Upper Arlington Community Foundation

06/18/2026

Wishing our community a meaningful Juneteenth. We are proud to be part of a community that pauses to honor this important day and reflect on its significance in our nation's history. Thank you to the City of Upper Arlington for hosting the Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony this week.

Please note that the Upper Arlington Community Foundation offices will be closed tomorrow, Friday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth. We will reopen Monday, June 22nd.

06/16/2026

Every year, the Leadership UA cohort takes on one of our favorite traditions, stepping into the role of grantmakers and deciding how to distribute $10,000 in funding to local nonprofits.

This year, the 2026 cohort did not disappoint. We are proud to share this year's grant recipients and the impactful projects they will bring to life:

💛Bailey's Clubhouse | $4,078 for Bailey's Peaceful Play Project, a calming support zone within their no-cost childcare setting serving children ages 3 months to 6 years whose parents are undergoing cancer treatment.

💛Common Greens at the UA Farmers Market | $2,300 for Seasoned Stories, an 18-week intergenerational program pairing UA seniors with a student intern for weekly farmers market visits.

💛Rainbow UA | $1,350 for a Family Pool Night serving LGBTQIA+ students and families in our community.

💛Sustainable UA | $1,072 for a permanent sign for the Wickliffe Elementary School bioretention area supporting continued student learning and environmental stewardship.

💛Tri-Village Lions Club | $1,200 for a Free Little Pantry where community members can anonymously access food and essential items.

Congratulations to each of this year's recipients and to the Leadership UA Class of 2026 for making it happen!

Learn more about the programs, grants, and initiatives making Upper Arlington a stronger place for everyone: https://uacommunityfoundation.com/impact/funds-in-action/

06/09/2026

What an incredible year it has been! 🎉

The Leadership UA 2026 cohort wrapped up their program year with two outstanding sessions in May, including a session on Board Governance with Kerri Mollard of Mollard Consulting and a grant making session with Dan Sharpe. Vice President for Community Research and Grants Management at The Columbus Foundation. The cohort then put their learning into action by deliberating and distributing $10,000 in grant funding to local community organizations as their class project!

On June 4th, we were proud to celebrate this exceptional cohort at graduation at the Bob Crane Community Center. The evening featured remarks from UACF Board of Trustees Member Laurie Aquilina and Board of Education Member and Leadership UA alumnus Kip Greenhill, certificate presentations, and check presentations to this year's grant recipients.

Congratulations, Class of 2026, it's been an honor!💛

The Leadership UA Class of 2026:
Aparna Dial
Audrey Plant
Brad Pettit
Chloe Polinsky
David Pardoe
Devanie Gossett
Erin Fortkamp
James Russell
Jasa George
Jesse Lee
Justin Leonti
Kayla Toon
Matthew Hoffman
Rachel Blanchard
Hall Moore
Taylor Mullinax

05/28/2026

Graduation is almost here! 🎉

There is still time to grab your tickets to celebrate the Leadership UA Class of 2026 on Thursday, June 4th from 6:00–8:30 PM at the Bob Crane Community Center.

Tickets available at the link below, we hope to see you there!

You’re invited to the 2026 Leadership UA Graduation!

Join The Upper Arlington Community Foundation on Thursday, June 4 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Bob Crane Community Center, as we celebrate the Leadership UA Class of 2026 and recognize the incredible accomplishments of this year’s cohort.

We look forward to honoring a year of leadership and community impact alongside family, friends, and supporters.

To purchase tickets and learn more about Leadership UA please visit:
https://f.mtr.cool/pupyflsdnr

Upper Arlington Community Foundation

05/25/2026

Wishing our community a meaningful Memorial Day.

Today we pause to honor the men and women who gave everything in service to our country.

We are grateful for their sacrifice and for the families who carry that legacy forward.

05/21/2026

Relive evert moment of The Heart of UA 2026, photos are now live!

This year's event was a night to remember as we celebrated our 2026 Heart of UA honorees Lisa Ingram & Greg Guy, along with our inaugural Changemaker Award recipients Meg Hall of Beehive Alliance and Annie & Jim Stair of Red Oak Family Foundation.

A huge thank you to Ian Alexander Photography for beautifully capturing the evening.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make an impact that will last well beyond one night. Click the link below to learn more about the Heart of UA and view the full gallery.

The Heart of UA is the Foundation's signature fundraising event to celebrate community, philanthropy, and the Heart of UA's annual award recipients. Funds raised from the Heart of UA enable the Foundation to make an impact in the community as grant maker, connector, and a home for philanthropy in UA...

05/18/2026

The Leadership UA Class of 2026 is graduating and we would love for you to join us in celebrating! 🎓

Graduation is Thursday, June 4th from 6:00–8:30 PM at the Bob Crane Community Center. We are so proud of this incredible cohort and can't wait to mark this milestone with our community.

Tickets are available at the link below, we hope to see you there!🎉🎉🎉

https://uacommunityfoundation.com/programs/leadership-ua/

05/16/2026

Last weekend at Spring Fling, we joined the City of Upper Arlington, Ohio - Government, City of Upper Arlington Parks and Recreation Department, and the Upper Arlington Historical Society to unveil brand new historical signs at the Amelita Mirolo Barn ; and it was a moment worth marking!

The Amelita Mirolo Barn holds a special place in our Foundation's history as our very first capital campaign project, and today it's a space the whole community gets to enjoy year-round. A special thank you to our Executive Director Jessica Grisez and past Executive Director Sue Ralph for their remarks. Stop by Sunny 95 Park and check out the new signs!

05/11/2026

Save the Date! 🎓

Join The Upper Arlington Community Foundation on Thursday, June 4 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Bob Crane Community Center, as we celebrate the Leadership UA Class of 2026 and recognize the incredible accomplishments of this year’s cohort.

We look forward to honoring a year of leadership and community impact alongside family, friends, and supporters. More information about tickets and registration will be shared soon!

05/07/2026

Leadership UA had a strong month in April, with two sessions focused on leadership, community, and education!

On April 9, Dr. Nanette Lacuesta-Kimmel, UA Community Foundation Board Member and Assistant Program Director for Family Medicine Residency at OhioHealth, spoke with the class about inclusive leadership and the importance of creating spaces where every voice is heard.

On April 23, the cohort visited Upper Arlington High School for an evening focused on education, hearing from district leaders, learning more about the work of the Upper Arlington Education Foundation, and touring the high school.

Thank you to all of our April speakers for sharing your insight, experience, and time with this year’s Leadership UA class!