We’re here to be a partner

It takes a lot to run a nonprofit organization:  funding, people, knowledge, resources, and connections. As your organization works to fulfill its mission and support your community, it can be challenging to find and connect to the resources it needs to be successful. Without critical resources, a nonprofit can be hindered from scaling its programs and services to help more people.

That’s why Community Shares of Mid Ohio works as a partner for your nonprofit. Through our nonprofit membership program, we connect your organization to valuable resources to help it meet the community's needs. Its membership grants access to resources and relationships to empower your organization:

  • Professional development sessions to connect your staff, board members, and volunteers to best practices and skills development
  • Marketing to expand the community’s awareness of your organization and connect to new audiences
  • Networking to create opportunities for sharing knowledge, experience, and establishing collaborations
  • Discounts to help you stretch your dollars further
  • And more.

Explore our membership tiers to determine the best fit for your organization and how Community Shares of Mid Ohio can become a reliable partner for you. 

Which tier is right for your organization?

No two nonprofits are the same, so we’ve designed our membership tiers to meet you where you are. Below is our chart of benefits to help you learn the difference between each tier to choose which is the best fit for your organization. 

Associate Membership

A great option for organizations that are just getting started, scaling, or dealing with a transition. This tier provides access to professional development sessions, best practices, networking, and more to help organizations grow and evolve. 

Benefits

  • Four (4) free professional development sessions per year, discounted rate for additional sessions
  • Networking with fellow nonprofit professionals and organizations
  • Marketing exposure through the Community Shares network
  • Access to discussions to share knowledge, advice, and expertise
  • Exclusive member newsletter and portal for access to information and resources
  • Discounts on services 

Membership Criteria

  • Annual Fee - $175
  • IRS Letter of Determination
  • Secretary of State Certificate of Continued Existence
  • Confirm annual 990 and AG filing
  • Member Agencies may not be a part of any program operated, managed, or controlled by the government or by any educational institution.
  • Member Agencies must be committed to challenging injustices and supporting social change in one or more of the following ways:
    • Advocate for a more equitable distribution of resources, wealth, and power through information and education;
    • Provide individuals with the tools to act together to create change on a systemic level;
    • Advocate for the elimination of social, economic, cultural, and political barriers that keep people from fully participating in our society;
    • Promote respect for the natural, animal, and/or human environments and their sustainability; and/or prevent discrimination 
  • Service organizations with a religious affiliation are eligible for membership if the services they provide meet the definition of “Direct Health and Human Services” and are provided without regard to the religious beliefs or affiliation of those receiving the services. Such service organizations must also have their own 501(c)(3) designation and their own board of directors, separate from the church or religious organization with which they are affiliated. Examples: Food pantries, etc
  • Participation in another major fundraising federation does not prohibit Community Shares membership
  • Read the full list of criteria here

Full Membership

The full access membership gives your organization everything Community Shares has to offer to support your organization’s mission.  

Benefits

  • Access to all fundraising programs to connect organizations to new donors
  • Access to funding, including unrestricted, through fundraising programs
  • All professional development sessions are available for free or at discounted rates, including our back catalog
  • Networking with fellow nonprofit professionals and organizations
  • Marketing exposure through the Community Shares network
  • Access to discussions to share knowledge, advice, and expertise
  • Exclusive member newsletter and portal for access to information and resources
  • Discounts on services 

Membership criteria

  • Annual Fee - $275
  • IRS Letter of Determination showing nonprofit status for a minimum of 2 years
  • Secretary of State Certificate of Continued Existence
  • Copy of organization’s annual 990 filing (990-EZ or 990-N with 990 pro-forma)
  • Annual AG filing
  • City of Columbus Solicitation Permit
  • Member Agencies may not be a part of any program operated, managed, or controlled by the government or by any educational institution
  • Member Agencies must be committed to challenging injustices and supporting social change in one or more of the following ways:
    • Advocate for a more equitable distribution of resources, wealth, and power through information and education;
    • Provide individuals with the tools to act together to create change on a systemic level;
    • Advocate for the elimination of social, economic, cultural, and political barriers that keep people from fully participating in our society;
    • Promote respect for the natural, animal, and/or human environments and their sustainability; and/or prevent discrimination
  • Service organizations with a religious affiliation are eligible for membership if the services they provide meet the definition of “Direct Health and Human Services” and are provided without regard to the religious beliefs or affiliation of those receiving the services. Such service organizations must also have their own 501(c)(3) designation and their own board of directors, separate from the church or religious organization with which they are affiliated. Examples: Food pantries, etc
  • Participation in another major fundraising federation does not prohibit Community Shares membership
  • Read the full list of criteria here

Get a jumpstart on the annual application for full membership! Download our application checklist to ensure you have all the necessary materials ready when the application becomes available.

Community Shares accepts full members on an annual basis, typically in late summer. Fill out the form below to be notified when our full membership application is available.