Annual State of Nonprofits

The Community's Conversation

Central Ohio’s vast range of nonprofits care for children, families, animals, the environment, and just about everything in between. Our region’s nonprofit organizations – both large and small – are doing work that’s more important than ever, yet some are facing an uncertain future amid potential funding cuts and anxiety among the communities they serve. With a panel of passionate nonprofit leaders, we unpack the state of Central Ohio nonprofits at one of CMC’s most popular forums of the year.

Featuring: Julie Fletcher, Director of Community Impact, Crane Group

Joe Gottron, President & CEO, Gladden Community House Denise Robinson, President and CEO, Alvis Tom Schmid, President & CEO, The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium The host is Michael Corey, Executive Director, Human Service Chamber of Central Ohio

Concluding remarks by Dr. Frederic Bertley, President and CEO, COSI and CEO, The National Veterans Memorial and Museum

The presenting sponsor of this forum was The Columbus Foundation.

This forum was sponsored by Bank of America, Benefactor Group, Columbia Gas of Ohio, The Columbus Museum of Art, Cramer and Associates, Huntington Bank, Mollard Consulting, and The United Way of Central Ohio. 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 also supported by The National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus on June 25, 2025.