The "COhatch GIVE" Scholarship Helps Local Nonprofits

by Serena Burks

Throughout the fall and holiday season, businesses and individuals alike seek new ways to help others. Whether it’s through a monetary donation, helping with equipment costs, sending items at no cost, conducting a toy drive, hosting a holiday meal, or simply providing gift cards to those in need, businesses and people across the nation find a way to give back. While it’s something many do throughout the year, the holidays are always a time when people feel more driven to help others.

Nonprofit organizations hold a special place in the hearts of many. Whether you’re drawn to supporting exotic animals, rescue pets, health-related conditions or some other mission, there’s always a nonprofit that needs your support. COhatch, a coworking company with several locations across Columbus, makes this a year-round endeavor with their Give Scholarship for nonprofit organizations.

COhatch was founded in 2016, opening its first location in Worthington, Ohio. Since then, the company has expanded to 16 locations across Ohio, with additional locations in Indiana, Pennsylvania and Florida. Upon opening its doors, COhatch already had a plan to give back by allowing those who purchased a membership to donate toward nonprofit scholarships. In return, COhatch wrote donor names and donations on round wooden coasters and hung them up for all to see. Today, the GIVE Scholarship has moved beyond the COhatch The Hardware Store to support community development at each location.

So, what is the GIVE Scholarship? Initially, the scholarship started out as a boost scholarship that was intended for companies that needed an extra boost and couldn’t afford office space.

From there it spun off into helping nonprofits, the intention being for members to use space provided by COhatch. Scholarships can be used in different ways, depending on the needs of the organization.

All scholarship recipients are given a form of membership that allows them to use COhatch services such as work space, mail service, meeting room access and events. Board meetings, collaborations with other nonprofits or local businesses, there’s even a retirement party being held at a COhatch location soon. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination and the availability of your local COhatch space!

On top of the scholarship, COhatch hosts a number of events throughout the year that bring nonprofits and the community together. Twice-yearly events are specific to impact programs, but local, smaller events like lunches and happy hour are extended to all members, new and existing, and every member receives an invite.

Not done yet, COhatch hosts Impact Hours where office hours exist for startups and nonprofits to get free business advice and assistance. While the GIVE Scholarship is typically reserved for local nonprofits, COhatch does offer a 20% discount to other nonprofits looking to use their space.

One recipient of the GIVE Scholarship is Damascus, a prison reentry nonprofit. Christine Marallen, Chief Strategy Officer at Damascus, discusses the impact of the scholarship on the nonprofit.

For Damascus and the work that we do, we rely on meeting other business owners to really drive our initiative of finding people employment. We count on meeting other professionals, whether it’s a networking opportunity, or just getting information on what’s happening in the economy and different work spaces, it’s really crucial for our organization,” she said.

“Just to be in the COhatch offices, our staff has the opportunity to meet other business owners, other nonprofits like us that are trying to move the needle in some way, it’s a game changer for us.”

The impact is felt by each nonprofit who receives a scholarship. Office space comes at a premium, especially in an era when more and more people are working from home. Running a nonprofit out of your home tends to take over the house with items donated, packages to send, gift bags to put together for events, and whatever else is needed.

It’s not ideal for most people who have families and pets, so giving these organizations a place to call “home” is a bigger relief than you might think.

THe GIVE Scholarship is good for one year, and recipients are invited to reapply when their year is up.

Speaking with Jenna Dray, Columbus Market Leader for COhatch, revealed that with the growth of COhatch came the development of their overall Impact Fund. This fund supports nonprofits (GIVE Scholarship), boost scholarships and civic scholarships. Boost scholarships are for local startups and small businesses, some are tech-focused, others are owned by women and minorities. The Civic scholarship is intended for city leaders, police, fire departments, etc. that may need space for various meetings or events. As of September 2022, COhatch has awarded over $1.3 million in scholarships across five locations, including over $700,000 in Columbus alone.

COhatch was founded with the idea that the company would give back in some way. What started out small just six years ago has blossomed into something amazing that strengthens our local community and boasts a collaborative and inclusive environment for all.

Are you interested in giving to COhatch’s GIVE Scholarship? Good news, you can! Even if you aren’t a COhatch member, you can “Adopt a nonprofit” through a form on their website. You (or your business) can donate directly to the Impact Fund for general use, or sponsor a specific nonprofit organization. Check it out, happy donating!

Serena Burks