Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with A Seat at Our Table, a non-profit corporation, in support of the WorkSpace program.
WorkSpace is a professional development and leadership accelerator designed to support emerging and mid-career professionals in Central Ohio. The program provides participants with skills, strategies, and a peer network to strengthen leadership capacity and advance professionally. One of the only programs of its kind in Central Ohio, WorkSpace serves as a catalyst for tangible career growth. Through in-person, interactive sessions, career coaching, skills-based workshops, and mentorship opportunities, participants gain practical tools to navigate workplace challenges, increase confidence, and position themselves for advancement and long-term upward mobility. Based on the success of the 2025 WorkSpace cohorts, A Seat at Our Table is seeking an additional $15,000 investment from the City of Columbus to expand access, increase cohort capacity, sustain high-quality facilitation, and support participant scholarships. With continued support from the City, A Seat at Our Table can:
• Serve more professionals and emerging leaders in Columbus.
• Increase access for participants who may not otherwise be able to afford the full cost of the program.
• Expand the frequency and size of future WorkSpace cohorts.
• Continue delivering high-quality leadership development rooted in workforce readiness, confidence-building, and career mobility.
• Strengthen Columbus’ inclusive leadership pipeline.
• Invest in diverse local vendors and small businesses.
• Build ThriveIN’s internal capacity to support sustainable program growth
A continued investment from the City of Columbus would allow A Seat at Our Table to build on the momentum of the 2025 cohorts and deepen the program’s impact across the region.
This ordinance authorizes advanced payment to A Seat at Our Table in order to provide the resources necessary for initiating the 2026 cohort. In addition, A Seat at Our Table will utilize a portion of the resources to provide food and beverage to program participants, which Council deems to serve a public purpose.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available in the amount of $15,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with A Seat at Our Table in support of the WorkSpace program; and to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund. ($15,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, WorkSpace is a professional development and leadership accelerator designed to support emerging and mid-career professionals in Central Ohio; and
WHEREAS, a continued investment from the City of Columbus would allow A Seat at Our Table to build on the momentum of the 2025 cohorts and deepen the program’s impact across the region; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. The City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with A Seat at Our Table in support of the WorkSpace program, and that funding may be provided to A Seat at Our Table in advance of the initiation of any programming.
SECTION 2. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $15,000.00 to Columbus City Council in 05-Other per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That per the action authorixed in Section 1of this ordinance, the expenditure of $15,000.00, or so much thereof as is needed, is hereby authorized within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the distribution of food and beverages associated with the execution of this grant agreement are deemed to be for a proper public purpose.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this legislation.
SECTION 6. That this ordinance shall take effect at the earliest date allowable by law.