Annual State of Nonprofits: The Future of Funding Good Work

When communities face urgent challenges—from housing instability and food insecurity to family crisis—nonprofits often respond first and stay the longest. Yet many organizations are being asked to do more while navigating outdated funding systems, delayed reimbursements, and growing financial pressures. This week, leaders from philanthropy, government, and the nonprofit sector explore how funding models can evolve to better support the organizations that help communities thrive. What would it look like to fund nonprofit work in ways that are more flexible, responsive, and sustainable? And what role do government, philanthropy, businesses, and community partners play in making a better future possible? Featuring: Lindsay Baker, Vice President and Director of Philanthropy and Engagement - Central Ohio, The Huntington National Bank Emmalyn Jerome, CEO, Lower Lights Ministries Hannah Jones, Deputy Director, Department of Development, City of Columbus Phil Washburn, President & CEO, The Furniture Bank of Central Ohio The host is Sheldon K. Johnson, Executive Director, Partners Achieving Community Transformation (PACT). The presenting sponsors of this forum are The Columbus Foundation, Huntington Bank, and Nationwide. This forum is also sponsored by Bath & Body Works, Benefactor Group, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Cramer & Associates, Encova Insurance, Installed Building Products, and Mollard Consulting. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream is The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC’s livestream partner is The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum. If you would like to keep exploring this week’s forum topic, our partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy: Unlocking the Full Potential of a Vital and Complex Sector by Vu Le (2026). This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on June 17, 2026. Content Use Notice This program is produced and recorded by the Columbus Metropolitan Club. CMC publishes recordings of its civic forums to promote informed public dialogue and public access to important community conversations. All video and audio content produced by the Columbus Metropolitan Club is provided for personal viewing and non-commercial use. Educational, media, documentary, broadcast, conference, or commercial reuse of this content requires prior written permission from the Columbus Metropolitan Club. For licensing or permission inquiries, please contact: [email protected] Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution of this content for commercial purposes is prohibited. © Columbus Metropolitan Club