JOHN H. McCONNELL

SCHOLARSHIP FUND

McConnell The Columbus Blue Jackets in partnership with the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation, have established the John H. McConnell Scholarship Fund in honor of the team’s founder.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Foundation’s focus areas of giving?
The Foundation dedicates time, resources, and financial support to organizations committed to meeting the educational, cultural, health and wellness needs of its citizens. A primary focus is placed on its four pillars of giving including pediatric cancer, education, the health and safety of today’s youth and the development of youth and amateur hockey.
How much money does the Foundation grant to the Central Ohio Community annually?
Each season, the Blue Jackets Foundation grants over a quarter of a million dollars to the community. Since its inception, the Blue Jackets Foundation has granted nearly $3 million – with $1 million designated to the fight against pediatric cancer.
View the Blue Jackets Foundation Informational Brochure
How do I apply for a grant?
Blue Jackets Foundation monetary grant applications must be submitted each season by March 1. Any non-profit organization may apply for a grant, however, those with a focus of pediatric cancer, education, the health and safety of today’s youth and the development of youth and amateur hockey take priority.
The basic criteria for the grants are as follows:
  • Foundation grants range in value at the discretion of the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation Board of Directors
  • The Blue Jackets Foundation Board of Directors meets yearly (in March) to review grant applications for funding and distributes all grants at the end of the Blue Jackets season
  • Any organization applying for a grant must be a 501 (c)(3) serving the Central Ohio and/or Ohio area
  • Non-profit organizations requesting funding for a specific project are more likely to be awarded funding
  • The Foundation is not able to consider the following grant requests for approval
    • Individual/personal support
    • One time events Fundraising events (e.g. golf outings, school events) 
    • Political events and campaigns
    • Religiously affiliated events, campaigns, or organizations
    • Ethnic organizations
    • Labor groups
    • Staffing
    • Endowments and capital campaigns
    • Any request seeking financial support for the purpose of debt retirement
    • Programs outside the geographic markets we serve
    • Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, age or religion

View Grant Application

Grant Applications Due: March 1 (in office)
Address to: Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation
200 W. Nationwide Blvd
Columbus, OH 43215
Drop off: business hours 9am-5pm (Monday-Friday)

Where do I find the Foundation in the arena on Blue Jackets game nights?
The Foundation’s area (called the Community Corner) is located at the Front Street entrance, across from the Blueline, behind section 111. All of the Foundation’s initiatives are based out of this area including the Festival of Trees, Puck Surprise, Hats For Heroes merchandise sales, and game night memorabilia raffles.
Do you offer assistance to local youth interested in participating in the sport of hockey?
Yes! The Blue Jackets Foundation is dedicated to helping any child in the area that is interested in trying hockey fund equipment and other fees. The Blue Jackets Foundation specifically hosts an equipment bank for local youth to use. The Foundation’s GOAL is to enable every child interested in trying the sport of hockey to do it! For more information about this program, please contact the Blue Jackets Foundation - cbjfoundation@bluejackets.com or 614-246-3707.
How do you help non profit organizations raise funds?

Companies for the Community
The Columbus Blue Jackets Companies for the Community program is an initiative developed by the Blue Jackets and the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation. Together, a program has been built that allows the Central Ohio business community the opportunity to create memories for thousands of children that might not otherwise get the chance to attend a game. More...

Blue Jackets Assist
The Blue Jackets Assist program is a fundraising and awareness opportunity for local non-profit organizations. With Blue Jackets Assist, your organization may purchase Blue Jackets tickets at a discount and resell them up to face value, creating a profit for your organization. More...

50/50 Raffle
The 50/50 Raffle is held during regular season Friday, Saturday and Sunday home games at Nationwide Arena. Raffle tickets are sold for $1.00 each. We have up to 20,000 tickets per raffle available for sale. The 50/50 winner gets 50% of the total sales and, after expenses; the remainder will go to the participating charity... More...

Does the Foundation have an endowment and where is it housed?
In 2002, the Foundation established an endowment fund to ensure the future of the Foundation. The Foundation is housed and managed by the Columbus Foundation.
What type of Foundation is the Blue Jackets Foundation?
501 (c) 3 grant-making
What is the Foundation’s grant cycle?
Grants must be submitted to the Foundation no later than March 1 of each year. The Board of Directors meets to discuss the applications and distributes grants towards the end of the Blue Jackets hockey season.
View grant application.
What is the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation’s Tax ID number?
31-1688700
Are players here for appearances over the summer?
The Blue Jackets players and coaches enjoy giving back to the Central Ohio community; however, player, coach and broadcaster appearances are limited during the summer months as they leave Ohio to return home. Summer months - end of the season – middle of September.
How can I get a personal message on the board during games or have Stinger stop by?
Stinger Package ($65):
Stinger will stop by your seats to bring a Blue Jackets gift package to celebrate your special occasion.  Stinger will interact with the party guests and pose for a picture, but when play resumes Stinger must return to the concourse. He will also put the special person's name in lights on the matrix board. There are only a limited number of Stinger's packages available per game. Reservations are on, first come, first served basis. If you have a special gift you would like to include in Stinger's gift package please reserve in advance. The gift must be received at the arena by noon the day of the game.
Matrix Package ($25):
There are four matrix board messages available: "Happy Birthday", "Congratulations", "Happy Anniversary", and "Welcome". Messages are limited solely to the persons first and last name and they will be on the matrix board during the first intermission.
To book your package contact Jason Zumpano at (614) 246-4152 or by email at jzumpano@bluejackets.com 
Can I volunteer?
Yes! Please view the Volunteer Application and return it to the Blue Jackets Foundation. The Foundation will contact you when volunteer opportunities arise.
How do I request a donation?
Each month the Foundation donates $400 in autographed Blue Jackets merchandise to non-profit organizations to assist in their fundraising efforts.
Due to the significant number of requests the Blue Jackets Foundation receives daily for both player appearances and merchandise donations, we have established guidelines and criteria as to how we will provide support to non-profit organizations. These guidelines are in place to assure fairness, professionalism and to maximize the support the Blue Jackets Foundation can provide the greater Columbus community. Please note that all donation requests must be received on company letterhead six-weeks ahead of the date of your event.
View the Blue Jackets donation policy in PDF format.
Do you offer scholarships and how can I apply?
The Blue Jackets Foundation offers 2 types of scholarships annually:
John H. McConnell Fund Scholarship
The Blue Jackets players in partnership with the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation established the John H. McConnell Scholarship Fund in 2008 to honor the life and legacy of the team’s late founder John H. McConnell. The fund was created to give fans of all ages the opportunity to honor Mr. Mac and his deep-rooted belief in the importance of giving back to the community. Each year, one local high school senior, who personifies his character and leadership, will be awarded a $10,000 scholarship
Donate to the John H. McConnell Scolarship fund
Apply for the John H. McConnell Scholarship 
High School Hockey Scholarship
Given annually to a high school senior hockey player going on to a college or university (not necessarily playing hockey in college)
Scholarship Criteria:
  • Applicant must be a high school senior
  • Applicant must be a team member of one of the following high school teams: Thomas Worthington, Worthington Kilbourne, Dublin Scioto, Dublin Coffman, Dublin Jerome, DeSalesUpper Arlington, St. Charles, Hilliard, Olentangy, Westerville, Gahanna, Northeast Storm, Pickerington/Reynoldsburg, Newark or Athens.
  • Applicant must plan to attend accredited two or four year US college/university as a full-time student beginning the summer or fall immediately following high school graduation.
  • Applicant must have a GPA of 3.0 or better (based on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent and student shall be evaluated based upon all academic work completed through the first term in which the final season of eligibility concludes.
  • Applicant performed with distinction in terms of leadership, realizing potential, character and positive attitude as a member of the hockey team.
  • Applicant conducted himself/herself, both on and off the ice, in a manner that has brought credit to the student and their institution.
In addition to the above, consideration shall be given to participation in school activities, other than academic and athletic, in which the student has had the opportunity to demonstrate qualities of leadership and serve as an example to fellow students.
Apply for the High School Hockey Scholarship
Who do I contact with media questions?
For media inquiries contact:
  Karen Davis
  Director of Communications
  614-246-4310
  kdavis@bluejackets.com
View the Blue Jackets Foundation Fact Sheet