Columbus State Community College Receives $100,000 Grant from Ingram-White Castle Foundation

Three-year grant will support college’s internship program

 

Campus News | Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Columbus State Community College received a $100,000 grant from the Ingram-White Castle Foundation to support its internship program. Bill Ingram, Maryann Ingram-Kelley and Erin Shannon, members of the Ingram family that owns White Castle, made the announcement this morning at a special presentation at the Columbus Foundation. 

The “Giving Renews Our World” (GROW) grant, which will be provided in three increments of $33,333 over the next three years, will be used to financially bolster lower-paying and unpaid student internships, develop a new micro-internship program for short-term paid career exploration experiences, and build a dedicated college internship staff team.

“We’re grateful for the Ingram-White Castle Foundation’s trust in Columbus State, allowing us to give our students the best start possible as they begin their careers,” said Katy Trombitas, Columbus State vice president of Advancement. “With generous investments like these, we can build a better future for our students and our community.”

Columbus State is Ohio’s second-largest higher education institution by enrollment, serving students throughout Central Ohio and the entire state. The college has a long history of learn-and-earn programs integrating paid workforce experience into its curriculum.

The Ingram-White Castle Foundation has supported the work of Columbus State for over three decades. Its contributions have supported the construction of Mitchell Hall, essential Columbus State foundation fundraisers such as Taste the Future, and the scholarships and programs that students need to succeed.

While working with Columbus State last year to find and hire an intern, White Castle learned that the college was revamping its internship program to engage more students. Impressed with the program and the valuable experience it gives students, White Castle leaders suggested it for the GROW grant to the Ingram-White Castle Foundation. 

“When the foundation was considering organizations to receive the GROW grant, Columbus State immediately rose to the top,” said Erin Shannon, corporate relations manager at White Castle and a fourth-generation member of the Ingram family. “It’s an outstanding program that’s meeting the needs of our future workforce and helping them prepare for successful careers.”

Columbus State is the 10th Columbus-area nonprofit or educational institution to receive the GROW grant since the Ingram-White Castle Foundation introduced it in 2001. Although the foundation primarily supports projects in the field of education, its mission is much broader. The foundation awards grants that help disadvantaged students achieve academic success, prepare students for careers, strengthen educational institutions and address critical human service needs. 

The foundation is part of Castle Shares, White Castle’s overarching giving program that encompasses both the foundation’s grantmaking and the family-owned business’ corporate philanthropy initiatives. Every year, the two entities combined donate more than $2 million to charitable causes, community groups and nonprofit organizations. 

About Columbus State Community College
Serving more than 40,000 students annually, Columbus State is the largest community college in Ohio. The college has been nationally recognized for advancements in student success and workforce innovation, including the prestigious Leah Meyer Austin Award. 

Among other collaborations to enhance student success and career opportunities, Columbus State convenes the Workforce Advisory Council, comprised of the chief talent officers of the largest employers in the region; co-facilitates the Central Ohio Compact, an alliance of leaders from K-12, higher education, employers, and social service groups focused on student achievement; and partners with four-year universities to offer debt-free pathways to bachelor’s degrees.   

About White Castle®
White Castle, America’s first fast-food hamburger chain, has been making hot and tasty Sliders since 1921. Based in Columbus, Ohio, the family-owned business owns and operates more than 350 restaurants as well as a retail division providing its famous fare in freezer aisles of retail stores nationwide. As part of its commitment to offering the highest quality products, White Castle owns and operates its own Slider Provider meat plants, bakeries and frozen-Slider retail plants. White Castle has earned numerous accolades over the years including Time magazine’s “Most Influential Burger of All Time” (2014, The Original Slider®) and Thrillist’s “Best Plant-Based Fast-Food Burger” (2019, Impossible™ Slider). In 2021, Fast Company named the fast-food pioneer one of the “10 Most Innovative Dining Companies.” White Castle, which earned the Great Place to Work® Certification™ in 2021 and 2022, is known for the legendary engagement of its team members, more than 1 in 4 of whom have worked for the business for at least 10 years. White Castle is beloved by its passionate fans (“Cravers”), many of whom compete each year for entry into the Cravers Hall of Fame. The official White Castle app makes it easy for Cravers to sign up for the Craver Nation® loyalty program, access sweet deals and place pickup orders at any time. They can also have their orders delivered using one of White Castle’s delivery partners. For more information on White Castle, visit whitecastle.com.

 

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