JOHN H. McCONNELL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Columbus Blue Jackets players, in partnership with the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation, have established the John H. McConnell Scholarship Fund in honor of the team’s founder. Click here for more information, to donate, or apply

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NEW! Cheryl&Co. - Blue Jackets Gift Collection
The Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation is excited to announce the launch of a partnership with Cheryl&Co., a hometown favorite famous for gourmet food and gifts. These two organizations are proud to team up in the development of a NEW Blue Jackets Gift Collection with the GOAL of giving back... CLICK HERE to view and to order!

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The Foundation utilizes the unique resources of its professional athletes, coaches, and facilities to give back to the local community. The Foundation's four focus areas of giving are:

                              PEDIATRIC CANCER (Hats For Heroes)
                              EDUCATION
                              CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND SAFETY
                              DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH AND AMATEUR HOCKEY

                              GRANT RECIPIENTS
                              GRANT APPLICATION
                              DONATION REQUESTS
                              ANNUAL REPORT
                              NEWSLETTER
                              VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

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Make an On-Line Donation
Donate to the Blue Jackets Foundation and fight against pediatric cancer by CLICKING HERE..

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Columbus Foundation's PowerPhilanthropy Portrait
The Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation is proud to be highlighted as part of the Columbus Foundation’s PowerPhilanthrophy program.  This on-line resource for philanthropic opportunities in our community was designed to make giving more effective. PowerPhilanthropy allows you to give directly and securely. To view the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation portrait or to donate CLICK HERE...

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Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation Family Resource Center
In March 2007, The Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation  officially opened the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation Family Resource Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital to provide a place of respite and comfort for the patients and their families... MORE

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Purchase Hats For Heroes Merchandise
Purchase your Hats For Heroes gear by CLICKING HERE...

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Fundraising Events and Programs
The Foundation is dedicated to using its unique resources to raise money for its four areas of giving through fundraisers throughout the year. 

Golf Classic presented by First Communications
Each season, the Foundation hosts the Golf Classic, its largest fundraiser, at Double Eagle Club. Golfers are able to enjoy a day at the Club with Pascal Leclaire, Rick Nash, Fredrik Modin and all of their favorite Blue Jackets players ... MORE



Hockey Fest Carnival and Auction presented by UNIVAR
SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, February 8, 2009
Each season fans of all ages are invited to the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation's interactive carnival extravaganza on the ice level of Nationwide Arena hosted by the Blue Jackets players and wives... MORE



Black Tie. Blue Jackets. Style Show presented by Kelly BMW
SAVE THE DATE! Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - The Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation annually presents the fashion event of the season to benefit the fight against pediatric cancer.  NEW THIS SEASON - guests will be able to enjoy a pre-show wine tasting, style show featuring the Columbus Blue Jackets players, their wives, and local pediatric cancer heroes, and dinner at the Hilton-Polaris... MORE

Other Programs/Events:

Hats For Heroes
            -Hats For Heroes Night
            -Paper Hat Challenge
Hockey Holidays
            -Festival of Trees
            -Puck Surprise
            -Bug Love
            -St. Patrick's Day Jersey Auction
Game Nights
            -Stinger Birthday Drops
            -Game Night Raffle/Jerseys off our Backs
            -GameTime Auction
Foundation Partnerships
            -Tickets For Charity
            -Player Programs
            -Ticketing Fundraisers

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The Columbus Blue Jackets established the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation in Mar. 2000. This grant-making, 501(c) 3, public charity was formed to utilize the unique resources of its professional athletes, coaches and staff to help improve the quality of life throughout the community.

The Foundation donates time, resources and financial support to organizations committed to meeting the educational, cultural, health and wellness needs of people throughout Central Ohio. A primary focus of the Foundation is the "Stick with Kids" initiative from which a percentage of the annual proceeds are designated to the development of youth and amateur hockey.

Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation Board of Directors:

• John P. McConnell
• Cathy Mayne Lyttle
• TJ LaMendola, Treasurer
• Tyler Wright
• Antoinette Mongillo

The proceeds raised annually by the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation are designated as follows:
- 75%: Grant recipients throughout the community
- 25%: Youth and amateur hockey development

• Pediatric Cancer
• Children's Health and Safety
• Education
• The Development of Youth and Amateur Hockey

CLICK HERE to view the Blue Jackets Foundation Annual Report

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The 2007-2008 Foundation Grant Recipients

The Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation awarded grants to the following local 501(c) 3 organizations:

PEDIATRIC CANCER

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation ($100,000/third installment of $1.5 million gift over 15 years) – Grant continues to support the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation Family Resource Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.  The gift also funds the hospital’s oncology services which benefit the Sibling Support program and the Stinger Bravery Beads program.  Additionally, the grant supports the purchase of Blue Jackets-branded youth helmets to reinforce the importance of safe play.

Flying Horse Farms ($25,000) – Grant supports the construction of the Activity Court at Flying Horse Farms, a facility committed to creating a fun, safe, and supportive camp experiences for children with serious illnesses.  The 5,000 square foot Blue Jackets-branded Activity Court will serve as the center of the outdoor program area for sports and entertainment.

Hope Street Kids ($17,500) - Grant supports the mission to eliminate childhood cancer through pioneering research, advocacy and education.

Adventures For Wish Kids ($12,000) – Grant will provide a Blue Jackets game adventure for approximately 275 family members of young patients who are being treated for life-threatening illnesses.   The VIP experience includes game tickets, food and beverage courtesy of Sportservice and a private post-game visit with several Blue Jackets players.

KidShare – OhioHealth Cancer Services ($10,000) – Grant enables the Foundation to support adult cancer patients and their families as part of the NHL Hockey Fights Cancer initiative.  Part of the gift funds the six-week group program that was developed by Riverside Cancer Services to help children and their parents learn about and cope with feelings related to a cancer diagnosis in the family.

Flashes of Hope ($8,000) – In partnership with FOX Sports Ohio, the Blue Jackets Foundation's Grant supports this non-profit organization’s mission to create uplifting photographs of children fighting cancer and life-threatening.  The gift provides for monthly photo shoots for young patients at Nationwide Children's Hospital and each family receives a free portfolio of images and a Blue Jackets and FOX Sports Ohio co-branded fleece blanket.

EDUCATION

Columbus Dispatch – Newspapers in Education ($13,000) – Grant helps cover cost of providing classroom copies of The Columbus Dispatch for teacher and student use in schools in 17 central Ohio counties.  This association also allows for development of Blue Jackets-themed curriculum in the NIE section of the paper.

Boys Scouts of America ($10,000) – Grant supports team involvement in the Boy Scouts “Skate Into Scouting” recruitment campaign.  The program includes recognition of the new Boy Scouts at a Blue Jackets home game.

CHILDREN'S HEALTH & SAFETY

Easter Seals ($68,000/first installment of $111,000 gift over two years) – Grant supports the local chapter’s soon-to-open Life Skills Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to replicate a home environment in which patients will engage in physical therapy simulating real-world applications.  The grant provides name entitlement and Blue Jackets branding at the new center.

Deaf Initiatives ($5,000) – Grant assists in sending hearing impaired youth and their families to attend various conferences

Mid-Ohio FoodBank ($25,000) – An emergency grant was awarded in response to the FoodBank’s critical need to fill local food pantries this past winter.

YOUTH & AMATEUR HOCKEY

Chiller Equipment Bank ($10,000) – Grant allows Chiller Ice Rinks to purchase 100 sets of equipment that may be borrowed by players who cannot afford to buy new gear or for those interested in playing but find the cost to be prohibitive.  

Ohio AAA Blue Jackets ($10,000) – Grant funds hockey scholarships based on financial need for players in this elite program.

Columbus Ice Hockey Club ($10,000) – Grant provides opportunity for underserved youth to learn to skate and play hockey through the Columbus Recreation and Parks department.

High School Hockey Scholarships ($8,000) – Two scholarships were awarded to graduating high school senior hockey players who best exemplify academic excellence and participate in extracurricular activities and community service work. This year, Scott Wilkie (Dublin Jerome High School)  and Ken Greim (Worthington Kilbourne High School) each received a $4,000 scholarship.

Columbus Chill Youth Hockey Association (CCYHA) Special Hockey ($5,000) - Grant will assist this team of special needs ice hockey players with costs associated with ice time, equipment and tournament fees.

Columbus Chill Youth Hockey Association ($5,000) – Grant subsidizes development opportunities to over 400 house-league players, provides financial support for hardship cases and promotes the girls hockey program

Easton Youth Hockey Association ($5,000) – Grant will be used to offer either full hockey scholarship for 12-15 players or partial scholarships for several.

Newark Ice Hockey Association ($5,000) – Grant will support the existing Under 18 Girls Development program 

Columbus Blue Jackets - Quebec PeeWee Team ($5,000) – Grant covers expense of transportation for the team's travel to Quebec for the prestigious annual tournament.

FlexxCoach ($5,000) – Grant covers cost of providing state-of-the-art coaching software to approximately 100 Central Ohio high school and youth hockey coaches

Youngstown Youth Hockey ($3,000) – Grant assists with development of Phantom Girls Hockey Team.

Athens Youth Hockey Association ($3,000) – Grant funds scholarships and the cost of new border patrol rink system.

Parma Hockey Association ($1,000) – Grant covers cost of Blue Jackets-branded jerseys for the mini mite teams. 

The Ohio State University Club Hockey Team ($1,000) – Grant funds transportation to tournaments.

 

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Application for Funding

Since its inception in March 2000, the Foundation has granted over $1.9 million in grants, sponsorships and autographed merchandise in support of local non-profits. In 2002, the Foundation established an endowment fund to ensure the future of the Foundation. The board meets yearly to review the applications for funding and distributes all grants the end of the Blue Jackets season in the beginning of April.

Download a grant application (PDF)

Grant Applications Due: March 1 (in office)
Address to: Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation
200 W. Nationwide Blvd
Columbus, OH 43215
business hours: 9am-5pm (Monday-Friday)