Godman Guild Association

We are truly blown away by the incredible generosity of our community!
Thanks to your support, we’ve raised an amazing amount for our Campership Fund—opening the door for more kids to experience the joy and impact of summer camp.
A very special thank you to Gifts for Good Foundation, the City of Columbus, and The Columbus Foundation for their extraordinarily generous contributions. Your leadership is helping make camp possible for so many young people.
For many kids, summer camp isn’t just fun—it’s transformational. It’s where friendships are formed, confidence grows, and kids get the chance to explore, learn, and simply be kids in a safe and supportive environment.
Because of you, more children will spend this summer swimming, exploring the outdoors, and creating memories that last a lifetime.

The Columbus Foundation
Columbus City Council

A huge thank you to U.S. Bank for showing up in such a big way on May 13!

With a team of dedicated volunteers helping us prepare camp for the summer season, so much important work got done to make sure everything is ready for our campers. From setting up spaces to tackling projects across camp, their energy and commitment made a lasting impact.

Getting Camp Mary Orton ready for summer simply wouldn’t be possible without volunteers like you. We’re so grateful for your partnership and support. Our campers will feel the difference all season long!

Mission Monday

A powerful day of learning, connection, and impact at Camp Mary Orton!

In partnership with Seeds of Caring, 53 kids and families came together to explore how humans and animals coexist, and why caring for our natural world matters.

Then they got to work:
120 Nature Literacy Kits assembled for our summer campers!
Each kit is filled with tools to spark curiosity and discovery—backpacks, journals, bug catchers, binoculars, and more—helping campers connect with nature all summer long.
Moments like this reflect Godman Guild’s mission in action—creating opportunities for individuals to learn, grow, and build connections that support lifelong success.
Thank you to Seeds of Caring and every volunteer who made this day so meaningful.

We’re proud to see our CEO, Toni Cunningham, lending her voice to conversations that move our community forward.

At Accenture Columbus’ Season of Impact kickoff, Toni joined leaders and nonprofit partners in a fireside panel focused on what it truly takes to build strong, strategic partnerships that drive meaningful community impact.

We were especially honored to see Blue Bow Tie, our social enterprise, featured as part of the day—catering lunch while continuing its mission to provide job training and employment for individuals facing barriers to work across Central Ohio.

From thoughtful dialogue to hands-on service—packing literacy kits for United Way of Central Ohio, we’re grateful to Columbus for creating space for collaboration and impact—and proud to be part of a community working toward something bigger.

.m.cunningham United Way of Central Ohio Accenture

We are proud to congratulate our CEO, Toni Cunningham, on being named to Mahogany Columbus’ Power 100—recognizing the most influential African American leaders in Columbus.
This honor celebrates individuals who are shaping our community through leadership, vision, and impact.
Toni’s passion for advancing opportunity, strengthening communities, and leading with purpose continues to inspire all of us at Godman Guild and beyond.
Congratulations, Toni—this recognition is so well deserved!

Do you know how The Godman Guild got its name? When the Guild was founded by activist Anna B. Keagle in 1898, it was originally known as the First Neighborhood Guild Association Boys’ Club. The association quickly outgrew their rented space, and along with seed money from several trustees, Henry C. Godman, of the Godman Shoe Company, donated $10,000 to build a settlement house. This building located on W. Goodale St. was completed in 1900 and the group became the Godman Guild Association.

Follow to learn more about where we started and where we're going!
Next Starts Here

Thank you to Charles Hillman, President & CEO of the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority for stopping by to preview the new home of Godman Guild and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio !
This new shared space is designed to bring more opportunity, connection, and support to our community and we’re excited to have leaders like CMHA engaged in what’s ahead.
Make sure you stay tuned because we have BIG news coming soon!

Mission Monday

Marie’s journey is what “Next Starts Here” looks like in action.

Marie first came to Godman Guild to complete her GED through the High School Equivalency program but didn’t stop there. She continued into our Career Bridges program after spending eight months applying for healthcare jobs without success. She had the passion, but needed a new approach.
Through Career Bridges, Marie began rediscovering her strengths. With support and guidance, she was able to clarify her goals and finally see a future in healthcare.
She committed fully by strengthening her résumé, practicing interviews, and learning how to navigate applicant tracking systems that had previously held her back. With one-on-one coaching, she also built confidence, sharpened her job search strategy, and learned how to advocate for herself.
And it paid off.
Just 30 days after completing the program, Marie secured a role as a Sterile Processing Technician at Riverside Hospital—the same position she had been working toward for months.
Marie says, “Prior to joining the Godman Guild Career Bridges program, I faced significant barriers to employment, including periods of unemployment, family challenges, and a desire to break out of low-wage work. I needed a supportive environment to build both my confidence and professional skills."
Marie’s journey is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about hard work, it’s about having the right support, strategy, and belief in what’s possible.
At Godman Guild, Next Starts Here—and for Marie, that next step has already begun.

In the Fall of 1897, Anna B. Keagle, a high school language teacher and Sunday school instructor, discovered that several of her teen-age pupils had been arrested and placed in jail. She realized that Flytown needed a "house open at all times to which the people of the neighborhood may come to read, be entertained, and to be instructed". As Flytown was a neighborhood with many recent immigrants, English lessons and employment information were among the services provided for adults. The District Nurse’s Association distributed free milk to families. The Guild also began the playground and recreation center movements in Columbus when they set up the city’s first supervised playground for children and a low cost gymnasium for boys and girls.

Stay tuned every Thursday for more information about Godman Guild. Where we started and where we're going.

Next Starts Here.

Summer is almost here—don’t keep your feet on the ground!
At Camp Mary Orton, adventure is everywhere—from high ropes and the Giant’s Ladder to daily swimming and more.
Register today at
https://www.godmanguild.org/camp-mary-orton/summer-camps/