Member Spotlight: Groundwork Ohio

Member Spotlight by [Groundwork Ohio]

Provide us with a brief summary of your business’ services

Groundwork Ohio is a committed, nonpartisan public-policy research and advocacy organization formed in 2004 that champions high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies from the prenatal period to age 5, that lay a strong foundation for Ohio kids, families, and communities. Our work spans movement-building initiatives, policy reform efforts, and promoting equitable outcomes for all children across the state.

Tell us about your company’s mission and values

Our vision is to make Ohio the best place to be a young child so that every child has the opportunity to thrive. Investing in the earliest years of life creates a strong foundation for lifelong success. We advance quality early childhood systems in Ohio by engaging, educating, and mobilizing diverse stakeholders and strategic partners to promote data-driven and evidence-based early childhood policies.

What are the services you use the most (or are looking forward to using) from the Columbus Chamber?

The Columbus Chamber of Commerce provides a valuable platform for collaboration and connection with organizations across Central Ohio. Our policy agenda reaches beyond families with young children—it has broad implications for the entire community, specifically the business sector. For example, access to affordable, high-quality child care is directly linked to workforce stability and economic productivity. Ohio’s economy suffers an estimated annual loss of $5.48 billion due to child care issues. When families struggle with child care, businesses feel the impact through employee absenteeism and higher turnover rates.

We’re eager to engage more deeply with business leaders and employers through the Chamber to understand the needs of working families and build a coalition unified behind investments that benefit Ohio’s youngest children and the economy. We’re also excited to explore opportunities for alignment with initiatives like the Women’s Collective, and to amplify efforts that activate the Columbus business community around shared goals.

How do you stay engaged with trends that you see in your industry?

Groundwork Ohio’s Business Coalition for Child Care Solutions is a statewide alliance of business leaders dedicated to addressing Ohio’s child care challenges as a critical workforce issue. Recognizing that access to quality, affordable child care is essential for employee retention and economic growth, the coalition advocates for policies that support both families and businesses. The coalition consists of a private and public partners, including small businesses, The Ohio Chamber of Commerce and regional chambers of commerce, all united in the mission to create a robust, high-quality, affordable child care system.

Additionally, we engage with trends in early childhood policy and advocacy starts with listening—especially to families and frontline professionals. Through initiatives like our Family Action Network, we directly connect with parents and caregivers across the state to understand their lived experiences and priorities. We work to make it easy for families to share their stories, testify at the Statehouse, and actively participate in the advocacy process. These conversations inform our work and ensure that the voices of families shape the direction of our advocacy.

We also host events like our annual Advocacy Day, which brings together hundreds of early childhood champions from across Ohio to meet directly with lawmakers and elevate issues that matter most to young children and their families. This grassroots engagement is vital for staying attuned to real-time challenges and opportunities in the field.

Our work results in initiatives like Threads of Hope, a report sharing powerful family stories, and our Early Childhood Dashboard, which tracks critical data and calls for bold, parent-led investments in Ohio’s future.

We also organize large-scale events such as the Rally for Working Families on June 17th at the Statehouse—which was an opportunity to amplify the collective voice of Ohioans advocating for stronger support systems for children and caregivers.

By staying deeply connected to communities, regularly analyzing data, and creating accessible platforms for public engagement, we remain on the cutting edge of the early childhood landscape in Ohio and beyond.

For more information and to read all of our research and reports, go to www.groundworkohio.org/resources

What is your company culture like?

Groundwork Ohio’s culture is rooted in purpose, collaboration, and equity. We are a passionate team driven by a shared commitment to improving the lives of young children and families across the state. Our workplace is inclusive, supportive, and mission-focused—where every voice is valued and every team member is empowered to lead from their seat.

We prioritize listening, open communication, and continuous learning. Team members are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work, and contribute creatively to our collective mission. While the work we do is serious and urgent, we foster a positive and flexible environment where we celebrate progress, lift each other up, and lead with empathy and integrity.

What does it take to be a successful employee at your company?

A successful employee at Groundwork Ohio is someone who is mission-driven, proactive in their pursuit of excellence, and committed to driving impact through collaboration. They bring a strong sense of purpose to their work, communicate effectively with diverse audiences, and are adaptable in a fast-paced policy environment. Above all, they embrace our core values and approach every challenge with integrity, empathy, and a solution-oriented mindset.

What makes Columbus such a great place to do business?

Columbus is a vibrant hub for policy, innovation, and collaboration—making it an ideal location for a statewide organization like Groundwork Ohio. Our proximity to the Statehouse allows us to stay closely engaged with policymakers and legislative activity, which is critical to our advocacy work. As a centrally located city, Columbus also makes it easier to connect with partners, families, and stakeholders from every corner of the state. Its diverse population, growing economy, and strong civic infrastructure provide a dynamic environment for building partnerships and driving meaningful impact.

Social Media:
X: https://x.com/GroundworkOhio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groundworkohio
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/groundwork-ohio/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groundworkohio/
Website: https://www.groundworkohio.org/