May/June Change for Charity Partner: Columbus Urban League

Empowering communities. Changing lives. The Columbus Urban League is the Change for Charity beneficiary for May and June.

Founded in 1918, the Columbus Urban League (CUL) – an affiliate of the National Urban League – works to empower African Americans and disenfranchised groups through economic, educational, and social progress. Its core values – equity and justice; high performance; innovation; integrity; and empowerment – shine through in each of its 19 initiatives.

CUL’s initiatives fall into several categories, all aimed at promoting equal and equitable access to resources. These consumer-based programs provide early childhood, primary, secondary, and adult education services, workforce development and career services, housing support services, and community outreach to special populations in Central Ohio.

Invaluable to the community, CUL’s work became even more important during the pandemic, serving over 25,000 clients and making nearly 150,000 touches in the community. The organization distributed over $6.5 million to initiatives supporting health equity, housing stabilization, and minority small businesses.

While advancing progress for Columbus’ Black community, the CUL still works tirelessly to fight systemic racism in the community, not just with police reform, but working to create more diverse workplaces and offer more opportunities for Black businesses and organizations.

“The Urban League is here to do that work; that’s what we are built for,” Stephanie Hightower, president and CEO of CUL said. “We’re going to maintain the urgency of those individuals and corporations and entities that have committed to creating an equitable Columbus and that believe in prosperity for all.”

The Easton Community Foundation is proud to support the important work of the CUL. When you park at one of our Change for Charity parking meters or pay an Easton parking ticket, you are directly supporting our Change for Charity partners. And of course, you can always donate directly to the CUL.

Your support helps ensure that all families survive and recover from COVID-19, helping CUL keep families in their homes, making sure small businesses can still open their doors, and helping those returning to the community jumpstart new lives. 

Short Term Parking. Long Term Impact.

Our Change for Charity Program designates a new organization every two months to receive a portion of the meter proceeds and ticket revenue generated at Easton, allowing us to donate $2.1 million to over 85 organizations. Check out our list of past recipients here.