Carla Clark | For The Republic Richard McCoy, Rick Johnson and Betsy Baker Laskey visit during Landmark Columbus High Five Day annual meeting at the Upland Columbus Pump House in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
A celebratory High Five Day arrived with what leaders acknowledged is a high financial goal for the nonprofit Landmark Columbus Foundation: $1 million in its endowment fund by the end of the year.
At least that was the case until board chair Mark Elwood stepped up to speak at Wednesday afternoon’s annual meeting at the Upland Columbus Pumphouse patio. He asked more than 80 people attending to envision something even more ambitious.
Such as reaching that goal by the beginning of the foundation’s Exhibit Columbus architectural exhibition opening Aug. 25.
“I think that people appreciated the challenge,” Elwood said after the event.
Elwood urged supporters toward that vision after he and brothers and community leaders Mike and John Elwood and their spouses recently donated a total of $75,ooo to push the endowment to $910,000.
The $1 million goal was established when the endowment was created. Mark Elwood also would like to see 100 new donors to the fund by that August date ideally, or at least by year’s end. A total of 102 donors have given so far, according to the organization’s leaders.
The foundation caring for the city’s cultural heritage has been perhaps best known for being the umbrella agency for the Exhibit Columbus architectural exhibition that has given the city’s Modernist legacy renewed global attention and sparkle since its inception in 2017.
Its annual budget now stands at $838,813.
The gathering is known as High Five Day because Exhibit Columbus was announced on 5/5 in 2016, and leaders like the celebratory symbolism.
“We’re very passionate about making Columbus an even better place — and making it so attractive that more businesses will want to invest their work here and, in turn, attract the best talent that would want to move here and work here,” Elwood said.
“We obviously think that Columbus is already great. But I don’t think you can ever stop building.”
Landmark Columbus Executive Director Richard McCoy mentioned that what he finds especially impressive about the foundation’s growing reach is that it now nearly as busy with newer programs such as its Progressive Preservation series as it is with its Exhibit Columbus exhibitions and symposiums. Plus, McCoy added that even smaller efforts like the growing Social Design Trips regularly are attracting 40 or more people as locals themselves take attendees on a walking tour of their favorite structures and spots.
“So when you look at the annual report, you’ll see just a ton of work,” McCoy said.
He mentioned that work includes commissioning a group of local leaders to act as community curators for Exhibit Columbus. Plus, the foundation has enjoyed a role as a support and intermediary in major projects to refurbish the former North Christian Church structure and also the First Christian Church tower.
The annual report is titled “Our Town,” and multicolored pins with that slogan were distributed to the organization’s donors. McCoy explained that the slogan means “that everyone can have a place here, that it is shared.”
Like McCoy, outgoing board chair Rick Johnson noted the foundation’s expanding vision in part of his annual report note.
“What I love about this organization,” said Johnson, “is that while we are focused on caring for the past, we are also exploring what is next for this community and how we can play a leadership role in that work.”
How you can help
Landmark Columbus Foundation is in the midst of adding to its endowment fund. To give: landmarkcolumbusfoundation.org
