Columbia Community Service Celebrates the Grantees of the 78th Annual Appeal

On June 12, Columbia Community Service continued its annual tradition of celebrating the vital work of its grant recipients, welcoming leaders from more than 30 local nonprofits to the Lee C. Bollinger Forum on Columbia’s Manhattanville campus.

The gathering offered the chance to connect and reflect on the impact of these essential programs, which strengthen the local community.

In its 78th year, donations from 477 Columbia, Barnard, and Teachers College faculty, staff, and retirees supported grant awards totaling $240,000 to 47 nonprofit organizations serving Harlem and Morningside Heights. Rooted in the local community, these organizations combat hunger, provide social services, support the arts and culture, and fill educational gaps for youth in STEM, arts, and literacy. 

CCS is especially grateful to the Leo Rosner Foundation, a major donor, for its generous $15,000 gift, bringing its total support over the past five years to $60,000. 

During the reception, the leadership of Courtney’s Stars of Tomorrow, Harlem Lacrosse, Behind the Book, and Service Program for Older People shared how the CCS grant awards have impacted their respective program participants and clients. 

Attendees were treated to a performance of “I Ain’t Got Weary Yet” by the Courtney’s Stars of Tomorrow Chorale. 

They also heard from Basil Smikle Jr., Professor of Practice and Director of the M.S. in Nonprofit Management program at the Columbia University School of Professional Studies, who encouraged the nonprofits to:

• Resist fear; it is the new currency.
• Build collaborations and a community to help each other.
• Find the joy in the work that they do, and continue the good work.

Congratulations to all our grantees! We are proud to invest in your programs and services that address critical needs throughout Harlem and Morningside Heights. 

If you're interested in learning more about all of the organizations that will benefit from donations to the 78th Annual Appeal, visit our grantee directory.

You can also donate to Columbia Community Service at any time throughout the year — your support makes this work possible.