The Big Table® is an annual community-wide day of conversation designed to inspire civic engagement and connection. At a time when many people feel lonely or disconnected, creating space for genuine human connection matters more than ever. Through intentional dialogue, Big Table participants are encouraged to meet new people, share their lived experiences, and actively listen to build a kinder, more connected community where everyone has a seat at the table.
The Big Table is free and open to all!
Sign up below to host* your own conversation, join a public conversation near you, or request a K-12 educator toolkit.
*Hosts are not required to register. However, registered hosts will receive additional resources and supplies for their Big Table, while supplies last.
Conversation
Bringing together your own Big Table conversation is easy and rewarding! Check out the Host Guidebook for everything you need to know about hosting your conversation.
Public Conversation
The Big Table is about bringing the community together and giving everyone an opportunity to share their voice. Help us build a kind, connected community by signing up to participate in a public Big Table conversation near you.
Educator Toolkit
Designed for students grades K-12, The Big Table Educator Toolkit equips educators with everything they need for a 45-minute lesson, including a discussion and activity guide and supplies mailed to your school. There is no cost to participate.
Interested in more guidance or inspiration for hosting your own Big Table? Sign up to attend an optional Host Information Session at The Columbus Foundation (1234 East Broad Street). You’ll have the opportunity to meet other Big Table hosts, ask questions about guiding your conversation, and hear from others about their Big Table experiences. This session is open to anyone, so invite your friends and colleagues to join you!
Can’t make it? Watch highlights from previous Host Information Sessions here.
UPCOMING HOST INFORMATION SESSIONS
The Big Table is designed to bring neighbors together as a service to the community through listening, sharing, and discussion, not as a platform for the promotion or advertisement of any product, service, or point of view. The views expressed by hosts and participants are shared for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation by The Columbus Foundation.
FAQs
Launched in 2016, The Big Table is a community-wide day of conversation. Through intentional dialogue, participants are encouraged to meet new people, share their lived experiences, and actively listen to build a kinder, more connected community where everyone has a seat at the table.
Download The Big Table Fact Sheet for more information.
At a time when many people feel lonely or disconnected, creating space for genuine human connection matters more than ever. The Big Table is an invitation for community members to gather, listen, and learn from one another.
We don’t come knowing all the answers, but through curiosity and conversation, we can better understand the challenges we face together and the opportunities ahead. When we show up with kindness and stay engaged, we can improve our well-being, opening doors for stronger social bonds and a more connected, resilient community.
Anyone can participate in The Big Table, and everyone has a seat at the table! The more voices, experiences, and perspectives, the better.
Big Table discussions are facilitated by volunteer hosts equipped with a guidebook and materials. Most discussions will include 4-10 people and, ideally, some or all participants will be meeting each other for the first time.
Everyone has a seat at the table! Hosts are encouraged to use the Host Guidebook (available in Arabic, English, Nepali, Somali, and Spanish) to prepare for their Big Table conversation!
The Big Table Educator Toolkit equips K-12 educators to engage our region’s youth in this day of community-wide conversation. By participating with their students, educators are helping to build a kinder, more connected community where everyone has a seat at the table.
Register for the Educator Toolkit here. The toolkit includes everything educators need for a 45-minute lesson, such as a discussion and activity guide, conversation prompts, participation stickers, and more.
All throughout central Ohio! Conversations can take place anywhere—at a coffee shop, school, community center, library, house, place of worship, office building, parks, or even virtual spaces.
Big Table conversations open to all are happening throughout central Ohio, including at Columbus Metropolitan Library branches, YMCA of Central Ohio locations, local community centers, and on Zoom.
Click here to find a conversation happening near you!
There are several ways you can take part in this community-wide effort. See below for more information on how you can host your own Big Table conversation and register to participate in a Big Table event. Be sure to promote your involvement on social media using the hashtag, #TheBigTable!
If you have additional questions, please contact us at bigtable@columbusfoundation.org or 614/545-3232.
As a Big Table host, you are committing to bring together a group of people to collectively explore issues important to our community. Hosts believe in each person’s power to make a difference. Your conversation can happen any time on Tuesday, September 29, and in any place where guests feel comfortable.
The Columbus Foundation provides a Host Guidebook (available in Arabic, English, Nepali, Somali, and Spanish) and materials for the conversation, but each host is encouraged to choose the conversation topic(s) and format, making the discussion their own.
As a Big Table host, you’ll:
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Identify and secure a location and time for your conversation to take place on Tuesday, September 29.
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Select a community topic (housing, volunteering, education, climate, etc.) for your Big Table conversation, or you can choose to have an open-ended discussion using the suggested conversation prompts and/or encouraging participants to shape the direction of the conversation.
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Recruit 4 to 10 people and coordinate RSVPs for your Big Table conversation.
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Serve as the facilitator of your Big Table conversation and ensure everyone has an opportunity to participate in the discussion.
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Complete a brief survey after your conversation and encourage your guests to do the same.
Email your questions to bigtable@columbusfoundation.org or call 614/545-3232.
2025 BIG TABLE HIGHLIGHTS
Through a survey, Big Table participants shared their ideas, stories, and feedback. Here is a snapshot of what they said!
Public Table Partners
