14-07-2025
Amazon Central Ohio Community Fund gives $100K to 19 central Ohio community projects
At the end of June, Amazon announced a $100,000 investment in area community projects through its Central Ohio Community Fund.
Nineteen projects across 16 organizations in the areas of STEM, education, sustainability and digital skills were awarded microgrants through the fund, which works to both address immediate community needs and invest in long-term impacts in central Ohio.
Applications are now open through Aug. 1 for the next round of grants through another $100,000 Amazon Central Ohio Community Fund.
The next round of grants is for projects in Franklin and Licking counties. Potential areas of impact, along with those highlighted in the previous round, could be addressing homelessness, food insecurity or energy.
Nonprofit applicants are eligible for grants up to $10,000, while individuals and community groups can apply for grants up to $5,000. Applicants should hear whether or not their project proposal was successful by Sept. 12, according to the application portal managed by ChangeX.
received funding for an after-school project providing academic and emotional support to immigrant children.
secured an award for a gaming platform that encourages social interaction for children, especially those with disabilities.
is launching a maker space summer camp, the Pacer Space, for elementary and middle schoolers.
is an initiative for people to learn about the history of downtown Hilliard.
is adding The Fairgrounds Storybook Trail Learning Adventure project to the Franklin County Fair.
received funding for outdoor classrooms with native plants and seating.
is working to provide clothing and home goods to more than 1,000 households.
ICE Mentors Inc., which has rebranded to EPIC Youth, is launching a project to teach underserved youth how to code, and expose them to STEM careers.
is funding 12 workshops focused on digital skills, privacy and internet use.
is launching a community fridge project for Columbus.
is establishing a business and skill development center for adults who are reentering the workforce.
Mid-Ohio Psychological Services secured a grant for a Little Free Pantry project to address food insecurity.
Midtown East Community Enrichment Center received grant funding for both a food pantry that serves over 100 families each month and a FIRST LEGO League project to engage youth in critical thinking.
received funding for a youth empowerment program providing interactive STEAM activities for 1,000 Black youths.
Simone Drake is distributing 1,000 books to diverse communities across central Ohio.
is inspiring young kids to get involved in STEM from an early age.
Sophia Veneziano is a Columbus Dispatch reporter supported by the Center for HumanKindness at The Columbus Foundation. She may be reached at sveneziano@ The Dispatch retains full editorial independence for all content.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Amazon gifts $100K to 19 Columbus-area community projects
