Member Spotlight: The Furniture Bank of Central Ohio

Member Spotlight by The Furniture Bank of Central Ohio

Provide us with a brief summary of your business’ services

Furniture Bank of Central Ohio was established in 1998 as Material Assistance Providers to help furnish the homes of people emerging from homelessness. We now provide approximately 40,000+ pieces of furniture to about 3,700+ central Ohio families and individuals struggling with poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, or another life crisis in our core Furniture for Families program. We collaborate with 75 social service agencies and faith-based partners who screen and refer families in need. More than 9,000 furniture donors, 1,100 generous financial donors, and 1,300 volunteers, who contribute nearly 20,000 hours in service each year, help us to fulfill our mission to turn empty houses into homes for central Ohio families.

After a successful capital campaign in 2006, we moved into our current facility in Franklinton. Over the years, we’ve added delivery services for clients, added a “Health Risk-Free Warranty” to address bed bug concerns, and started building furniture for families in-house with the help of donated plywood from Sauder Woodworking. In recent years, we have built up two social enterprises, our Furniture with a Heart thrift stores, and our Downsize with a Heart downsizing services, to generate revenue for the Furniture Bank. Since our inception and thanks to these improvements, we have served more than 81,000 families- 210,000+ people- in our 26 years of service. As the need for our community grows, we are determined to serve up to 6,000 families and their children every year as we embark on our Furnish Our Community Plan.

Our Furniture for Families program serves families experiencing poverty or a severe life crisis and in need of a furnished home. With a goal to provide our families with a personalized and dignified experience, families typically visit the Furniture Bank to personally select 5 to 20 pieces of furniture to fill their home such as beds, couches, dressers, tables, chairs, and other items and have it delivered the same day. On average, we serve between 15 and 20 families per day and deliver over 300 pieces of furniture to them. This average program capacity is made possible by dedicated Furniture Bank staff who collect furniture donations, stage the client showroom, and deliver furniture to client families, as well as generous volunteers who help families select their furniture items and build furniture in our woodshop.

Tell us about your company’s mission and values

The mission of the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio (FBCO) is to reduce the impact of poverty by providing furniture to central Ohio individuals and families struggling with severe life challenges.

The Furniture Bank is a unique and collaborative organization that connects individuals, businesses, social service agencies, and faith-based organizations to people struggling with poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, unemployment, and other severe life crises. We both collect and build furniture, then work with over 75 social service agencies and other nonprofits to distribute furniture to client families.

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

We look forward to using the Columbus Chamber’s various events and networking opportunities to allow us to continue connecting with potential partners and community groups in the area. The Columbus Region Logistics Council has also proven to be a great service for us, as we can gain various insights and trends from other companies who face similar roadblocks to operations that we see every day.

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

As the 3rd largest Furniture Bank in North America, the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio is committed to staying at the forefront of industry trends and innovations. We actively engage with industry leaders and participate in conferences and workshops to ensure that our practices align with the latest developments in social enterprise and non-profit management. By staying informed about the best practices in furniture recycling, donation management, and community outreach, we continually refine our operations to better serve families in need.

What is your company culture like?

At the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio, our company culture is rooted in a deep commitment to serving as many families in need as possible throughout Columbus. We understand that the individuals and families we assist often face severe life challenges, and we provide them with essential furniture and home goods that can transform their houses into homes. Our team is driven by a shared passion for making a tangible difference in the community, and we prioritize continued learning and development. We are dedicated to the six core values of our culture including a commitment to our mission, respect, empathy, integrity, striving for excellence, and sustainability. This commitment ensures that we are always equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to better serve our clients, creating a positive and lasting impact on their lives.

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

A successful employee at the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio is defined by their unwavering commitment to helping the community. They serve with compassion and understanding, always putting the needs of those we serve at the forefront. They are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done, ensuring that every task is completed with care and attention to detail. Importantly, they take the time to do things the right way, making sure that the individuals and families we assist feel truly valued and understood. This dedication to excellence and empathy is what sets them apart and drives the success of our mission.

What makes Columbus such a great place to do business?

Columbus is an exceptional place to do business as it is a vibrant, supportive community and has a strong spirit of collaboration. The city is home to a diverse and growing population that values social impact, making it easier to build partnerships with local businesses, organizations, and residents who share our mission of helping families in need. Columbus also boasts a thriving philanthropic environment, with a network of foundations, donors, and volunteers committed to making a difference. The city’s central location and robust infrastructure provide excellent access to resources and logistics, allowing us to efficiently collect and distribute furniture to those in need. Additionally, the Columbus community’s emphasis on inclusivity and innovation aligns perfectly with our goals of continued growth and service, making it an ideal environment for our non-profit to thrive and expand our impact.

Social Media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FurnBankCOH
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/furniturebankcoh/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/furniturebankcoh/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/furniturebankcoh/
Website: https://furniturebankcoh.org/