Building More Than Buildings…Building Community Partnerships

Building more than buildings is the foundation of Gilbane’s culture. Gilbane is dedicated to improving the overall quality of life in the communities where we live and work through active involvement in local charitable and educational organizations. Gilbane has always been committed to giving back to the local community, and our team in Columbus, Ohio has found a way to take our efforts to the next level. Below are a few ways to develop a successful community partnership program.

1. Identify your company’s goals for community involvement

Coming out of our employee engagement brainstorming sessions last year, it was clear that our employees enjoy participating in community events. However, the team was looking for additional ways to increase our involvement with downtown Columbus charities and be more consistent with our volunteer efforts throughout the year. Our employees also expressed interest in finding more events that were tailored to Gilbane’s mission and vision and aligned with our core values. Our engagement committee started a search to find an organization that would check these boxes, and they discovered BESA, a nonprofit organization that connects people and businesses with local charities in Central Ohio.

2. Establish a formal partnership with a charitable organization

After initial meetings with BESA, it was very clear that their mission and values aligned with our core values, and they

identified opportunities where we could make the biggest impact. To meet our goal of increased involvement and our employees’ desire to volunteer in their local communities, we established a formal partnership with BESA. The partnership

enables BESA to connect our employees with enriching volunteer opportunities and strengthen our relationships locally. The partnership with BESA is focused on Gilbane’s philanthropic priorities, and the volunteer opportunities are specific to Gilbane’s Columbus team.

3. Start giving back

Since the creation of this partnership in 2018, our team has volunteered with the Van Buren Shelter and Lower Lights Ministries and have other events in the works. It’s truly amazing to see how the creation of this partnership is not only helping our employees find meaningful opportunities to serve their community, but it’s also making a difference to the organizations we’re supporting. There is no better feeling.

“Through our partnership, the Gilbane team is connecting with the community and making a real impact,” says Matthew Goldstein, BESA CEO. “You have lifted up so many individuals who are without meals or without homes. Your energy is contagious, and your work is inspiring.”

To learn more about our rewarding partnership with BESA, click on the video link to see highlights from our volunteering efforts this year.