Ohio-based Grange Insurance gifts $1 million to Columbus State Community College to fund three programs

Columbus State Community College has received a $1 million donation through the Foundation at Grange Insurance to underscore the school’s goals of strengthening the community of central Ohio through equitable support and access for students to earn their education and achieve their career goals. The donation from Grange Insurance supports Taste the Future, Student Emergency Needs, and the Columbus Promise.

In a press release through Business Wire, Grange Insurance’s President and CEO John Ammendola was quoted about the gift saying, “at Grange Insurance, we believe education lays the foundation for a strong community. Central Ohio is stronger when we come together to support the resources that address disparities in education and careers for students. Creating a path for these talented future leaders will boost Central Ohio’s diverse talent population, helping us build a more inclusive environment for all.”

He went on to state, “I would also like to recognize and applaud the local impact and the strong reputation that Columbus State has built. They continue to offer high-quality education and grow their capacity, so more students receive the necessary resources to succeed.”

The $1 million gift will be split between three Columbus State Community College programs.

Taste the Future is a program that showcases top culinary talent at an annual fundraising event which uses the money gained to fund special programs supporting student success and scholarships at Columbus State. 

Student Emergency Needs is a program that provides emergency financial aid to Columbus State students who might otherwise need to drop out of school for financial reasons, especially in unexpected and unplanned financial emergencies and non-academic obstacles like lack of childcare, homelessness, unreliable transportation, and food insecurity.

Columbus Promise is a program that allows for graduates of Columbus City Schools to have free tuition to Columbus State Community College through a partnership within the community including the City of Columbus government. The Columbus Promise Scholars receive financial support and dedicated counseling and advice so that they can grow their skills as well as habits and behaviors that help set them up for success in the classroom and their future careers. 

Columbus State Community College’s President David T. Harrison was also quoted in the news release on the gift from Grange, saying, “We’re grateful for Grange’s generous support, which is an investment in a better future for our students and for the entire central Ohio community. Our focus on student success goes that much further by working hand-in-hand with such a strong industry partner.”

Grange Insurance executives have also offered voluntary leadership and expert workforce counsel to Columbus State Community College. Back in November of 2021, Ammendola was appointed to the school’s Board of Trustees by the Governor of Ohio. Grange’s SVP, Chief Human Resources Officer Damon Porter also joined the college’s Workforce Advisory Council that year as well. Grange has also been known to be a financial supporter of past Taste the Future events.

Grange Insurance Company has $3.1 billion in assets with over $1.4 billion in annual revenue. It serves as an insurance provider out of Columbus, Ohio. It has a network of independent agents through which it offers home, business, and automotive insurance protection. Grange Life Insurance and Kansas City Life Insurance also offer life insurance through Grange’s umbrella. Grange was founded in 1935 and since has grown with its affiliate Integrity Insurance Company to serve people in many states around the country like Wisconsin, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Michigan, Kentucky, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Georgia, and Ohio. More information about Grange Insurance can be found at its website.

Columbus State Community College is the biggest community college in Ohio, and the second-largest higher education institution in the state overall. Nearly 45,000 students annually attend Columbus State’s two campuses, which are located in Delaware, Ohio, and downtown Columbus. The school also has regional learning centers in Dublin, Grove City, the Southwest Center at Bolton Field, and Westerville at Otterbein University. The school also offers online learning. More information about Columbus State Community College can be found on the school’s website.