A total of $12,500 was awarded in 2025. The recipients were:
Rickenbacker Woods Foundation:
This grant will support an initiative that not only serves a food desert, but will give access to fresh produce to area residents through a voucher system. Participating local corner stores working with the Livingston Avenue Merchants Association will stock high quality produce that individuals can purchase with a voucher. Additionally, nutritional workshops will be held to assist families with healthy meal planning and cooking classes.
West High Cowboys Athletic Boosters:
Studies have shown that students who participate in sports improves student engagement and overall performance. The mission of the booster club is to restore the tennis courts at West High school to not only provide access for the students to play, but open the area up to the greater community. The Athletic Boosters will use the grant funds to restore the surface, buy nets, and purchase fencing. The goal is to restore Cowboy pride in the West Side and give the students and community a place to gather and play.
Ohio Justice Bus:
The Ohio Justice Bus is a mobile legal aid office and tech hotspot that is a conduit for attorneys to provide free civil legal services to an underserved population. Criminal records can be a barrier to employment; making it difficult for those with a record to achieve financial stability. They will hold 10 clinics in Franklin County over the course of the grant year focusing on sealing and expunging non-violent records. Not only does this assist in individuals being able to find employment, but also eliminates a barrier in finding housing.
Short North Alliance:
The Short North Alliance has partnered with Southeast Healthcare to offer direct street outreach services. The RREACT (Rapid Response Emergency Addiction and Crisis Team) program was present in the Short North Arts District two days per week to provide individuals in crisis with connections to emergency shelter, housing, clothing, food, physical and mental healthcare, and substance abuse programs. Since the start of the program in 2022 the team has made over 4500 engagements in the Short North, building relationships and making connections. The group was able to expand to five days per week in 2023; and with the grant money from ComFest, the group will continue to expand the number of days they are helping individuals in the area.
National Tax Service:
The Financial Empowerment Through Tax Services Initiative 2026 is a six-month project running from the spring to the fall. They will provide free tax preparation to low-income individuals. While there are many free tax filing services on-line, this group aims to help individuals that do not have access to the internet, are unable to find forms (eg. they have moved and cannot locate their W-2), and/or have limited language skills making it difficult to understand on-line services. This project targets underserved populations including individuals with disabilities and those on fixed incomes.
Heer to Serve: Homeless Shower Project
This project aims to help unsheltered individuals living in or near a camp by Heer Park. Heer to Serve’s goal is provide hygiene and basic sanitation by providing access to weekly showers. This increases positive engagements with other community members and gives individuals the opportunity to apply for jobs, go to resource events, and engage with caseworkers and others with a sense of dignity – all because they have had on opportunity to shower. By providing a basic need, Heer to Serve hopes to help remind recipients that there are people who care and are willing to help.
Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS): English for Speakers of Other Languages
Being able to communicate is a basic need. C.R.I.S.’ program is designed to help refugees learn to communicate with the larger community. By helping adults learn the dominant language of their new community, C.R.I.S. hopes to help them make connections and learn of support that is available to them. Parents that are learning English are able to help their children learn the language and better assist them with school work. Social connections are made and there are opportunities for networking to help newly arrived people feel a part of a new community.
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2024 Grant Recipients
2023 Grant Recipients
2022 Grant Recipients
2021 Grant Recipients
Previous Grant Recipients
