Columbus Gives Back is a volunteering-focused non-profit organization whose emphasis is on not only giving back to the city we love but also on fostering connectedness with and among our volunteers. CGB is founded on and guided by eight core values: service, compassion, inclusivity, building community, unique, adaptability, integrity, fostering servant leadership. Our mission is to provide social volunteer and philanthropic opportunities for young professionals and to create a culture of community engagement to connect people to central Ohio.
Help CGB reach its goal of 2,000 events by signing up to volunteer today!
The heart of Columbus Gives back is our leadership team. Meet our team below and learn more about CGB’s history!
Board
Diana Yates
Board President
Columbus Gives Back
Kylissa Cox
Board Member, Finance + Fundraising
Columbus Gives Back
Monisa Mason
Board Member, Outreach + Partnerships
Columbus Gives Back
Maggie Wagner
Board Member, Website + Communications
Columbus Gives Back
Alfred Yates
Board Member, Nonprofit Partnerships + Events
Columbus Gives BackEvent Leaders
Farnoush Amiri
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Stephanie Barnes
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Bennett Coltman
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Jon Conaway
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Michelle Davidson
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Jordann Dillard
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Okon Ekpenyong
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Jamaal Henry
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Doug Hermanson
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Miranda Hutchings
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Mackenzie Jones
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Karen Phouth
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
David Ratcliff
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Richard Sanders
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Devin Taylor
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Kara Vasil
Event Leader
Columbus Gives BackHow it All Began
Columbus Gives Back is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, providing about 30-40 social volunteer events per month throughout central Ohio. We’re proud to partner with over 150 local organizations.
In 2009, Juilana Pernick Hardymon made a New Years Resolution to start volunteering again. When realizing how difficult this process could be, she dreamed of a volunteer organization with more ease and flexibility.
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And so, Columbus Gives Back was born.
Juliana posted the very first event on Craigslist to make dinner for the Unverferth House. To her surprise, ten volunteers showed up, had a great time, and went to their first social twist at Hamptons on King.
As CGB grew, so did the model.
In December 2011, Joe Geissler stepped in as the new president and helped create the first true executive board. He also greatly increased the number of events provided per month.
In July 2014, Caroline Chao took charge and continued CGB’s mission while constantly recruiting new volunteers. Amanda Shafer became president in March of 2017, expanding the executive board to 7 members and helping us to become an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Caleb Miller led us throughout 2019, which is also the year CGB celebrated ten years this March. Diana Yates stepped up to the President plate in January of 2020.
In 2018, we led our 1,000th event. In 2020, we will hit 2,000, and are volunteering with more of our community than ever before.
And we’re just getting started. 💙#cbusgivesback
