While Democrat Amy Acton served as a grants manager at the Columbus Foundation, records show the foundation administered millions of dollars in 2017 and 2018 to organizations involved in abortion services, civil liberties litigation, immigration and refugee services, diversity initiatives, climate activism and Muslim advocacy.
Acton, who is he? run against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio, worked for less than two years as a grants administrator at the Columbus Foundation, a large 501(c)(3) charity that manages donor funds and distributes grants.
In 2017, the Colón Foundation administered $272,666 in grants to Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, a nonprofit that provides abortions. In 2018, the foundation administered another $243,951 to the same organization.
The foundation also administered $77,915 in grants to the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio in 2017 and $1,000,000 in 2018. The national ACLU says“due process and equal protection” apply to all people “regardless of immigration status,” says it works “to attack the roots of racial injustice,” “defends the right of transgender people to be themselves,” and describes Roe v. Wade like the case that ensured “a woman’s right to abortion.”
Another recipient was Food & Water Watch, which received $8,050,000 in grants administered by the Columbus Foundation in 2018. Food & Water Watch says which “fights for sustainable food, clean water, and a livable climate for all of us” and works to protect people from “corporations and other destructive economic interests that put profits before all else.” The group also says that “people of all races, religions, genders and sexual orientations deserve fair treatment and equitable opportunities and outcomes.”
The Columbus Foundation also administered grants for the Harmony Project, which received $572,556 in 2017 and $598,500 in 2018. the group says that its mission is “to build a more connected community by breaking down social barriers, overcoming community divisions and empowering people’s voices through art, education and volunteer service.”
Besa Community, Inc. received $58,558 in 2017 and $91,500 in 2018. kiss says that believes “diversity strengthens our community,” adding that its “mission is rooted in the idea that bringing together diverse groups of people drives innovation and change.”
The Northeast Ohio Diversity Center received $49,150 in 2017 and says Its mission is to “empower people and organizations to embrace all forms of diversity and create communities where everyone belongs.”
CAIR Ohio received $50,000 in 2017 and $75,000 in 2018 of grants administered by the Columbus Foundation, according to records provided by the IRS. CAIR Ohio says which, “through legal representation, education, media relations and advocacy,” works to “empower the American Muslim community and encourage participation in political and social activism.” The group also says it counsels, mediates and advocates for “Muslims and others who have experienced discrimination, harassment or hate crimes.”
CAIR subsequently became the subject of state-level appointments by the Republican governors of Texas and Florida. On November 18, 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) designated the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations as foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations, a move his office said would allow law enforcement actions against the organizations and their affiliates in Texas and prohibit them from purchasing or acquiring land in the state. Abbott’s proclamation described CAIR as an Islamist organization and cited the FBI as saying it was founded as a “front group” for “Hamas and its support network” in the United States.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) continued on December 8, 2025, with an executive order designating the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations for the purposes of that order. CAIR-Florida and CAIR National responded by pointing to a lawsuit and calling the order “unconstitutional and defamatory” after CAIR also filed a federal lawsuit against Abbott over his appointment in Texas.
The Columbus Foundation also administered money to immigrant and refugee assistance groups during Acton’s time there. Community Refugee and Immigration Services received $47,057 in 2017. The group describe its mission is to help “refugees and immigrants achieve security and stability, maintain self-sufficiency, and achieve successful integration into the central Ohio community.”
The Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services Foundation (ETSS) received $5,000 in 2017 and $61,700 in 2018. ETSS says which “began in 2000 as an outreach organization focused on the Ethiopian refugee and immigrant community.” Twenty years later, it was serving “individuals and families from more than 100 countries and cultures” through programs that included academic, cultural and social after-school and summer programs, ESOL, job preparation and placement, and family and community navigation for mental health and well-being.
The Columbus Foundation also administered $50,000 in 2017 to the Foundation for National Progress, which publishes Mother Jones. InfluenceWatch describe the foundation as a “center-left nonprofit” that “publishes and supports the social democratic news and opinion magazine Mother Jones” and “supports the development of center-left journalists who write for the publication.”
Acton’s record on abortion has also put her at odds with some pro-life activists in Ohio. “Ohio Right to Life Action Coalition”terminated his endorsement of DeWine in November 2020 over his appointment of Acton,” according to the Coshocton Grandstand. The report also says the coalition criticized DeWine “for allowing abortion clinics to remain open amid the COVID-19 pandemic when the state health department halted elective surgeries and closed many businesses as part of its stay-at-home order.”
Acton has since received support from abortion rights advocates. In November 2025, EMILY’s list endorsed Acton for Ohio governor, and EMILY’s List President Jessica Mackler said the group was “excited to endorse Amy and work with her to win this race.”
Also that month, Acton used social media to report the Ohio legislature’s passage of a bill requiring middle and high school students to watch an anti-abortion video.
Breitbart News reached out to Acton’s campaign for comment but did not receive a response.
