2 million is essential, as the area faces rising housing costs, a lack of affordable housing, increased economic pressures, and an uptick in demand for emergency assistance, according to CSB.
“The Community Shelter Board’s role to convene and provide financial support to the network of partners addressing our community’s housing and shelter needs is paramount,” Doug Kridler, president and CEO of The Columbus Foundation, said in a prepared release. “Its diligent response, in collaboration with direct service providers, is worth acknowledging and investing in to help strengthen our community for the benefit of all.”
The funding will help to stabilize the area’s crisis response system and ensure continued services for families and individuals facing housing instability, CSB said.
Community Shelter Board’s annual “point-in-time” count, which took place Jan. 23, found 2,556 people experiencing homelessness locally — up 7.4% from the 2024 count of 2,380 people. Since 2022, there’s been a more than 30% increase in unhoused people in Franklin County.
“Solving homelessness in our region demands an all-hands-on-deck approach — philanthropy, government, business, and community members united in a common purpose to solve homelessness,” Isom said. “This moment calls for bold investment, shared responsibility, and a regional response that transcends zip codes and sectors.”
CSB and other shelter providers have been asking Columbus and Franklin County officials for increased funding for months.
Columbus announced a $10.4-million grant for homeless shelters and programs in April. The amount is more than initially planned but less than the total it gave in 2024 ($14.9 million), which included COVID-era federal funding that has filled the gap in past years but ends this year.
In January, the mayor’s proposed budget called for about $5.4 million for shelters and services for the homeless, but homeless providers said shelters needed $13.6 million from the city to maintain current services. To improve the system, they said they would need $18.7 million.
In December, the Community Shelter Board and its partners asked the city of Columbus, Franklin County Commissioners and local private investors for $46.5 million for this year to respond to homelessness and meet growing demand.
The county commissioners have not announced additional 2025 funding for homeless providers.
“The Columbus Foundation’s leadership sets a powerful example of what it means to show up with urgency and conviction,” Isom said in a statement. “We hope others will follow their lead.”
Underserved Communities Reporter Danae King can be reached at dking@dispatch.com or on X at @DanaeKing.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Foundation invests $2 million in Community Shelter Board, homeless services
Reporting by Danae King, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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