I have purchased multiple pieces from Brandt Roberts Gallery. Michelle, Christine and Colleen are…read moretrue professionals making each experience personal and professional. Any collector will tell you "art is personal" and Michelle and her staff remember each piece I have purchased, why I was drawn to the piece and even arranged opportunities for me to meet my favorite artists. Brandt Robert's makes the process of acquiring art for your space enjoyable and exciting. I give Brandt Roberts my highest recommendation and wish them nothing but continued success in the future.

My partner Chad and I have great experiences with Michelle and the entire team at Brandt-Roberts…read more They have done custom frames for us for several photographs and original paintings. We also really appreciate the sense of community that BRG is building with their artist receptions. We've certainly benefitted from the insights and inspirations at their openings and events. And of course it's always a pleasure to stop in during Gallery Hop!

This crisp industrial building is a perfect backdrop for gatherings, events, and connecting with…read morethe community. The roominess of the accessible space is afforded by lofted ceilings in both of the large gathering areas. The front area offers a few tabletop and lounge seating arrangements flanked by gallery art and a generous open air kitchen with large Island. The back room has a high-top bar to the side and a generous floor space and stage for live music and readings. Columbus is lucky to have a space like this accessible to our community and vibrant arts scene.

We stopped into Wild Goose Creative during Franklinton Friday. We accidentally passed it the first…read moretime we walked by because we were so distracted by looking at the art on display in the tents and the performance art taking place. Happily, we noticed the space with its large door open on our next pass and we popped into view an interesting comics exhibit. They had a nice art activity set up on a stage in the corner, which a number of kids were enjoying. The space is nice - very high ceilings make it feel pretty roomy. The staff at the desk were very welcoming and helpful.

Since 1977, Columbus Landmarks Foundation has been rallying to preserve and protect Columbus's…read morearchitectural history, of which I am a huge advocate. It is a non-profit organization, so their funding comes by way of membership, tours and special events. The CLF offers some wonderful guided tours of various aspects of the city. The walking tours are fair-priced, ranging from $7 to $15 and focus on unique little corners of the city, such as "Iuka Ravine Historic District - Urban Nature at its Grandest," "Clintonville - A Tapestry of Amazing Streets" and "The Original Haunted Columbus Walking Tour." If you are new to Columbus, this is a nice way to learn about your new neighborhood. Check their website for a list of upcoming tours. They tend to offer one or two per week, particularly in the warmer months.

In a Halloween-y mood last fall, I signed up for Columbus Landmarks Foundation's Gables, Gargoyles…read moreand Ghosts bus tour. After two hours of cruising Columbus hearing about history, hauntings, and landmarks, I was hooked! I signed up for another tour the very next weekend. The Landmarks Foundation has a noble goal (historic preservation and rehabilitation), which it accomplishes through advocacy, events, and education. I am from Columbus, and had no idea of the rich history of our city until I started attending CLF's events. I highly recommend checking out one of their tours to find out more about Columbus neighborhoods and history.

Had to take this opportunity to give a shout - out to this wonderful community philanthropic…read moreorganization! Not only do they do an incredible job in bringing our community together for the greater good in events such as The Big Give but they also have offered community days to allow people to attend other local businesses for free which opens up a whole new world for those that would otherwise not be possible.

There are 2 distinct views I hold of United Way. They are the before I volunteered with them - and…read moreafter. aka the ignorant one and the knowledgeable one. Before - I thought they were useless and likely highly overstaffed and paid. But then, I heard a recipient of one of their programs and services speak to how her life had been changed. She spoke of her prior life consumed with addition, homelessness and unemployability. Through the services of the United Way - and specifically a program called E3 - she had turned her life around. She had earned a degree, got clean, and would find out later that day - she was hired by our company. I saw so moved that I joined that United Way affinity group that runs the E3 program that very day. Around the same time, I heard that VITA was looking for volunteers - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance - a program I had volunteered with while in Law School. I agreed to give it a try and catch up with the tax changes that had evolved in the 20+ years since I last did VITA. Soonafter getting trained, I learned VITA was another United Way program. Through my ongoing membership and leadership roles, as well as my volunteerism, I've come to learn about the mission of United Way to eliminate poverty. This sparked an interest in me to learn more - so I've intentionally listened to, read, and attended all kinds of programs providing information on poverty - causes, effects, proliferation within our systems, efforts to reduce and eliminate, etc. And in the center of it all is the United Way and its funded partners. At one time, United Way was just a way to donate to charitable causes through workplace payroll withholding. Now it's the connector of so many organizations which serve our community and strive to reduce and eliminate poverty. If you want to do more than just give - they have all kinds of volunteer opportunities. I highly recommend you check them out and learn all about their programs and successes!

I've been doing a lot of volunteer work with United Way of Central Ohio for the past 2 years, so I…read morefind myself there about twice a month. Since my first visit to the facility, what I find really helpful is the easy on and off expressway access and the off the street parking. Those two aspects make it so easy to get to the building and be on my way. When you get in the building, you'll immediately notice that it's very colorful and there are plenty of diverse faces that decorate the halls and walls. I appreciate that as well because it demonstrates to me how important diversity is to the organization. Since it's a secure building in downtown Columbus, there's no ability to wonder in and roam around, but the staff are always very helpful and ensure you find the right person to assist you in what you're searching for. Since I'm there fairly often, I would love it if the added an unsecure or public wireless network so that I can use my laptop online during meeting -- which would be really helpful in some instances. Other than that, I encourage you to check out United Way of Central Ohio and see some of the awesome ways you can get involved in your community.

My first experience with Columbus Gives Back was working with the group as a nonprofit partner. I…read morewas in need of volunteers for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, a 5K walk. The leadership was great at communicating throughout the recruitment process. At the event, all staff members who worked with the volunteers loved doing so and the volunteers had great feed back too. I've also had the pleasure of volunteering myself. I love that the group offers a variety of organizations to become involved with. The flexibility has provided me a volunteer experience that works with my schedule. The other volunteers have always been wonderful and I know I'll continue to volunteer and recommend to friends. Thanks to Columbus Gives Back!

I can't even begin to describe how much volunteering with Columbus Gives Back has changed my…read moreinvolvement in Central Ohio. I have made legitimate friendships and had meaningful volunteering experiences. Sometimes, you just need to do something for someone else and CGB is an easy way to connect to volunteering events in the Columbus area. My favorite events locations include Meals on Wheels with LifeCare Alliance and the YWCA Family Center. Not only has CGB helped me help out the community, but I've had a chance to try some amazing restaurants with the volunteers after the events. I would highly recommend volunteering with this group if you're looking to meet people and do something good in the Columbus area.

CRC is a non profit that offers services and resources to the local community, including family,…read moresenior and youth services. They host an annual Doughnut Yoga fundraising event. There was a nice turnout and the class was a lot of fun. After the class, we were treated to Rose Dough doughnuts and cold brew coffee. It was a great way to start the weekend. Thanks to all the sponsors!

It went well ONE TIME! When there was a lady behind the desk. Not when the guy came tho. The lady…read moregave me a $50 gas card to help me get out of town and then another man showed me where I could get free food. Nobody helped direct me on counseling services for the LGBTQ+ who have been in a Domestic Violent Relationship. And end up homeless after paying for half the stuff and taking care of a $550,000 home right in my own community on Erie Rd where I would walk w my chihuahua and short hair pointer to the park of Roses and back home. I don't know what in the world is going on. I thought this establishment cared about the LGBTQ+ community. It has signs up that says all are welcome. Welp. It's not true! I mean. It's definitely better resources than we get on the West Side. Over here everyone just wants us not to exist in life.

International Friendships or IFI as we call it is an incredible Christian nonprofit organization…read morethat helps international students with many practical needs, as well as provides a way for them to explore Christianity and the Bible. IFI partners with many volunteers in the community who desire to show love and hospitality to international students.