Overview
The Columbus HOPE “Helping other people every day” Foundation Inc. is dedicated to bettering the environment for, and increasing the self-reliance and dignity of people with Intellectual Disabilities and related conditions. We believe these individuals should have the community support, tools and resources necessary to lead independent productive lives. Through our support of non-profit service organizations that share this philosophy, we are making the world easier to navigate for thousands of people every day.
The Columbus HOPE Foundation accomplishes our mission by developing supplemental sources of funding to augment the available state and federal Medicaid money for our Intellectual Disabled citizens. Medicaid and state resources are limited, and often do not meet all the needs of the individuals. Immediate, critical and supplemental needs of individuals and families that cannot be met through other funding sources may be funded from the Columbus HOPE Foundation resources.
The Columbus HOPE Foundation Inc. is a South Carolina based non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation operated by the South Carolina Knights of Columbus. Proceeds from our fundraising activities are focused on helping our South Carolina Intellectually Disabled citizens. We work in coordination with the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, the county Disability Boards and other non-profit service providers to identify the needs, the gaps and the priorities for allocation of collected funds.
Since its inception in 1976 the Columbus HOPE Foundation has raised more than “8.9 Million Dollars” to assist South Carolina citizens with Intellectual Disabilities. Last year the Foundation raised $419,862.00 statewide.
With your help and the help of the community, we can continue to change the present and the future for these citizens. Consider donating today!
Leadership
Columbus HOPE Foundation Inc. is volunteer based and operated non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. The Foundation’s membership is comprised of the Columbus HOPE chairmen from each of the Sixty-Two Knights of Columbus councils in South Carolina. A Board of Directors is established to govern the Columbus HOPE Foundation, elect Officers of the Foundation and to aid the Foundation in the accomplishment of its mission. The Officers manage the daily operation and direction of the foundation.
The Officers of the Foundation are: the President who also serves at the Chairman of the Board, the Secretary and the Treasurer. In addition, two main committees are established for the purpose of facilitating, directing and managing as required the fundraising and publicity activities of the Foundation.
Officers and Committee Chairmen
Joseph F. Gubeli, President and Chairman of the Boards
Larry R. Papineau, Secretary
Daniel E. Barton, Treasurer
Thomas V. DeMars Jr, Drive Chairman
Anthony Schopp, Communications Director
Board of Directors
State Council – Michael A. Allen, State Deputy
Charleston Region - Richard E. Koehler, PSD, FDM
Myrtle Beach Region – Gilbert T. Cushing, PGK, FDD
Greenville Region – Larry D. Patten, FDD
Rockhill Region – Robert W. Ficco, PSD
Columbia Region/State Liaison – Roosevelt Cummings, PSD, FDM
Aiken Region – Charles R. Goergen, PGK
Beaufort Region – Anthony Schopp
What we do
Simply put:
- We Raise Funds
- We advocate for the Intellectually Disabled
- We serve our Intellectually Disabled citizens, the homes and the communities that support them through our partnership with the Knights of Columbus, state and local service organizations.
Since its inception in 1976 the Columbus HOPE Foundation has raised more than “7 Million Dollars” to assist South Carolina citizens with Intellectual Disabilities. Last year the Foundation raised $419,862.00 statewide.
The Columbus HOPE Foundation campaign has been very successful since its inception over forty years ago. Our Operation has been very successful but it must continue to grow and change with the times. The South Carolina State Council has established that the Columbus HOPE Foundation will be a year around fundraising operation project with the our traditional Tootsie Roll fundraising segment being held between Labor Day and Columbus Day if at all possible. To meet the funding requirements, additional fundraising activities are defined, planned and executed by the Foundation and the Sixty-Two (62) South Carolina Knights of Columbus councils.
Our volunteer staff and work force minimizes the overhead costs so that we can maximize the proceeds available to accomplish our mission. The success of these events are credited largely to the individual donors, fundraising activities participants and especially to our corporate sponsors, who lend their names, provide financial support and participate in the event.
We need your help to make our fundraising events a success. Becoming a sponsor or sign up to participate or donate. Refer to our Events and News page for current and upcoming events near you.
