ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT
Ignite Futures. Power Work. One Goal: IMPACT
JANUARY 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2024
A Note From the CEO
Dear Friends,
As we reflect on 2024, we celebrate a year of resilience, progress, and profound impact. This past year, we deepened our commitment to individuals and families, ensuring that opportunity is not just a promise but a reality. Through the dedication of our team, the generosity of our supporters, and the strength of our community, we expanded our reach, strengthened our programs, and achieved milestones that propel us forward From streamlining our Work Readiness Academy™ programs and serving over 350 adults to nurturing the native genius of our youth through IgniteU, 2024 was a testament to what is possible when we work together toward a shared vision.
Through 2025, realignment will be our guiding principle. This is a year to sharpen our focus ensuring our strategies, resources, and actions align with our mission and the evolving needs of those we serve Realignment is not just about adjusting course, it’s about refining our approach, strengthening our foundation, and positioning our organization for lasting, transformative impact. To begin this journey, our Board of Trustees has affirmed our new mission statement: To ignite pathways to success through education, empowerment and inspiration reinforcing our vision of a city where everyone realizes their Thank you for being part of this jo we will continue to create opportu
Yours in Service,
Godman Guild President & CEO, Ms. Toni Cunningham and Career Bridges graduate, Ms. Ervina M.
Our Renewed Mission, Vision & Values
Mission
We ignite pathways to success through education, empowerment, and inspiration.
Vision
We envision a city where everyone realizes their potential and achieves success.
ACCOUNTABILITY
We hold ourselves to the same high standards as our stakeholders do.
READINESS
Our organization pivots to meet community needs, and our STARs are prepared.
IMP
Our pr empower in be the best them
nderstan rent peo ifferent to succe EQUIT
EMPATHY
We meet people where they are, without judgement.
In 2024, IgniteU served K-8 students with enrichment in STEM, Arts, Literacy, SEL, Health & Wellness, and Career Exploration. Through hands-on science, creative arts, and interactive literacy activities, we fostered curiosity and holistic development Our dynamic program empowered students to explore interests and build essential skills for success year-round.
Ready2 Ready2
Summer2024 Summer2024
The R2E program directly supported Godman Guild's mission to ignite pathways to success through education, empowerment, and inspiration. By providing young adults with work readiness skills, leadership training, and a chance to earn stipends over the summer, we empowered participants to achieve economic self-sufficiency and personal growth.
"The R2E program provided me with skills I didn't realize I would need for my future and helped build my confidence I now feel excited to pursue my goals "
-Anaya B.
Collaborations & Partnerships:
We have established valuable collaborations with several organizations to enhance the R2E program, including:
Columbus State Community College
NCUS
OASIS
Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services
Ingram-White Castle Foundation
Franklin County Office of Justice Policy and Programs
By the Numbers
R2E participants earned over 130 industryrecognized certifications, with the top 3 being IC3 Digital Literacy, Intro to Python Programming, and Adobe Photoshop.
Beyond certifications, many of our participants work toward earning Ohio high school graduation diploma seals, particularly the OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal, Technology Seal, and the Industry-Recognized Credential Seal Collectively, participants earned over $150,000 during the program.
Adult Education &Training
The Work Readiness Academy™ programs promote the mission of the Godman Guild by empowering individuals through education and work readiness training We equip our STARs* with the tools to obtain their GEDs, English Literacy gains, and get Work Ready to thrive
* STARs are talented individuals Skilled Through Alternative Routes, rather than a bachelor’s degree
2024 IMPACT
21,065.35 Hours of Adult Education
1,407 Hours of Career Bridges Work Readiness Training
18 GED’s Earned by our STARs
21 STARs Transitioned to Post-Secondary Education or Training
By the Numbers
Aspyre
Digital Skills Hub
Reeb Ave Center
Columbus Metropolitan Libraries
St Stephen’s Community House
Dress For Success UniteUs Collaborations &
Building Career Bridges
“I believe that the Godman Guild Career Bridges program helped me to perfect my resume skills, interview skills and the way I conduct myself in the workplace overall. I was terminated from a very good job in January and spent most of the year trying to get a new job, with no luck. I believe the techniques and communication skills I acquired and/or improved during my journey with Godman Guild gave me the edge I needed to get hired with the State This was not the first time I applied, but this was my first time landing the job.”
Project Connect
Godman Guild’s Project Connect program, in partnership with the Franklin County Department of Jobs and Family Services, supports STARs to develop job readiness skills that prepare them for employment/workforce; while helping them explore and navigate through their career path!
By the Numbers
Host Sites
Mid-Ohio Food Collective
Broad St. Pantry
All People’s Fresh Market
Open Shelter
LSS Champion
St. Stephens Community House
Charity Newsies
Furniture Bank
Joseph’s Coat
The Hub Fresh Life Farmers Market
Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resource Center
Grace United
Gladden Community House
Welcome Home Foundation
Ohio Means Jobs
FCDJFS
57
Successful completion of program hours
Collaborations
Vocational Education Programs
MedCerts
Columbus State Community College
Ohio School of Phlebotomy
WISE Communications
Penn Foster
American Red Cross
in
17
Stories of Success
Godman Guild was helpful in my journey to obtaining employment by providing an opportunity for me to attend phlebotomy classes at Ohio School for Phlebotomy tuition-free! Thank you for paying for these classes. By attending and successfully completing the phlebotomy classes, I was able to become a certified phlebotomist and receive a job offer from Quest Diagnostics I was blessed to experience such a fast turnaround! I started the phlebotomy classes in May 2024, finished in July 2024, and received a job in August 2024! I originally was hired by OhioHealth, but due to Quest Diagnostics buying out their labs, I will be employed with Quest instead Either way, I am thankful to have found a new career path along with many opportunities to excel It all started with the phlebotomy classes that were funded by Godman Guild Thank you! Tierra H
Our Board of Trustees made a bold and strategic decision to take on a planned deficit to ensure that our staff and programs remain strong, allowing us to serve our community without major interruptions. This investment in our people and mission is already paying off, positioning us for long-term sustainability. We are on a clear path to a balanced budget and, for the first time in decades, building reserves to secure our organization’s future By 2027, we will not only be financially stable we will be stronger than ever
Revenue $4,967,855.00 *
$396,516 00 $2,933,397.00 $1,447,716.00 $190,226 00
Expenses $5,581,873.00 *
$4,560,161.00 $948,700 00 $73,012.00
ACTIVITIES:
Climbing Walls Ravine Crossing Hiking Creeking Archery Bouldering wall
