Find Charitable Events in 2022 in Central Ohio
To share information about your 2023 charitable events, send an email to [email protected].
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Ongoing
The Big Ask/The Big Give
Benefiting: National Kidney Foundation Serving Central Ohio
Location: Virtual
Tickets: Free
Type of event: Virtual
Finding a Living Donor is a free, two-hour webinar designed to help kidney patients who are on the waiting list for a transplant find a living donor. Open to kidney patients, family members, friends and potential living donors, this workshop will provide interactive education about living donation and transplant and teach the best, most effective strategies and tips for finding a living donor. 614-882-6184 ext. 821, nkfohio.org
37th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Breakfast (Jan. 17)
Benefiting: Martin Luther King Breakfast Committee, Inc.
Location: Virtual
Tickets: $25 general admission; sponsorship and advertising opportunities available
Type of event: Virtual
Attend the popular, memorable Columbus flagship Martin Luther King Jr. Day event to honor the memory of Dr. King. This year’s featured keynote speaker will be Kristina M. Johnson, Ph.D., 16th president of the Ohio State University. Proceeds will support scholarship funds to Morehouse College (Dr. King’s alma mater) as well as The King Arts Complex. 614-863-6442, mlkjrbreakfast.com
Learning Through a Lifetime Gala (Jan. 20)
Benefiting: Columbus Early Learning Centers
Location: Online
Tickets: $125
Type of event: Virtual
Columbus Early Learning Centers’ mission is to help young learners develop, families succeed and neighborhoods thrive. Since 1887, CELC has provided education and care to children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old, the most critical period of a person’s life, through year-round, all-day programming and home visiting. 614-253-5525, ext. 204, celc2022gala.eventbrite.com (Note: This event was changed to a virtual event after the print edition of this calendar was published.)
Raise a Racket to End HPV-Related Cancers (Jan. 22)
Benefiting: The Diane Crawford Cervical Cancer Research, Education, Outreach Fund at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
Location: Wickertree Tennis Club, 5760 Maple Canyon Dr., Columbus, and Little Turtle Golf Club, 5400 Little Turtle Way W, Westerville
Tickets: TBD
Type of event: In-person
Raise A Racket has raised $250,000 in eight years to support cervical cancer education, awareness, research and outreach programs. The funds raised will be used to support our expanded mission to end HPV-related cancers, including development of educational materials and seminars that address the HPV epidemic. thecrawfordcrew.org
Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA Legacy Celebration (Feb. 1)
Benefiting: YMCA of Central Ohio
Location: TBD
Tickets: TBD
Type of event: TBD
The Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA is a historic center serving Columbus’ Near East Side, continuing a 100-plus-year tradition of strengthening community. Funds raised at this annual celebration support year-round operations to enrich the lives of local children, from summer camp to teen leadership experiences and more. 614-389-3544, ymcacolumbus.org/ward
Dancing with Our Stars Gala (Feb. 5)
Benefiting: Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio
Location: Archie M. Griffin Ballroom at the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St.
Tickets: $100
Type of event: In-person
The Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio is the leading source of information, support and referral assistance to more than 5,000 people with Down syndrome, their families and the community professionals who serve them, throughout 23 counties in Central and Southern Ohio. Funds raised at the gala will support families in their pursuit of discovering a lifetime of opportunities for their loved one with Down syndrome. 614-263-6020, dsaco.net
JCC Gala (Feb. 5)
Benefiting: JCC of Greater Columbus
Location: JCC, 1125 College Ave.
Tickets: TBD
Type of event: In-person
The JCC is a hub of community activity and engagement for physical, mental and social wellness, serving families and individuals from all backgrounds. This annual gala fundraiser supports ongoing programming and reduces financial barriers to participation in early childhood education, summer camp and youth-based programs. 614-231-2731, columbusjcc.org
Opera Columbus Annual Gala (Feb. 17)
Benefiting: Opera Columbus
Location: Ohio History Connection, 800 E. 17th Ave.
Tickets: TBD
Type of event: In-person
Opera Columbus is out to refresh—to breathe new life into—the way opera is performed and presented. This gala fundraiser helps the organization stay a vibrant and active member of the community. 614-461-8101 or 614-719-6614, operacolumbus.org
Buckeye Cruise for Cancer (Feb. 17–22)
Benefiting: The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
Location: Labadee, Haiti (private island) and CoCoCay, Bahamas
Tickets: Package pricing varies
Type of event: In-person
The annual cruise sets sail with a ship full of Buckeye greats and fans in support of the Urban and Shelley Meyer Fund for Cancer Research. 614-792-6204, buckeyecruise.com
Menu of Hope (Feb. 22)
Benefiting: Children’s Hunger Alliance
Location: Hyatt Regency Ballroom Columbus, 350 N. High St., and streaming statewide
Tickets: See below
Type of event: Virtual and in-person
Over 700,000—or 1 in 4—children in Ohio struggle with hunger. Children’s Hunger Alliance, in collaboration with community and corporate partners, helps provide millions of meals each year to children in need. To discuss patronage opportunities, contact Cindi Marshall, [email protected]. 614-737-3756, childrenshungeralliance.org
Rockin’ to Beat Leukemia (Feb. 26)
Benefiting: Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research Pilot Program Fund at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
Location: Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Dr.
Tickets: TBD
Type of event: In-person
This event was created in memory of Lauryn “Lu” Oliphant, who lost her battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in May 2016 at the age of 17. Lu was known for her warm sense of humor and gentle spirit. She had a deep love for music and enjoyed singing in the choir and playing her guitar. lumemorialfund.com
SPRING, Date TBD
Celebration for Life
Benefiting: The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
Location: Smith & Wollensky, 4145 The Strand W, Easton Town Center
Tickets: $2,500
Type of event: In-person
Celebration for Life is an annual event chaired by Judy and Steve Tuckerman to benefit The James Fund for Life, an annual fund established by Abigail and Les Wexner. cancer.osu.edu/celebrationforlife
CMA Comes Alive
Benefiting: Columbus Museum of Art
Location: Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St.
Tickets: TBD
Type of event: In-person
Columbus Museum of Art comes alive with fun and inspiring experiences for the whole family to enjoy together, including a collaborative Lego construction build, a dance party and art-making for all ages. 614-221-6801, columbusmuseum.org
Short North Gala
Benefiting: Short North Alliance
Location: TBD
Tickets: TBD
Type of event: TBD
The Short North Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves the property and business owners of the Short North Arts District and surrounding area. Funds raised benefit the area’s public art, events, safe and clean services, and inclusion, diversity, equity and access initiatives. 614-299-8050, shortnorth.org/gala
Step Up for Stefanie’s Champions
Benefiting: Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
Location: Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center, 1145 Olentangy River Rd.
Tickets: TBD
Type of event: Virtual and in-person
This is a family-friendly 4-mile/1-mile walk or run. A program celebrates champions in the lives of survivors prior to the start. go.osu.edu/stepup
A Capital Valentine (March 4)
Benefiting: Ohio Cancer Research
Location: Hilton Columbus at Easton, 3900 Chagrin Dr.
Tickets: TBD
Type of event: In-person
Ohio Cancer Research is an independent, statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to the cure and prevention of cancer and the reduction of its debilitating effects through seed money that is funded for groundbreaking new ideas in cancer research. Individual researchers have been funded throughout the state of Ohio, including researchers at Ohio State University and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. 614-224-1127, ohiocancer.org
Spirit of Hope Gala (March 5)
Benefiting: Catholic Social Services
Location: Walter Commons, St. Charles Preparatory School, 2010 E. Broad St., Bexley