How You Can Help
Get involved to become a powerful force for good in central Ohio.
Make Your Moment. Help us Fight Poverty.
The need in our community is
huge and growing.
The surest way to address the need and effect change is through donations. That’s how you can show your support for the work you feel passionate about. We invite you to give to our Community Impact Fund, the most powerful way to improve lives and strengthen our community, or to designate funds for a specific cause. However you choose to contribute, you can be sure that your hard-earned dollars will impact the greatest needs in our community, because they’re collected with other gifts and directed to programs doing the most to make a difference. (We know because we evaluate the impact of our funded programs every year).
Be Informed and be Vocal
Effective change requires increased awareness. You can help increase awareness in our community by making your voice heard for the causes and issues that matter most to you.
Volunteer
Whether reading to children, stocking shelves at a food pantry or delivering meals to home-bound seniors, there are many volunteer opportunities available in central Ohio every day. We’re excited to announce that we now partner with Besa to connect you with local opportunities in our community.
Learn more below.
Volunteers are vital to the strength and mission of United Way of Central Ohio, as well as to the strength of our community. We know that in order to create opportunities for a better life for all, we have to mobilize and engage individuals, businesses and organizations.
Join us and become a powerful force for good today!
LEADERS UNITED:
Leading the way for a more equitable community
Leaders United emerged from United Way of Central Ohio’s historic affinity groups. Prior to the creation of Leaders United, individuals could join different leadership giving groups based on identities including gender, race, age or LGBTQ+ identity.
Leaders United creates a more inclusive and diverse community by allowing our donors who might identify as more than one of the aforementioned categories to meet together in one place in support of community. The transformation into Leaders United enhances and enriches events, discussions and connectivity with individuals passionate about the community and United Way’s mission. The group engages a wide range of leaders and encourages intentional collaborations to address common goals.
As a member of Leaders United, donors can contribute to creating positive change in central Ohio, while participating in networking, education and special projects aligned with diversity, equity and inclusivity. Leaders United supports initiatives and events that promote impact, connection and philanthropy.
Membership is open to individuals or households who contribute to United Way’s Community Response Fund or impact areas. Registration is automatic for eligible individuals who give through a workplace campaign or make individual gifts.
WHY JOIN LEADERS UNITED?
Join this group of passionate change leaders to create an impact in our community. Leaders United is the primary group of leaders and ambassadors of United Way, working to identify and support critical initiatives.
This powerful network of leaders represents a wide variety of age groups, backgrounds, workplaces and interests, who are all committed to making central Ohio an even better place to live, work and play. Members invest their time and treasure to help create a more equitable community.
Benefits of Leaders United Membership:
• Access valuable opportunities for professional and personal growth
• Experience inclusive networking events with professionals who are dedicated to their community
• Engage in impactful volunteer events that make a difference
• Work alongside influential community and civic leaders to create positive change
Leaders United can help you make a positive impact on our community by supporting a platform for educating and developing the next generation of leadership volunteers and advocates for change. You’ll receive regular Leaders United emails with information on opportunities to lead and participate in diverse, equitable and inclusive networking, community education events and special projects designed with Leaders United members in mind.
Join us. Together we can make a difference.
For more information, questions or to get involved with Leaders United, contact Robert Fournier at 614.227.2763 or Robert.Fournier@uwcentralohio.org.
Community Builders – $1,000 to $4,999:
Supporters Dedicated to Strengthening Our Community
Community Builders is a leadership giving program for individuals and households who contribute $1,000 to $4,999 annually to United Way of Central Ohio. As a member of Community Builders, you are a part of a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to bringing positive change to our local community.
You play a vital role in ensuring that everyone in central Ohio can reach their full potential. By addressing the building blocks of a strong community, including quality education, sufficient income, good health and safe housing, we can make an impact that creates lasting change. Together, our actions and donations are amplified, making a significant difference for individuals and families today and for future generations.
Cinquefoil Fellowship – $5,000 to $9,999:
Community Leaders Passionate About Creating Change
Cinquefoil Fellowship is a leadership giving program for individuals and households who contribute $5,000 to $9,999 annually to United Way of Central Ohio. The Cinquefoil Fellowship brings together leaders who are dedicated to creating a stronger, more equitable community for everyone. Grounded in appreciation, recognition, education, advocacy and inclusion, Cinquefoil Fellowship gives members opportunities to demonstrate their dedication to the community and their commitment to providing opportunities for all individuals to reach their fullest potential.
As a member, you can engage in various activities and networking events throughout the year to deepen your understanding of United Way’s work in the community. You will have the chance to interact with influential business and community leaders, connect with others who share a dedicated vision of creating equal opportunities for everyone, and participate in advocacy initiatives that contribute to making central Ohio a better place to live.
Alongside their impactful contributions, Cinquefoil members are able to network with like-minded individuals who share their belief in equal opportunities for everyone. Join the Cinquefoil Fellowship and help shape a brighter future for central Ohio.
Tocqueville Society – $10,000 and Over:
Central Ohio’s Most Generous Philanthropic Leaders
By making annual gifts of at least $10,000, Tocqueville Society members play a vital role in creating a lasting impact in our community. As a member, you have the opportunity to build relationships with like-minded local leaders, receive exclusive event invitations, direct charitable investments for maximum impact, access volunteer and leadership opportunities, and join a network that changes the lives of thousands of our neighbors. With six levels of investment and unique benefits, including national recognition, the Tocqueville Society offers a pathway for individuals to make a difference at various levels of giving. Join us today, and together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those we serve.
Benefits of Membership:
• Recognition for your commitment to positive community change
• Invitations to exclusive events and volunteering opportunities
• Joining a community of individuals who share the same values and goals
• Contributing to the strength and resilience of our community for a better future
A planned gift is a unique and personal opportunity to have a lasting impact on your community and the issues that matter most to you.
United Way of Central Ohio invites you to make the ultimate investment in your community by arranging for a planned gift to United Way. A planned gift to United Way will help strengthen families and build a stronger, more equitable community for generations to come. You are also inspiring others to make a lasting impact, creating a ripple effect of positive change that extends far beyond your initial contribution.
Donors also reap benefits from making a planned gift to United Way of Central Ohio. Not only do you build a legacy for yourself and your family, you can reduce your taxes, see an increase in your income, fulfill your charitable goals and reap great personal satisfaction in seeing your desires carried forth into the future.
Become a Member of the Rainbow Chasers Legacy Society
By including United Way in your estate plans, you will join other visionary leaders as a member of our Rainbow Chasers Legacy Society. Established in 2023, following a transformational gift from the Tad and Nancy Jeffrey Fund to support our endowment, this recognition opportunity honors donors who are deeply committed to the futures of both our organization and our community.
Nancy Jeffrey was the first woman to serve as campaign chair for our United Way in 1972. She then became the first woman elected to lead United Way’s board of trustees in 1976. The name Rainbow Chasers was chosen by the Jeffrey children and was inspired by a picture that hung over Nancy’s desk since the 1970s. The drawing dubbed Nancy and her team of fundraisers as Rainbow Chasers, in admiration of their dedication to and persistence in inspiring others to join them in helping those in need in the community.
As a member of our Rainbow Chasers Legacy Society, you will receive specialized communications, timely updates on the impact of our work and personalized opportunities to connect with our leadership to plan for your gift’s realization.
Donors who make a planned gift to United Way of Central Ohio have many options available to implement this transaction. You can make an outright gift from appreciated assets, through a bequest, with a life insurance policy, through a trust, retirement plans or an annuity. These are but a few of the many avenues available. We encourage you to work with your legal or financial adviser in making a planned gift, but United Way can also provide assistance.
Planned Giving: It assures the future of United Way and what matters most to you.
To discuss planned giving options, contact Mary Birchard at Mary.Birchard@uwcentralohio.org or 614.227.2708.
Your legacy can support central Ohio not just today but for years to come. Many of our supporters have included a gift to United Way of Central Ohio in their estate plans to make a lasting impact at no cost today. To create your legacy, we invite you to use FreeWill: an online estate planning tool that makes it 100% free to write your will and designate United Way of Central Ohio as a beneficiary of your legacy. Create your legacy here.
Your Giving Becomes a Powerful Force for Good (with Tax Benefits and Flexibility)
A Donor Advised Fund, which is like a charitable savings account, gives you the flexibility to recommend how much and how often money is granted to United Way of Central Ohio and other organizations. Your fund has the potential to grow tax-free in an investment option, ready to support your next philanthropic mission when the moment is right for you.
If you include United Way in your plans, please use our legal name and federal tax ID.
Legal name: United Way of Central Ohio
Address: 215 N. Front Street, Suite 600, Columbus, OH 43215
Federal tax ID number: 31-4393712
For information about Donor Advised Funds, talk to a trusted financial advisor or visit https://columbusfoundation.org/donors/types-of-funds/donor-advised-funds.
For additional information on connecting your DAF to United Way of Central Ohio, contact Mary Birchard at Mary.Birchard@uwcentralohio.org or 614.227.2708.
Invest in Central Ohio’s Future with United Way Life
United Way Life uses an affordable guaranteed life insurance policy. With a modest out-of-pocket cost, you can create a substantial gift that will make an impact in our community forever. With just five annual tax-deductible premium payments to United Way of Central Ohio, the policy is fully paid. Both the premiums and the death benefit are guaranteed to fulfill your gift intent.
Working through a national partnership, United Way Life identifies highly rated best-in-class insurance carriers and constantly searches the market for the greatest value for your charitable dollars. The team at United Way Worldwide will assist you every step of the way, ensuring confidential handling of your information and arranging all required underwriting processes with program partners.
Once premium amounts are determined, they are guaranteed and do not change over the five years. And with United Way of Central Ohio named as the owner and beneficiary of the policy, you receive a tax deduction for each of your five annual premium payments.
The addition of a United Way Life policy also may qualify you for membership in one or more of United Way’s giving groups, or you can use it to step up to the next level of giving over a short period of time, while enjoying membership benefits immediately.
Complete this form to get your free quote today, or to have someone contact you with more information! Or contact Mary Birchard at Mary.Birchard@uwcentralohio.org or 614.227.2708.
Persons wishing to use appreciated stock as settlement of their United Way pledge should check the box labeled “Stocks and Securities” on their pledge card and make sure to fill out the Home Address section of the form. The pledge will be logged as a Direct Bill pledge payable before the end of the following calendar year (i.e. – a pledge made in the fall of 2017 is due prior to 12-31-2018.)
When donating appreciated stock, the individual should transfer the stock(s) as described below before selling it. By doing this, the individual may be able to claim a charitable contribution in the amount of the average of the high and low stock price on the day of transfer to the United Way. He/she may also not have to pay any capital gains tax on the deposition of the stock.
Note: Only stock which has appreciated in value should be contributed directly to the United Way. If you are considering stock whose current selling price is below the purchase price, it would be advantageous for tax purposes to sell the stock first and contribute the proceeds after receiving the cash settlement, so that the individual may be entitled to the capital loss on the sale as well as the charitable donation for the cash paid to the United Way.
PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PERSONAL TAX ADVISOR BEFORE MAKING STOCK TRANSFER DONATION(S).
To transfer stock(s) or mutual fund(s) to the United Way:
1.) Please contact The United Way of Central Ohio at (614) 227-8703 or donorchoice@uwcentralohio.org and inform us of the transfer. We can also answer any questions that you may have.
- If your shares of stock are being held in a brokerage account they can be transferred electronically from your brokerage account to the United Way account. To transfer shares electronically, please provide your broker/brokerage firm with the following United Way account information:
United Way Account: 54H04150
Brokerage Firm: Merrill Lynch
Merrill Lynch DTC Number: 8862
Federal Tax ID: 31-4393712
Your brokerage firm can contact Merrill Lynch directly at (800)285-0648 for information regarding the transfer.
- If you have stock certificates in your possession, please call the above numbers and we will guide you on how to proceed. It is important that you not endorse the stock certificate itself. We will supply you with a separate stock power to use which will expedite the transaction and remove the need for you to have your endorsement certified before sending. You will need to send us the original stock certificate and the separate stock power for our processing. We recommend that these documents be sent separately by certified or registered mail for your protection. We will then sell the stock and give you credit for the average of the high and low stock price on the day you mailed or delivered the certificate.
2.) If you wish to transfer mutual funds, please contact Merrill Lynch at 614-342-6267 or 1-800-285-0648. They will be able to recommend the appropriate procedure to follow.
Our policy is to sell donated stock as quickly as possible after receiving the transfer. Once we receive the proceeds we will post the contribution to your account and send you an acknowledgment letter to serve as evidence of the value of your contribution for tax purposes. To ensure proper posting of stock payments, please ask your broker to provide your full name and address when funds are transferred.
Starting a workplace campaign is an ideal way for you and your co-workers to take a stand for your philanthropic values. Creating a culture of giving at work benefits your employees, your organization and our community.
When you partner with United Way of Central Ohio, you help improve the lives of everyone in our community —including your own.
We’re here for support.
Let us help you customize your campaign. Together, we’ll make it fun, productive and engaging, regardless of the size of your organization.
Call 614.227.2700. We’ll connect you with your personal United Way campaign manager so you can get started today.
Our work in the community is made possible by the generous support of individuals and business through monetary and in-kind donations. We would like to thank the following organizations and individuals for their generous in-kind support through the donation of goods, services or consulting expertise valued at $5,000 or more.
Consider an In-Kind Gift
In-kind product and service contributions help United Way of Central Ohio and our partner nonprofit organizations thrive by expanding resources, reducing overhead costs and helping increase efficiency. By making an in-kind donation, you can take pride in knowing your gifts have found a good home and made a real difference in our community.
If you’re an organization:
To coordinate an in-kind fundraiser, such as a school supply drive or clothing drive, or to make a large in-kind donation such as advertising/media placement or consulting services, please contact us and we will gladly help connect you to the right people, programs and agencies in our community.
We also welcome your in-kind donations of goods and services made directly to United Way of Central Ohio—such as gift cards, printing, catering services, office supplies, video production/editing. These generous donations allow us to do our work in central Ohio more efficiently and effectively.
Please contact and work with your organization’s United Way Relationship Manager. If you don’t have an assigned Relationship Manager, please contact Amie Grubbs at Amie.Grubbs@uwcentralohio.org.
If you’re an individual:
We can help you find a nonprofit agency home for your new and/or gently used household items or office equipment including household tools, gently used clothes and winter jackets, and office equipment including computers and printers. Please contact Amie Grubbs at Amie.Grubbs@uwcentralohio.org.
When you make an in-kind gift, you’re entitled to receive all the tax credits allowed by law. Please contact a tax professional for specific tax advice. United Way of Central Ohio gladly coordinates the donations of in-kind gifts among individuals, companies and non-profit organizations. We are not responsible for any damage or inconvenience encountered during an in-kind transaction.
United Way of Central Ohio now partners with Besa for unique volunteer opportunities!
You can be one of the first to learn about new volunteer opportunities by signing up for text messages! Text CONNECTED to 50503 today.
Check back here for upcoming volunteer opportunities!
We are led by a dedicated group of volunteers who give generously of their time and talents to create lasting change in our community. Here are a few tips to ensure you get the most of your volunteering experience:
Be Selective
Think about what matters to you, and be selective about where you spend your time. By choosing opportunities that make you feel good and also help others, you will help build stronger communities and enrich your own life at the same time.
Chose Carefully
United Way and community volunteer centers work with volunteers and local nonprofits to develop the best opportunities for youth, busy working adults and seniors to serve. When you work with your local United Way or Volunteer Center, you can feel confident about the quality of the opportunity you choose and about the organization you donate your time to support.
Research Causes That Are Important To You
Whether it’s helping children achieve their potential, helping families become financially stable, or improving people’s health, find out what cause is closest to your heart and make a difference.
Consider The Skills You Have To Offer
Would you like to write an agency’s newsletter? Or would you rather build a house? Find something you enjoy doing and enhance your skills through volunteering.
Volunteering can also teach you valuable new skills that you can use in other parts of your life. For example, learning how to handle crisis calls may help you communicate better.
Don’t Over Commit Your Schedule
Stick to a volunteering schedule that makes sense for you and leaves you time to enjoy the activity.
Consider Volunteering As A Family
Group volunteering is a wonderful way to bond with your family or co-workers; not only will you create lasting memories, but you will help someone in need.
Volunteering increases morale and spotlights a company that cares.
Whether it is important to you to solve a community problem, advance a worthy cause or to develop as a person, volunteering offers many benefits when you give of your time and expertise.
Volunteering with co-workers will help you develop insight into community needs and resources, while directly impacting your community’s quality of life.
For more information about volunteering with your company, please contact our volunteer engagement team at volunteer@uwcentralohio.org.
