The Columbus Foundation

10/21/2026

100 cookie recipes. One sweet reason to come together. 🍪

When Columbus residents Tania Peterson and Liz Martin bonded over their love of baking, they started dreaming up ways to bring fellow bakers together to swap recipes, share tips, taste a few treats, and make new friends.

Their latest creation? The Columbus Cookbook Challenge, where local bakers took on 100 recipes from a single cookbook, turning a shared hobby into something much sweeter. No competition. No blue ribbons. Just a love of baking and a chance to connect.

And the cherry on top? The event raised more than $1,000 for the Gifts of Kindness Fund at The Columbus Foundation, helping support central Ohio neighbors facing unexpected hardships.

Get the full scoop in our latest At the Table blog: https://columbusfoundation.org/at-the-table-blog/a-recipe-for-community

💬 What hobby or shared interest has helped you find your community?

10/19/2026

10 years of The Big Table®. Our biggest year yet!

This year, an estimated 6,400 people across 72 central Ohio ZIP codes came together to share ideas, listen to new perspectives, and connect with their neighbors.

And the conversations made an impression.

91% of surveyed participants said their discussions deepened their understanding of community needs, opportunities, or strengths. More than half discussed ways to keep the momentum going beyond The Big Table.

From classrooms and libraries to workplaces and kitchen tables, thank you to everyone who helped make this milestone year so meaningful.

Explore the stories, reflections, and highlights from this year's Big Table at thebigtable.org.

View the PDF: https://cbusfdn.org/4yqM5Gp.

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