The Altrusa International of Columbus, Ohio, Foundation was established in 2006 as a subsidiary of the International Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is to improve the economic well-being and quality of life in our local and global communities through a commitment to community service, literacy and education.
The Foundation currently finances these projects and grants through two funds: the Dorothy Scrivener Memorial Fund, which was funded by a bequest, and the Altrusa Service Funds, which are funded annually by fundraising events conducted by the local club on behalf of the Foundation. A Memorial/Honoree Fund has been established for future donations and bequests.
The Dorothy Scrivner Memorial Fund is used for scholarships or community needs related to education. The Altrusa Service Fund is used for projects recommended by the local club.
Foundation Officers 2023-24
President: Judy Montjoy
Vice President: Bridget McDaniel
Secretary: Bonnie Ackerman
Treasurer: Marytherese Croarkin
Director: Pam Jax
2023-2024 Altrusa of Columbus, Ohio Grant Awardees
Columbus Literacy Council
The Council programs strengthen basic literacy skills for individuals reading at the lowest levels of literacy giving them the opportunity to support themselves and their families. Altrusa funds will support the English to Excel (E2E Program). It is an ongoing program offered to individuals in Central Ohio who are learning English as a second language. The Altrusa grant will fund student textbooks in the Downtown series for the ESOL classes for approximately 120 students and consist of a Basic level and Levels 1-4 correlated to the State of Ohio Adult English for Speakers of Other Languages instructional standards. This will be the 5th year of Altrusa funding for the Council.
Medicine for Mali
Medicine for Mali is a humanitarian aid organization which supplies over 8,000 people with clean water, medical clinics, and education programs for villagers in the 6th poorest nation on earth. The goal of the education program is to increase the number of students returning to school. With Altrusa funds, MFM will conduct two teacher training courses, train the Village Management Committees, and provide funds for the District supervisor to make monthly school visits to observe teachers in the classroom and make recommendations. The teacher training program will produce better readers and writers, better thinkers, and better students. This will be the 5th year of Altrusa funding for MFM.
Columbus Metropolitan Library Homework Help Centers
The Homework Help Centers (HHC) are designated spaces for K-12 students to get homework help, use a computer and find free school supplies. Staff and trained volunteers offer academic support with the goal to increase the number of students graduating from area schools. Altrusa’s funds will help equip another new HHC in one of the libraries being revitalized. Funds will be used for a Glass Marker board and two laptop computers. The Centers provide resources that help students successfully complete their homework, and also foster deep mentoring relationships, and encourage a love of reading and learning. This will be the 15th year of Altrusa funding for the HHCs.
Critical Difference For Women Scholarships
Critical Difference for Women (CDW) is a scholarship/grant-offering program for women seeking advanced education and enhanced professional lives at Ohio State University. Scholarships provide financial aid to women who have interrupted their education due to unforeseen obstacles and who are seeking undergraduate, graduate, or professional degrees. The Altrusa funding will provide three $1,000 scholarships to students who meet the criteria and eligibility of the Critical Difference for Women Scholarship Program. Without this aid, the women may not be able to continue their education. This will be the 14th year of Altrusa funding for CDW.
Aging Solutions
Aging Solutions is a non-profit foundation supporting the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging’s (COAAA) goal of enabling people to live in the community as long as they want to, in spite of physical and cognitive challenges. While COAAA administers many public programs to facilitate independent living, many of its 7,000 clients have needs not addressed by these public programs. Aging Solutions dollars are used to fill an emergency need or to provide a little extra help for low-income older people and people with disabilities. Altrusa funds will be used to help provide 50 individuals with items or services to maintain them in their home or meet basic daily needs or emergency needs, such as a vacuum for someone with COPD, personal care items, or scooter tire repair. This will be the 2nd year of Altrusa funding for Aging Solutions.
Easter Seals of Central and Southeast Ohio
Easter Seals provides adult day, educational, therapeutic, recreational and early intervention programs and services for people with disabilities or special needs in a 29-county territory. Altrusa will provide funding for the Early Intervention Program which serves 90 children, ages 12 months to 3 years, in Franklin County who have an identified developmental delay or disability. Early Intervention provides comprehensive services to assist the children with their development. At the early age of birth to 3, literacy relates to all areas of development. Funds would be used to assist in providing educational books for the classrooms and for in home visits the teachers make. The books would be left in the home so parents can help their child grow.
Boys and Girls Club
The Boys and Girls Club is working with Livingston Elementary and starting a new center there for kids who are behind academically. The grant will pay for books, supplies and Chromebooks for students.
Contributing to the Foundation
The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) corporation. As such, gifts and purchases made for community projects may be tax-exempt. Consult your tax advisor. To make a contribution, click here.