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Council approves $2 million city contribution to Furniture Bank capital campaign
Summary
Council authorized a capital contribution to support Furniture Bank of Central Ohio’s plan to build a larger warehouse and client service center to increase annual capacity from roughly 4,000 to 6,000 families served.
Columbus City Council approved an ordinance authorizing city support for the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio’s capital expansion, including a $2,000,000 city contribution earmarked for construction of a new warehouse and renovated client service center.
Department staff explained the Furniture Bank’s capital campaign seeks roughly $9.5 million in private philanthropic support to develop a 50,000-plus square-foot warehouse and improved client spaces. Council committee members noted that greater warehousing capacity will allow the nonprofit to double its annual service capacity from about 4,000 families to an estimated 6,000 families and to streamline volunteer operations and furniture production.
Christine Mills, representing the Furniture Bank, told council the expanded facility will enable the organization to consolidate operations, increase volunteer capacity, and deliver furniture and household goods that help families stabilize housing and daily life. Council members praised the nonprofit’s role in supporting households entering permanent housing and approved the capital contribution ordinance in committee and on the floor.
Ending: The department will execute grant and transfer agreements per the ordinance language and monitor deployment of funds; council’s approval allows the Furniture Bank and partners to move into construction and expanded operations planning.
