There is something electric about being a Buckeye. It’s a shared belief that when we unite, we can move mountains.
But true Buckeye pride isn’t just about what happens on the field on Saturdays. It’s about how we show up for our neighbors on Monday morning. Central Ohio is growing faster than ever, but that growth means our local communities are facing major challenges—from housing insecurity to environmental threats.
From September 14 through November 2, 2026, the annual OSU Buckeyes for Charity Campaign gives us our moment to turn that legendary university energy into a force for good. While the campaign links you to incredible organizations worldwide, directing your support through Community Shares of Mid Ohio ensures your dollar stays right here at home.
By choosing Community Shares of Mid Ohio during this fall's window, you back a powerhouse network of 60+ local, grassroots nonprofits. These are the front-line teams, the innovators, and the change-makers fighting for equity, opportunity, and justice right in our own backyards.
Small Change, Massive Difference: The Power of the Pledge
You don't need to write a massive check to be a hero for a local charity. By choosing Workplace Payroll Deduction, your giving is split seamlessly across your paychecks—making a massive annual impact completely budget-friendly.
Look at how a small, recurring pledge translates into real-world change right here in Columbus:
Your Pledge Per Pay Period | Annual Total | What Your Gift Can Power Locally |
$5 | $130 | Funds training to strengthen the skills of local nonprofit professionals OR 13 daily medication treatments for a person in rehab. |
$10 | $260 | Helps domestic violence survivors obtain IDs, birth certificates, and other required documentation to get a job or new housing that was destroyed by their abuser OR provides fresh meals to 5 Youth Drop-in Center. |
$20 | $520 | Can furnish an entire apartment for a newly arriving refugee family OR pay for one voucher-supported spay or neuter each week. |
*Examples represent the collective, real-world impact of average grassroots programming costs across Central Ohio. Your actual gift will directly fund the specific mission and greatest needs of the member charity you choose.
It’s automatic, it’s secure, and it converts your daily hard work into continuous, year-round fuel for local progress.
Find the Causes and Communities That Matter to You
One of the greatest benefits of giving through Community Shares is choice. Our member organizations work across a broad range of issue areas and serve diverse populations throughout Central Ohio. No matter what inspires your generosity, there is a member organization making a difference in that space.
Causes You Can Support:
- Access to Justice
- Animal Welfare & Rights
- Community Engagement
- Disabilities Services and Support
- Education and the Arts
- Environmental Protection and Sustainability
- Health and Wellness
- Housing Support and Services
- Hunger and Food Security
- Social Justice
- Violence Prevention & Safety
- Workforce Development
- Youth and Children Support
See our members by cause area here.
Communities You Can Empower:
- Animals
- Families
- Immigrant and Refugee Communities
- Infants and Children
- LGBTQIA+ Individuals
- Men
- People with Disabilities
- Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
- Seniors
- Teens and Young Adults
- Veterans and Military Families
- Women
See which members empower which communities here.
Why Workplace Giving is Your Giving Superpower
If you are looking for the smartest way to support the causes you love without disrupting your household budget, workplace payroll deduction stands out for a few major reasons:
- Small Steps, Massive Impact: By spreading your donation across your regular paychecks, you can commit to a much larger annual gift than you could upfront—without ever feeling the pinch.
- True "Set It and Forget It" Convenience: Once your pledge is filled out, your support happens automatically. No calendar reminders to set, no missed months, and no frantic scramble for tax receipts in January.
- No impact on your credit score: Since the donation is deducted from your paycheck, there is no charge to your credit card, and it won’t affect your credit score or incur late fees.
- Unmatched Power of Choice: You hold the reins. You can back Community Shares as a whole to sustain the local nonprofit ecosystem, or target the exact neighborhood nonprofits that match your passion.
The Bottom Line: Workplace giving turns routine payroll into a powerhouse tool for social change. It’s efficient, flexible, and built to make your generosity go further.
Ready to Fuel the Future? Here’s How:
Don't wait until the November 2 deadline: joining the movement takes less than five minutes today.
- Step 1: Head to the [Community Shares Member Directory] to pick the specific causes that speak to you and grab their OSU campaign codes.
- Step 2: Click the button below to log into the university's secure ePledge portal.
- Step 3: Select "Payroll Deduction," enter your chosen codes, and set your amount.
Let’s Make History Before November 2
Last year, the OSU community showed incredible generosity, helping the overall campaign raise over $1 million for local nonprofits. When you choose a Community Shares member organization, you are funding the agile, grassroots groups that make every dollar count.
Let's show Central Ohio the true power of this university. Make your pledge today, and let's build a better community together!
