The Community's Conversation

In 2023, Columbus saw nearly 24,000 eviction filings, marking a 12,000-case increase from the previous year. Early 2024 data shows this trend worsening, with evictions reaching a 20-year high in Franklin County. Across Ohio, landlords initiated almost 108,000 eviction cases in 2023 — the highest since 2015. A major driver behind the surge is sluggish wage growth, which isn’t keeping pace with skyrocketing rents. The “housing wage” — what a worker needs to earn per hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment — rose 9% since last year. To afford such a home, full-time workers need an hourly wage of at least $20.81. In Columbus, however, this figure climbs even higher to $25.04 per hour. With a panel of regional leaders, CMC unpacks why evictions are climbing, the impact on communities when families lose their homes, and the strategies that advocates are leveraging to ensure more Central Ohio families stay housed. Featuring: Kate McGarvey, Executive Director, Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio Shayla D. Favor, Columbus City Council Member and Franklin County Prosecutor-Elect Gene Edwards, Director of Legal Research and Magistrate, Franklin County Municipal Court, The moderator is Danae King, Underserved Communities Reporter, The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was sponsored by The Community Shelter Board with support from The Columbus Dispatch. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus’ historic Italian Village on December 4, 2024.

For the first time since 2019, the all-new Columbus Foundation Community Benchmarking Report has measured how Central Ohio compares to more than 20 peer regions across more than 50 metrics and indices. Building on a decade of community tracking, this newest research across a range of metrics offers a clear window to understanding how Central Ohio stacks up to comparable metro areas and gives us one of the best snapshots of where our region finds itself on this side of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings dive deeply into five overall categories – population vitality, economic strength, personal prosperity, lifelong learning, and overall community wellbeing. In this second of two forums, we’ll dive deep into the study’s findings on Personal Prosperity, Lifelong Learning, and Overall Community Wellbeing, and explore what the data says about Central Ohio’s future. The complete new report can be downloaded here. Featuring: J. Averi Frost, Freedom Equity Inc. and the Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce Dr. Gina Ginn, CEO, Columbus Early Learning Centers Matt Martin, Director of Community Research, The Columbus Foundation The moderator is Autumn Glover, Senior Vice President, Provider + Community Partnerships, AndHealth. The presenting sponsor of this two-part series was The Columbus Foundation. This forum was sponsored by The American Electric Power Foundation. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. Our livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was also supported by The Ellis. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus’ historic Italian Village on November 20, 2024.

For the first time since 2019, the all-new Columbus Foundation Community Benchmarking Report has measured how Central Ohio compares to more than 20 peer regions across more than 50 metrics and indices. Building on more than a decade of community tracking, this newest research across a range of metrics offers a clear window to understanding how Central Ohio stacks up to comparable metro areas and gives us one of the best snapshots of where our region finds itself on this side of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings dive deeply into five overall categories – population vitality, economic strength, personal prosperity, lifelong learning, and overall community wellbeing. In this first of two forums, we’ll reflect on the results of the last benchmarking study in 2019 before diving deep into the findings of the first two categories: Population Vitality & Economic Strength – to see how Central Ohio measures up to its peers. The complete new report can be downloaded here. Featuring: Matt Martin, Director of Community Research, The Columbus Foundation Kenny McDonald, President and CEO, One Columbus Padmini Roy-Dixon, Economic Development Director & Regional Innovation Officer, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission The host is Doug Buchanan, Editor in Chief, Columbus Business First. This forum was sponsored by The Columbus Foundation. The presenting sponsor of CMC's livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was also supported by The Ellis. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on November 13, 2024.

This extraordinary and historic forum welcomes The Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu as we gather following the election to reconcile and reflect on the common goal of preserving democracy, upholding justice, and to re-commit to listening to one another in good faith and with open minds and hearts. The Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu, daughter of Archbishop Desmond and Nomalizo Leah Tutu, knew from early in life that the one thing she would never be is a priest. She has always said, “I have my father’s nose, I do not want his job” but life had other plans… After years spent as a development consultant, educator and race and gender activist she accepted her call to ordained ministry. The challenges of growing black and female in apartheid South Africa have been the foundation of Reverend Tutu’s life as an activist for human rights. Those experiences taught her that our whole human family loses when we accept situations of oppression, and how the teaching and preaching of hate and division injure us all. Featuring The Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu, Daughter of Archbishop Desmond and Nomalizo Leah Tutu, and Priest Associate, All Saint’s Episcopal, Atlanta, Georgia, and with moderator Colleen Marshall, Anchor, NBC4. This forum was sponsored by Otterbein University and The Health Policy Institute of Ohio. It was supported by Urban Strings Columbus. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on November 6, 2024.

Optimal Health Series Central Ohio is home to global leaders in healthcare, but access to healthcare remains uneven in the region as it is for much of the country. What are the costs of uneven healthcare coverage to our region, and what are the factors that prevent many from getting the care they need? With a panel of passionate healthcare leaders, we dive into the true costs of uneven access to healthcare in Central Ohio and how the doors to quality healthcare can be opened for all. Featuring: Dr. Chyke Doubeni, Chief Health Equity Officer, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Carrie Harris-Muller, Senior Vice President and Chief Population Health Officer, OhioHealth Amy Rohling McGee, President, Health Policy Institute of Ohio Kate Tullio, Associate Vice President for Health Equity, CareSource The moderator is Angela Dawson, Executive Director, Ohio Commission on Minority Health The presenting sponsors of CMC’s long-running Optimal Health Series are The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, OhioHealth, and Nationwide Children's Hospital. This forum was also sponsored by AstraZeneca and Cardinal Health. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was also supported by The Ellis. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on October 23, 2024.

With early voting already underway, Ohio voters are being asked to decide if a new approach to redrawing the state’s electoral districts is necessary. At stake is potentially nothing less than the future control of Ohio’s statewide legislative bodies. The nonprofit Citizens Not Politicians asserts that Ohio’s current electoral districts are gerrymandered – or drawn unfairly to tilt the electoral playing field – and favors Republicans who currently control both the Ohio House and Senate, while Republican leaders have said no such unfairness exists and that the Democratic failure to secure more of Ohio’s legislative seats is simply an accurate reflection of voter preference. If the proposed ballot initiative passes, control over drawing Ohio’s electoral districts will pass from politicians to a new 15-member nonpartisan board. Will the state’s voters agree that gerrymandering is an issue Ohio needs to solve with a fresh approach, or will the status quo win out? We unpack the future of Ohio’s legislative districts and the stark choice the state’s voters face this fall. Featuring: Kareem Crayton, Vice President, The Brennan Center for Justice Keith Faber, Ohio Auditor of State Maureen O'Connor, Former Chief Justice, The Supreme Court of Ohio Bradley Smith, The Josiah H. Blackmore II / Shirley M. Nault Professor of Law, Capital University The moderator is Jessie Balmert, State Government Reporter, The Columbus Dispatch | Gannett | USA Today Network. This forum was sponsored by The Charles F. Kettering Foundation, The Ohio Chamber of Commerce, and The Ohio Debate Commission. Our forum partner was The League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream and marketing partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was supported by Vue Columbus. This forum was recorded before a live audience at Vue Columbus in the Brewery District on October 16, 2024.

An erosion of LGBTQ+ rights seems to be the latest casualty of America's deepening polarization. This week’s panel takes stock of the trajectory of LGBTQ+ rights and what the future may hold for LGBTQ+ Ohioans and their families. Featuring: The Honorable Nickie J. Antonio, Ohio State Senate Democratic Leader Karen Hewitt, Founder and CEO, K Hewitt Consulting, and Co-Founder and COO, The Ohio REST Collective Cam Ogden, Policy Manager, Equality Ohio Ken Schneck, Editor, The Buckeye Flame The moderator was Ronald Murray, Associate Director of Health Advocacy at Equitas Health, and Community Engagement Liaison, Stonewall Columbus. This forum was sponsored by the Lynn Greer Legacy in Civic Engagement Fund Celebrating Inclusion & Equity for the LGBTQ Community, Huckleberry House, and Encova Insurance. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was supported by Vue Columbus. This forum was recorded before a live audience at Vue Columbus in the Brewery District on October 9, 2024

Could fresh thinking about philanthropy help save the lives of mothers and babies in Central Ohio? This panel explores how participatory grantmaking, trust-based philanthropy, and low-barrier funding promise to improve the lives of Central Ohio’s mothers and babies. Featuring: Isi Ikharebha Green, President, Physicians CareConnection Kelley Griesmer, President and CEO, The Women's Fund of Central Ohio Jill Miller, President and CEO, Bethesda Inc. and bi3 Danielle Tong, Executive Director, CelebrateOne The moderator was Jennifer Bullock, Weekday Anchor, NBC4. This forum was sponsored by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was supported by Vue Columbus. This forum was recorded before a live audience at Vue Columbus in Columbus, Ohio's Brewery District on October 2, 2024.

What would Central Ohio's future look like with safe, affordable mixed-income neighborhoods as a part of everyday life? How much healthier, stronger, and more equitable would our region be? For the most part, this is now just a dream for many central Ohioans. Our region is experiencing a severe housing shortage because we’ve built an average of only 8,000 housing units per year for more than a decade, while 20,000 units per year were needed to balance supply and demand. This caused the price of housing for both renters and buyers to increase by more than three times the increase in median income for both renters and homebuyers. Today, we examine the links connecting housing, health, and opportunity and spotlight the will to act that could open the gates to healthier outcomes for all. Featuring panelists: Merisa Bowers, Council President & Member At-Large, Gahanna City Council Michael B. Coleman, Former Mayor, City of Columbus, and Partner, Ice Miller Dr. Craig Pollack, Katey Ayers Endowed Professor, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (including opening remarks) Kenneth L. Wright, Mayor & Council Member At-Large, City of Westerville The moderator was Darci Congrove, Managing Director, GBQ. This forum was sponsored by The Robert Weiler Company and the Thanks Be To God Foundation. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was supported by The Ellis and by Families Flourish. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on September 25, 2024.

Will an innovative new collaboration help Central Ohio attract and build the workforce it needs? The Central Ohio Workforce Development Network is a new large-scale collaborative between thirteen organizations that backers say will open a wide new pipeline funneling eager workers to employers. With a panel of employment advocates and regional leaders, we unpack this newest effort to keep Central Ohio’s talent pool filled to the brim. Featuring: Toni Cunningham, President & CEO, Godman Guild Lisa Divine, Manager, Learning and Development, Worthington Steel Scott Johnson, Director, Central Ohio Workforce Development Network The moderator is Bo Chilton, CEO, IMPACT Community Action. This forum was sponsored by Accenture, Battelle, Otterbein University, Regionomics, and The United Way of Central Ohio. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was supported by The Ellis and Aspyr. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on September 18, 2024.

According to Hunger Ohio, our state has one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the country, with over 400,000 children across the state living in food-insecure households. What would it take to end hunger once and for all in Central Ohio? This forum brings together passionate experts to spotlight hunger in our midst and discuss actionable steps we can take together. Featuring: Matt Habash, President & CEO, Mid-Ohio Food Collective Dr. Mysheika W. Roberts, Health Commissioner, Columbus Public Health Dr. Carol Bradford, Dean of The Ohio State University School of Medicine and Vice President of Health Sciences, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Adam Troy, Executive Director, Community of Caring Development Foundation The moderator was Michelle Brown, President & CEO, Children’s Hunger Alliance. This forum was sponsored by The Jeffrey Family Legacy Fund, Kroger, Nationwide, and The Osteopathic Heritage Foundation. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was supported by The Ellis. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on September 11, 2024.

In today’s polarized landscape, can we still have constructive bipartisan dialogue, especially with a contentious election season underway? Are good-faith discussions across divides even possible in America’s white-hot political climate? Our panelists say not only are they possible, they’re essential if our democracy is to survive and thrive. By fostering respect and understanding – and most importantly, by truly listening to one another - we can still bridge gaps, collaborate, and succeed. Join us with an incredible panel of public servants who believe bipartisan dialogue in a democratic society is both possible and indispensable. Featuring: Lee Fisher, Former Ohio Attorney General, and Dean and Joseph C. Hostetler-BakerHostetler Chair in Law, Cleveland State University College of Law Betty Montgomery, Former Ohio Attorney General, and Of Counsel, Mac Murray & Shuster Nancy Rogers, Former Ohio Attorney General, and Former Dean of the Executive Committee for the Divided Community Project, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law The moderator is Laurel Beatty Blunt, Judge, 10th District Court of Appeals, State of Ohio. This forum was sponsored by The Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer Legacy Committee of the Ohio State Bar Association and Porter Wright Morris and Arthur. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was supported by The League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus and by The Ellis. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on September 4, 2024.

Central Ohio’s women face unique barriers compared to men in the creation and accumulation of their personal wealth. The cost of the disparity is enormous: the Federal Reserve estimated that closing gender and racial wealth gaps could have increased Ohio's GDP by $67 billion between 2005 and 2019. This week’s forum digs into the challenges Central Ohio women face in the creation of personal wealth and the new data and policies needed to close the disparity. Featuring: Courtney Falato, Vice President and Program Officer, Global Philanthropy, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Hannah Halbert, Executive Director, Policy Matters Ohio Kimberly Minor, President and CEO, Women of Color Retail Alliance Lillian Morales-Laster, Executive Director, Empowering Latinas Leadership Academy (ELLA) The moderator was Kelley Griesmer, President and CEO, The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio. This forum was sponsored by The Ohio State University and The Ellis. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on August 28, 2024.

The free press and democracy draw strength from each other. When one fails, or is deliberately targeted for destruction, the other is likely to also be a casualty. This week’s forum dives into the importance of a free press and the role journalism plays in keeping democracy vigorous. Featuring: Rita McNeil Danish, CEO of Signal Ohio Dr. Kelly Garrett, Director, School of Communication at The Ohio State University Michael Shearer, Executive Editor of The Columbus Dispatch The moderator is Rodney Dunigan, Assistant News Director with ABC 6. The forum partner was The Columbus Dispatch. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was supported by The Ellis. This forum was recorded at The Ellis in Columbus Ohio's historic Italian Village on August 21, 2024.

Get ready for retirement, because it’s coming: while not everyone in Central Ohio is ready to clock out for the last time, the region will soon have more residents reaching the age of 65 than starting kindergarten. It’s a situation with enormous implications for employers, school districts, healthcare providers, and taxpayers. The 65+ age group of Franklin County residents is the fastest growing segment of the county’s population, increasing over 50% between 2010 and 2022. During that time, the number of kindergartners – the 0-4 age group – grew by just 2.4%. According to a Columbus Dispatch article published earlier this year, the median age nationally is now 39 years old, rising steadily from 37.2 in 2010 and 35.2 in 2000. Ohio’s average age is even higher at 39.6 years. What policy and infrastructure changes are needed now to meet the housing, transit, homecare and healthcare needs of what’s rapidly becoming most of us? It’s a situation with HUGE implications for employers, school districts, healthcare providers, and taxpayers. Featuring: Dr. Holly Dabelko-Schoeny, Director of Research for The Age-Friendly Innovation Center, The Ohio State University College of Social Work Katie White, Director, The Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging Kalitha Williams, Outreach and Advocacy Manager, AARP Ohio Chanda Wingo, Director, Franklin County Office on Aging The moderator is Tasha Booker, Caregiver and Senior Vice President for External Engagement, City Year. This forum was sponsored by AARP Ohio, The Franklin County Board of Commissioners, and The Isabelle Ridgeway Foundation. The forum partner was King Business Interiors. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was supported by The Ellis. This forum was recorded at The Ellis in Columbus Ohio's historic Italian Village on August 7, 2024.

Columbus, Ohio has been stacking up impressive accolades for some time. The city is home to some of the country’s top attractions, world-class sports, a great restaurant and bar scene, and a growing and diversifying population that’s significantly younger than the statewide average. Recently, Experience Columbus – the destination marketing organization for Columbus – launched a new campaign to bring attention to the great things Columbus has and is. Its “yes, Columbus” campaign has set its sights on sharing the city’s greatness with potential visitors and residents and draws on findings from a communitywide perception study from 2023 that showed that while those who know Columbus are positive, familiarity with Ohio’s capital city is low outside of Ohio. What is the new campaign and what will its reach be? What is the Columbus brand? Columbus has long sought to shape a unique identity that’s appealing, aspirational, and authentic to who we are and what we want to become. Can we? Featuring: Yohannan "Yogi" Terrell, CEO, Warhol & WALL ST., and Director, Columbus Fashion Initiative Sarah Townes, Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer, Experience Columbus Stephanie Spicer, President, Luquire Steve Susi, Senior Director, Brand Strategy, Northwestern Mutual The moderator is Jennifer Walton, Chief Brand Officer, Sky Nile Consulting The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was supported by The Ellis. This forum was recorded at The Ellis in Columbus Ohio's historic Italian Village on July 31, 2024.

More than 1.5 million Ohioans – over 13% of the state’s population – lives in the cities governed by our three July 24 forum panelists. We welcome the current mayors of Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland, Ohio for an extraordinary program as these three dynamic leaders discuss the unique challenges and opportunities facing their 21st century cities. We’ll hear their strategies for economic growth, urban development, transit, community engagement, and much more. Join us for this rare opportunity to hear firsthand from the mayors shaping the future of Ohio’s three largest cities. Featuring: Andrew Ginther, Mayor, City of Columbus Justin Bibb, Mayor, City of Cleveland And Aftab Pureval, Mayor, City of Cincinnati The moderator is Yolanda Harris, News Anchor, WBNS-10TV This forum was sponsored by Bricker Graydon, The Columbus Region, The Ohio Mayors Alliance, and Spectrum. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was supported by The Ellis. This forum was recorded at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on July 24, 2024.

Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. was appointed as the 17th president of The Ohio State University by its Board of Trustees last August. He began his tenure at Ohio State on January 1 of this year. As president, Carter leads the state’s premier public research university with six campuses in Ohio and a student body of more than 65,000. Carter also served as president of the University of Nebraska System and was the U.S. Naval Academy’s longest continuously serving superintendent since the Civil War. He is a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral with 38 years of service and has logged more than 6,300 flying hours. Carter flew 125 combat missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Bosnia and Kosovo. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross with combat distinction for valor and is a recipient of the Bronze Star. CMC is honored to welcome President Carter for this special 1:1 forum as we explore the future of the state’s flagship university and the vision of its new leader. Featuring: Walter “Ted” Carter Jr., President, The Ohio State University The host is Matt Barnes, NBC4 Anchor This forum was sponsored by The Joseph & Carol Newcomb-Alutto Legacy in Civic Engagement Fund Focusing on Higher Education, The Ohio State University, Huntington, United Way of Central Ohio, Columbus Business First, Moody Nolan, and NBC4 WCMH TV. The presenting sponsor of CMC's livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was supported by Vue Columbus. This forum was recorded before a live audience at Vue Columbus in Columbus, Ohio's historic Brewery District on July 17, 2024.

A proposed major overhaul of Columbus’ 70-year-old zoning code will bring big changes to Columbus. If passed, the new code will dramatically reshape parts of the city by unlocking current density and height restrictions, allow more mixed-use developments, and much more. Proponents argue a zoning code overhaul is critical to help Columbus fix its worsening housing crisis, while opponents worry that the proposal could bring about a loss of control over new development in established neighborhoods, or even the loss of historic buildings. The proposed overhaul could allow for 88,000 new housing units along key city corridors, impacting 12,300 parcels. The proposal is currently in a 60-day public review period, with Columbus City Council’s final vote on the proposed changes coming this summer. Draft plans would allow much taller buildings and denser housing along major streets including Broad Street, High Street, and Cleveland Avenue, plus an elimination of parking requirements. While some welcome the increased housing options, others are concerned about potential changes to neighborhood character. With a panel bringing multiple voices to the table, we unpack the way this summer’s proposed zoning overhaul could reshape Columbus. Featuring: Rob Dorans, President Pro Tem, Columbus City Council Leah Evans, President & CEO, Homeport Dr. Rebecca Kemper, CEO, Columbus Landmarks Kathy Green, Vice-Chair and Zoning Committee Chair, Columbus Southside Area Commission The moderator is Mark Ferenchik, News Director, WOSU Public Media. This forum was sponsored by Crane Group. The presenting sponsor of CMC's livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was supported by The Ellis. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on July 10, 2024.

The state of charitable giving has a profound impact on hundreds of nonprofit organizations throughout Central Ohio, ranging from mighty arts, healthcare, and higher education institutions to local civic clubs and direct service providers. Trends in giving affect all of them — from the decline of giving among “everyday households,” increasing dependence on high-net-worth donors, trends in corporate giving, and the rise of donor advised funds, this dynamic sector represents more than 12% of Ohio’s workforce – about as many as are employed in manufacturing. Following the June 25 release of Giving USA’s annual report, we host a landmark conversation diving into the state and future of charitable giving. Featuring: Erika Gable, President, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Central Ohio Chapter Rachel Lustig, CEO, Lutheran Social Services Dr. Una Osili, Associate Dean for Research and International Programs, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, who also provides opening remarks. The host is Laura MacDonald, Principal & Founder, Benefactor Group Opening remarks by Dan Sharpe, Vice President for Community Research and Grants Management, The Columbus Foundation. The presenting sponsor was The Columbus Foundation. This forum was also sponsored by The Hodge Group. The forum partner was AFP Central Ohio. It was supported by The Ellis. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at The Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on June 26, 2024.