CAMPAIGN IMPACT REPORT
In October, Harmony invited the people of Columbus and Franklin County to look beyond the stage—to see that our 500-voice chorus is only one part of a much larger mission and vision. The month-long campaign opened the doors of Harmony Center, our prisons, and our programs to show what happens when music, service, and belonging come together to change lives.
Opening Doors, Building Bridges
- Harmony Community Chorus: Open Rehearsals welcomed more than 300 guests into Harmony Center to watch the music come together and witness an intimate performance unlike anything Harmony has presented in its 16-year history.
- Prison Arts: Visitors stepped inside local prisons, witnessing our work firsthand. They left inspired and forever changed—seeing the men and women inside not as their past, but as their potential.
- Student Arts: Grew from 125 to 160 students in one week. Tuesdays have become known as “Harmony Day” at Columbus Global Academy and Columbus International High School—the highest-attendance day of the week at both schools. Recognizing the connection, school leaders made Monday attendance required for students to attend Harmony on Tuesdays. Now, both Mondays and Tuesdays boast the highest attendance of the week. Harmony’s Student Arts program will graduate 50 seniors in 2025—each one a voice for the future of belonging in our community.
- Community Arts: Adults with disabilities program joined The Big Table, adding their voices to vital community conversations about inclusion and belonging.
- Interlude: The grand opening of a new gallery space within the Harmony Center that provides representation for artists whose voices are too often unseen or unheard—people with disabilities, incarcerated individuals, and others whose work is underrepresented in traditional galleries.
GRAND OPENING
Encore: A Free Store, Fueled by Community
Harmony collected more than two tons of clothing and household goods for Encore, our new free store that launched November 3. Volunteers logged hundreds of hours cleaning, tagging, and completely renovating the space—a thoughtful makeover designed to bring dignity and style to the free-store experience.
In October, we also announced creative and collaborative partnerships with Wardrobe Therapy and Pursuit, two Columbus-based fashion and lifestyle companies that share our belief that confidence begins with belonging. Together, these partnerships are helping Encore elevate how the community gives and receives.
OCTOBER CAMPAIGN RESULTS
- Paid 35 local musicians and artists.
- Provided creative and affordable space for storage, rehearsals, and performances for Columbus Pride Bands and the Columbus Cultural Orchestra.
- Welcomed over 1,000 people into Harmony Center every week, providing space for countless rehearsals, performances, and services projects.
- Gained over 200,000 views across our social media channels, spreading stories of hope and connection far beyond the walls of Harmony Center.
- Continued building the support needed to keep the arts a force for dignity, inclusion, and community in Central Ohio.
Beyond The Stage was never about one event. It was about one idea: that Harmony’s greatest impact isn’t in performance—it’s in participation.
October proved that our mission resonates far beyond the spotlight. We were responsible during a time of challenge, resourceful in the face of change, and unwavering in our commitment to create spaces where everyone belongs.
EVENT SPONSORS
Lead Sponsor
Robert J. Weiler
Family Fund
Wolfe Family
Foundation
Wexner Family Fund
DiMarco Family Fund
Sue and Bill Eubanks
Nancy and Don Kelley
Lisa and Pat Kelley
Peggy Kelley
M/I Homes
Anne Valentine and Kent Thompson
Karen and Rick Milenthal Philanthropic Fund
Kitty and Jim Soldano
American Electric Power Foundation
Robert Schottenstein and Jeri Block
Champion Sponsor
Robert and Clemy Keidan Philanthropic Fund
Cathe Kobacker
Diane Lemay
Donatos
Community Sponsor
Jay and Meredith Crane Family Fund
Marilyn and Roger Friedman
DeeDee and Herbert Glimcher Philanthropic Fund
Deb Ohler
Lee Shackelford
Partner Sponsor
Mike Born
COCIC- Franklin County Bank
Hugh Crowell
Lynne and Scott Goldberg
Leslie Mihalov
Bill Pearsol and Margie Whitis
Julie and Jay Sanford
Advocate Sponsor
David Alden
Pam Beattie
Jackie Burns
John Burtch
Christina Corl
Cramer and Associates
Sherri Geldin
Bruce Goldsmith and Fran Sevel-Goldsmith
Shelley and Harvey Handler
Nancy Heller
Marcia and Bob Hershfield
Elenita and Mike Irwin
Tom and Mary Katzenmeyer
Hal Keller
Alison McArthur
Bonnie and David Milenthal
Josh Schottenstein
Candi Shoor
Nina and Rob Stroup
Debi and Jon Sutherland
Jesse Taylor
Leslie and Nick Vollman
John and Beth Weinhardt
Individual Supporters
Rebecca Asmo
Daniel Baker
Jim Barlow
Susan Beaudry
Susie and Marvin Blank
Penny Masters Boes
Nancy Brower
Karen Brown
Judi Bruce
Lynda and Steve Burger
Diana Butts
Jessie Cannon
Maureen Casamassimo
Annette Chambers-Smith
Clara Copeland
Ellen Crouthamel
Jack D’Aurora
Nichele Despas
Theresa Diserio
Marilyn Berry DuFour
Julie Fishman
Maxine Gilgoff
Kate and Galen Graham
Terrance Hinton
Sue Jones
Jerry Kassoy
Jody Katzner
Sue Keister
Nan Klempnauer
Michael Kontras
DeAnne Krouse
Lori Linder
Frank Lolli
Andrew Lynch
Erin Maldonado
John McCandless
Rose-Marie McCormick
Marcia Miller and Kevin Eigel
Vicki Morris
Nancy and Lee Nathans
Dan O’Connor
Barbara Poppe
Christine Porter
Pamela Pospisil
Rebecca Rose
Renda Ross
Sally Rudmann
Dan Sharpe
Susan Steinman and Larry Moses
Joyce Taggert
Carla Toplak
Sheila Torch
Cathy and John Tucker
Piers Turner
Lois and Spike Tyler
Lorene Ward
Jill Welch
Alfred Yates