Democrat Amy Acton previously worked as a grants manager at the Columbus Foundation, which donated millions to various causes in 2017 and 2018. These included abortion services, civil rights litigation, immigrant and refugee support, diversity initiatives, climate action, and advocacy for Muslims, according to available records.
So, who is Acton? Well, she’s running against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio. She served for nearly two years at the Columbus Foundation, a significant charity that manages endowments and hands out grants.
The Columbus Foundation allocated $272,666 in 2017 to Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, a nonprofit that offers abortions. In 2018, this foundation contributed an additional $243,951 to the same organization.
In 2017, the foundation also provided $77,915 to the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, followed by a massive $1 million in 2018. The national ACLU emphasizes that “due process and equal protection” should be upheld for everyone, regardless of immigration status. This aligns with their mission of addressing racial injustice and advocating for transgender rights. The landmark case, Roe v. Wade, affirms a woman’s right to have an abortion.
Food & Water Watch was another recipient of funds. In 2018, the Columbus Foundation granted a total of $8.05 million. The organization claims it’s striving for sustainable food, clean water, and a healthy climate for everyone, while defending fair treatment and equal opportunities for all individuals.
The foundation also supported the Harmony Project, giving $572,556 in 2017 and $598,500 in 2018. The project aims to foster connected communities by breaking social barriers, fostering artistic expression, and promoting volunteer efforts.
Besa Community Co., Ltd. received $58,558 in 2017 and $91,500 in 2018 from the foundation. They believe that embracing diversity is key to strengthening communities, focusing on how diverse groups can drive innovation.
Another organization, the Northeast Ohio Diversity Center, received $49,150 in 2017. Their mission revolves around empowering people and organizations to celebrate diversity and create inclusive communities.
CAIR received funds totaling $50,000 in 2017 and $75,000 in 2018, sourced from the Columbus Foundation’s grants. This organization aims to empower Muslim communities in America while promoting their engagement in political and social spheres. They also offer support for those who have faced discrimination or hate crimes.
Interesting to note, CAIR has faced scrutiny from some Republican governors, particularly in Texas and Florida. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, on November 18, 2025, suggested designating both the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations, which would lead to stricter enforcement against these groups within the state. He painted CAIR as an organization with ties to Islamist extremism.
Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis issued a similar designated order on December 8, 2025, classifying these entities in the same contentious light. This led to threats of lawsuits from CAIR against the order, which they termed both unconstitutional and defamatory.
During her tenure at the Columbus Foundation, Acton also contributed to immigrant and refugee services. Community Refugee and Immigrant Services, for example, received $47,057 in 2017, helping refugees and immigrants settle and thrive in central Ohio.
The Ethiopian Tewahed Social Services (ETSS) Foundation was another beneficiary, receiving $5,000 in 2017 and $61,700 in 2018. They aim to assist people from varied backgrounds, providing crucial support like job preparation and community navigation for health services.
Additionally, the Columbus Foundation donated $50,000 to the Foundation for National Progress in 2017, known for publishing the magazine Mother Jones and supporting center-left journalism.
Acton’s stance on abortion places her in opposition to certain pro-life activists in Ohio. Critics have pointed out that she and Governor Mike DeWine have clashed over abortion policies, particularly during the pandemic when some clinics remained open against other elective health guidelines.
However, Acton has garnered backing from groups advocating for abortion rights. In November 2025, she received an endorsement from EMILY’s List, which expressed excitement about supporting her in the gubernatorial race.
That same month, Acton took to social media to express concern over a recent Ohio law requiring students to view anti-abortion videos, asserting that this approach was inappropriate for educational settings.
Efforts were made to reach Acton’s campaign for comments, but no responses were provided.
