The Foundation's mission is to be a catalyst for, a convener of and an investor in initiatives to build a great community for all. The Foundation was formed by a group of forward-thinking community leaders who wanted to create a public, not-for-profit organization that would advance the aspirations of the community in perpetuity. To further its mission over the years, the Foundation has forged unique partnerships and collaborations with other organizations.

The Foundation frequently plays the role of “convener” and catalyst in the community by bringing together various organizations to achieve common goals and leverage dollars. The Foundation collaborated with the Columbus Metropolitan Library to endow over $1 million for book collections and technology enhancements for the New Albany Branch Library. The success of the Foundation’s Library Fund cleared the way for construction of a new public library. As part of the Foundation’s Library Fund Campaign, the community welcomed two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough as a featured guest lecturer.

In addition, The Foundation presents the New Albany Classic Signature Series through a gift from the Wexner family and the New Albany Company. The Foundation also is partnering with The New Albany Women’s Network, The Village of New Albany, The New Albany Company and The New Albany-Plain Local Joint Parks District to develop a new community park. The park will feature a playground complex, a pavilion and a commons area for community gatherings. Other collaborations with the Women’s Network will create the New Albany Safety Town program and “Lives of Discovery,” a lecture series designed to empower and inspire middle school age girls. The Foundation recently completed funding for a planning study for the Rose Run Streamside Park. This passive park in the heart of the Village will serve as a focal point for residents to walk and enjoy nature.

The Foundation is teaming with New Albany Schools, the Village of New Albany, Plain Township and the New Albany Company to build and endow a Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts that will host acclaimed guest lecturers and artists in residence.  The “Chautauqua-like” vision is for the community to have access to enriching educational and cultural programming on an ongoing basis.  The vision for the school district is that arts education should be a basic component of a comprehensive public school education and made available to all students without cost.  Foundation endowments will enable these visions to become reality.  Collaborations with many Central Ohio organizations are being established, such as the Columbus Symphony, Ballet Met, Columbus Museum of Art, COSI, Thurber House, Phoenix Theatre, Thurber House, Columbus College of Art and Design, The Ohio State University, ProMusica, CATCO and more.