The Columbus Foundation

10/09/2026

One day. So many conversations. And plenty to keep talking about. Last week, thousands of people across central Ohio gathered for The Big Table® to listen, share experiences, explore ideas, and connect with their neighbors.

To everyone who hosted, participated, invited someone to join, or helped make space for conversation, thank you!

In the coming weeks, we'll be sharing more stories, reflections, and insights from this year's Big Table conversations. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, what started around the table doesn't have to end there. Keep the conversation going, reconnect with someone you met, or take a small step toward something that matters to you.

09/29/2026

10 years of bringing the community together at The Big Table®.

La Baker has been a part of every one. What keeps bringing her back? The chance to sit down with people she may not know, hear different perspectives, and better understand the community around her.

“Having conversations around this city about what works really well and what doesn’t work as well gives me a lot of hope that we’re going to change the world the way we want to see it changed.”

La believes change can begin with something simple: taking a step. “The Big Table offers that step to all of us.”

Thank you, La, for pulling up a chair year after year—and to everyone who has been part of The Big Table over the last decade.

Excited for the conversations still ahead!

09/29/2026

Today is The Big Table®! In classrooms, workplaces, libraries, community spaces, coffee shops, and homes across central Ohio, people are taking time to gather and talk about what matters to them.

Thank you to everyone hosting, joining, welcoming someone new, and making the conversation their own.

If you share a moment from your table, use and tag The Columbus Foundation so it can be seen alongside others from around the community.

09/29/2026

Good morning, central Ohio!

The Big Table® begins at sunrise, and one of the first conversations of the day is underway at Grange Insurance Audubon Center. The topic for this morning’s Big Table: neighboring!

Here’s to a day of listening, sharing, and connection across our community.

09/28/2026

Tomorrow is The Big Table®. Across central Ohio, each gathering will have its own people, topic, setting, and rhythm.

Hosts: welcome the group, begin in the way that feels right for your table, and use the materials that are helpful. And a reminder: today is the final day to pick up your host supplies!

Participants: bring your experiences, your curiosity, and a willingness to hear from others.

We look forward to seeing what communities create together.


thebigtable.org

The Big Table® is a community-wide day of conversation designed to inspire civic engagement and connection. Through curiosity and conversation, we can better understand the challenges we face together and the opportunities ahead. When we show up with kindness and stay engaged, we can impr...

09/24/2026

Meeting urgent needs. Building a better future.

YWCA Columbus is one of The Columbus Foundation’s 2026 5 Nonprofits to Watch. Through childcare, housing and shelter support, advocacy, and social justice work, the organization is responding to the needs of families today while working toward lasting change.

Each day, YWCA Columbus serves more than 1,200 children through its childcare programs and hundreds of families through its housing and shelter work—all while advocating for a future where every family has the opportunity to thrive.

Watch to hear from President and CEO Elizabeth Brown, then learn more about the 2026 5 Nonprofits to Watch at https://columbusfoundation.org/5-nonprofits-to-watch.

09/23/2026

One week from today, people across central Ohio will gather for The Big Table®.

Public conversations are taking shape across central Ohio, each with its own setting, hosts, participants, and areas of interest.

Browse the available tables and find one that feels like a good fit at thebigtable.org.

New people and new perspectives are part of what make the day meaningful!

09/18/2026

FIND YOUR TABLE! ⏰ There’s still time to take your seat at The Big Table® and add your voice!

Public tables across central Ohio still have open seats for September 29, with conversations happening at libraries, YMCAs, community spaces, online, and more.

Some are open-ended. Others are centered around a specific topic. Take a look, find one that catches your interest, and join the conversation.

Explore available public tables and save your seat at https://columbusfoundation.org/event-registration?eventKey=38.

Partners:
Besa
Columbus Metropolitan Club
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Donte Woods-Spikes
National Veterans Memorial and Museum
YMCA of Central Ohio

09/14/2026

For 50 years, Columbus Metropolitan Club has created space for central Ohioans to come together, exchange ideas, and engage with the issues shaping our community.

Last week, CMC was recognized with the HumanKindness Prize for its longstanding commitment to connection, conversation, and civic engagement.

Congratulations to the CMC team and community on 50 years—and here’s to what comes next!

09/08/2026

In 2025, generosity reached a new milestone in our community: The Columbus Foundation awarded a record $477.4 million in grants, supporting more than 5,200 nonprofit organizations in central Ohio and beyond.

Behind these numbers are thousands of donors investing in the causes they care about and nonprofits working every day to support individuals, families, and communities.

Today, at our annual Celebration of Philanthropy, we also recognized two longstanding Columbus institutions: Huntington National Bank, the 2026 Harrison M. Sayre Award honoree, and Columbus Early Learning Centers, the 2026 Columbus Foundation Award honoree.

Huntington has called Columbus home for 160 years, with a long history of philanthropy and service in our region. Columbus Early Learning Centers has served local children and families since 1887, helping young learners get a strong start in life.

Read more about this year’s record grantmaking and the philanthropy award honorees: https://cbusfdn.org/4dqo2j4