The Columbus Area United Way is excited to announce that a current partner agency, Connect Columbus, will be merging with our organization--helping us make a bigger impact on our community.
On January 1, 2017, Connect Columbus will merge its services and operations with the Columbus Area United Way.
Incorporated in 1992 as the “Columbus Collaborative Team,” Connect Columbus was formed to improve accessibility, visibility and availability of services through networking and linkages between resources and families. In 2007, the agency changed its name to Connect Columbus and added a Volunteer Center.
Connect Columbus has been a strong partner of the United Way since its inception, and with the creation of Community Impact, the missions of our two organizations have become more closely aligned. Community Impact is a model that addresses root causes of problems individuals and families face by working closely with community partners to address solutions.
By combining forces, our organizations will be able to better share resources and training opportunities, as well as work together on community impact efforts. Incorporating the Volunteer Center as a United Way direct program will also better align with the mission of the United Way—following a similar trend among many other United Ways across the nation.
Connect Columbus will officially dissolve its 501(c)3 on December 31, 2016. Tammy Bichlmeier, Denise Kollath and Sue Hoge will become United Way employees on January 1, 2017.
Connect Columbus’s services and programs will be merged with those of the United Way. The joint staff will continue to maintain key community information including a directory of services and volunteer opportunities. Information formerly housed on the Connect Columbus website will be migrated over to the Columbus Area United Way website in January 2017.
If you have any questions about the merger of Connect Columbus with the Columbus Area United Way, please contact our Executive Director Pat Heimes at 402-564-5661.