[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6469642,"mediaKeyId","5780673-cea02d4f352c1e3d0fe5f23880e6bca2","parentId",5780673,"title","Panelists advise small nonprofits to use partners, pro bono services and storytelling to expand reach","audioSeconds",201,"startMs",1759000,"endMs",1960000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780673-cea02d4f352c1e3d0fe5f23880e6bca2&start=1759&end=1960","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780673-cea02d4f352c1e3d0fe5f23880e6bca2/thumbnail_1759000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6469642/Ohio/Panelists-advise-small-nonprofits-to-use-partners-pro-bono-services-and-storytelling-to-expand-reach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469642-401709e47a837d6c129c547e56d4a0aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770629705&Signature=cq6fW1VJpxzyLzsNLXEak~pfsNhtOG3LQo1mq6SjlWtPs4ewtlhnb6DE62IJMVOYJyM~kz1nQr21wutZABDQOBQqjf~rQXF~eyx7Qc5eDBLN7q8y3TMQkdDckdGOWpf46kBLWHKP7cfJdOxWxc4f76XsfnI6HcVVyw84Mn3TBNLVk~bBYTWgefoWl0PM1HqxvVrPVeM9ToLec6VZmPG-iEjgriLsosscj5Lfh7ci23uKFtnGI6Z6UJiHaZ0unKEaSwJvchn6JzhLqnKUSsNOjNZNaVsS5kirrukUhmEg~EVMSWiF-a720OtXFF4hAfJ50Knrxudfb5oLvZ9PAFnXww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Columbus","date","2025-09-18T00:03:20.227Z","article","At the Columbus Metropolitan Club forum, small nonprofit leaders seeking ways to reach low‑income residents were advised to leverage partnerships, storytelling and pro bono services rather than rely solely on internal budgets.

Brian Urbanski of the Aubrey Affordable Housing Foundation told the panel his organization has no advertising or PR budget and asked how small nonprofits can get the word out. Panelists recommended three practical steps: cultivate passionate volunteers and advocates who will tell the organization’s story in the community; ask foundation partners and other funders to help amplify success stories and introductions; and seek pro bono work from companies that offer marketing or communications services.

Megan Cummings, of Philanthropy Ohio, suggested that foundations sometimes act as a “seal of approval” and can connect small groups to donors and networks. Another panelist urged organizations to invest some funds in outreach as a growth strategy: “What could be achieved if more people knew about our mission and it inspired more money to come to us so we could serve more people,” she said.

Panelists also suggested practical storytelling tactics such as elevating client outcomes and having clients tell their own stories to build credibility and attract support. No formal programs or funding commitments were announced during the Q&A; advice was framed as practical outreach strategies for cash‑strapped nonprofits.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbus Metropolitan Club: Strengthening Partnerships That Power Civic Engagement","oneSentenceSummary","During an audience Q&A, panelists recommended that small nonprofit organizations recruit passionate champions, ask funders to amplify success stories, pursue pro bono marketing and reserve funds for outreach to grow visibility and funding.","taxTitle","Columbus City Council, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio","taxId",75950,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6469646,"Panel urges daily civic engagement, civility and voting at Columbus Metropolitan Club forum",2244,211000,2455000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780673-cea02d4f352c1e3d0fe5f23880e6bca2&start=211&end=2455","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780673-cea02d4f352c1e3d0fe5f23880e6bca2/thumbnail_211000.jpg","/articles/6469646/Ohio/Panel-urges-daily-civic-engagement-civility-and-voting-at-Columbus-Metropolitan-Club-forum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469646-c51451274115f03e144cc52a245f67b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770629705&Signature=j6EvITYAJjnn6xczsur3ur9Fw2876ZkCsl8V-AU51tnCHk-qZQ1j4M7IyLNoHKlfWbiFl2DlUlovPV5BlSA2JgrDU5ynSYWbK0aujHOcv68kuYHRIWOddmrLjP8gdSDmgnCGY-ypCF4lnisoskv4-jNpiiUQ2zpl8u3juL7zcnOP7SJlymd-SZCYpUJ~Z8uvU4rnD9UJP2vM8XH81ByGsg12gOtJMbbMN8iKkE195L46D11LIZBGCC9xYNivLknza1HlLL2OQzMzWKs72xQCJVCLSwZK7GC76bS8bMaFiLNFh-34TU7RwilP4P-ZCxSdaN4GkPdaRjR44stDvxumWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Speakers at a Columbus Metropolitan Club forum on civic engagement urged everyday participation, stronger civic education and civility as antidotes to polarization, and one speaker closed the evening by urging all present to vote.

“Disagreeing, but never being disagreeable,” Dr. Frederick Birtley, president and CEO of COSI and interim CEO of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, said in describing why civility matters. Birtley invoked Sen. John Glenn’s legacy in founding the museum and said civic conversation and civility are cornerstones of a healthy democracy.

Megan Cummings, president and CEO of Philanthropy Ohio, described civic engagement as “a way for us to participate and have agency in what happens with our communities,” listing voting, volunteering and attending public meetings as examples. Sandy Doyle Ahern said simply: “Civic engagement... is caring enough to show up for something.”

Panelists debated how to reduce polarization. “You have to do it despite polarization,” Ahern said, arguing that engagement should continue even when national discourse is fraught. Another panelist described four “rings” of influence — personal relationships, peer groups, organizational culture and systems — and urged people to act at whatever level they control.

The panel debated whether schools and public culture adequately teach civic skills. One panelist said civics is not consistently part of school curriculum, which hinders long‑term change. The forum closed with a direct appeal from moderator Matt Barnes: “If you didn't understand, this is why it's critical that you vote. We're in this situation because a group outvoted another group, and now we're struggling through it.”

No formal actions were taken; the session consisted of discussion and audience questions aimed at strengthening civic participation locally.","Panelists emphasized civility, everyday participation and teaching civic skills, and closed with a direct call to vote from host Matt Barnes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6469648,"Regional funding review committee to weigh support as panel warns philanthropy can’t plug looming gaps",1539,861000,2400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780673-cea02d4f352c1e3d0fe5f23880e6bca2&start=861&end=2400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780673-cea02d4f352c1e3d0fe5f23880e6bca2/thumbnail_861000.jpg","/articles/6469648/Ohio/Regional-funding-review-committee-to-weigh-support-as-panel-warns-philanthropy-cant-plug-looming-gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469648-5a9914766606fef269bae6463cb08f64/orig.mp4?Expires=1770629705&Signature=bQZselVkLZQe3oJhBrX0evgw456COBifoBhD7VApncWf0PCrCI1pnL1WXV6C0dnRBxGWkwU8GYkvyRIcK85YYSNq2Ma-TPOIayqCgw8VLMfcdP6m3wyUVqu25ovU3GFrzN0WwxudxUbOLOE69tjYoBZ78D0C8yNFLGVsIzMy5XCNzbqSL39z46bIfg5F5-DZy-0dG2x3tLpFoc31UApN9AyUH0a0kry3P9UaYlSnsbasCcdo8qdwM0XsbksAu5ZS7aHxCu2P1G6SvreQCqHtvOA4dTHp53J-OwTon~ZKIZP85ieXVabUVbouwJN4lqrMDEiPsugtCPTB8g7tACasNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A volunteer Funding Review Advisory Committee convened at the request of the mayor’s office, Columbus City Council and county commissioners to study how the region can address gaps in funding for arts, human services and tourism, panelists said at a Columbus Metropolitan Club forum held at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

Panelists warned that private philanthropy, while significant, cannot substitute for shrinking public dollars. “Together, [our members] hold about $50,000,000,000 in assets right now,” Megan Cummings, president and CEO of Philanthropy Ohio, said of philanthropy organizations she represents. “But philanthropy cannot plug the hole. We don't have enough zeros in those assets to plug the hole.”

The committee, which panelist Sandy Doyle Ahern said she chairs, is charged with recommending regional approaches and private‑sector participation. “This is a group of people who are volunteers who have been asked by the mayor’s office and city council and the county commissioners to come together and think about what we can do as a region to fill some significant gaps,” Ahern said. She noted the work is likely to be contentious: “I already accepted the chair knowing I'm gonna piss everybody off.”

Why it matters: speakers said recent and sudden cuts to federal and state streams — including Medicaid and SNAP reductions mentioned during the forum — are increasing demand for nonprofit services with little runway to adjust. Cummings said foundations are receiving more requests than ever and are exploring options such as temporarily increasing spending rates to get more money into communities.

Panelists emphasized cross‑sector partnerships as the best path forward. “If we're trying to solve any problem without all of our resources at the table, we're crazy,” Cummings said, urging cooperation among foundations, corporations and government. Dr. Frederick Birtley, president and CEO of COSI and interim CEO of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, described how partnerships enable scale: COSI’s Science Festival runs four days each May, staging 110 events across Franklin and adjacent counties and working with “over 200 partners” to produce a Saturday “Big Science Celebration” that is not confined to the museum building.

Speakers also cited long‑running local efforts that required sustained collaboration: the announcement linking Columbus State and Ohio State, they said, was the product of about 15 years of work and the earlier Columbus Promise initiative.

Public input and next steps: Ahern and other panelists stressed that the committee is working regionally and encouraged public participation. The committee will hold an open forum on Oct. 7 for residents and sector representatives to share needs and ideas.

The session contained no formal votes or policy actions; panelists framed the committee as a volunteer advisory body that will make recommendations to government officials and other partners.","At a Columbus Metropolitan Club forum, panelists urged cross‑sector partnerships and warned that philanthropy alone cannot replace public funding cuts. A volunteer Funding Review Advisory Committee, chaired by Sandy Doyle Ahern, will hold an open forum on Oct. 7 to gather public input.","actionData","errors"]

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Panelists advise small nonprofits to use partners, pro bono services and storytelling to expand reach

Panel urges daily civic engagement, civility and voting at Columbus Metropolitan Club forum

Regional funding review committee to weigh support as panel warns philanthropy can’t plug looming gaps