Public-private partnerships. Collaboration. Civic Engagement. “The Columbus Way.”

You’ve likely heard these descriptors mentioned by local leaders over the past decade when talking about big picture ideas for improving our city, but what do they actually mean? When discussing this year’s 26-hour philanthropic Big Give campaign with Dale Heydlauff, SVP of Corporate Communications at AEP, he answered how his company puts that into practice.

On October 10th and 11th, the Big Give returned to Columbus to raise funds for over 900 area nonprofits in a 26-hour online campaign. AEP is one local contributor to a $1.3 million bonus pool of funding that will amplify every donation made during the Big Give, which Heydlauff said is a critical component.

“The Big Give generates donations that in some cases wouldn’t otherwise have happened, and I think that’s wonderful,” added Heydlauff. “For most nonprofits, it’s a nice benefit for them to have to make sure they can fulfill their mission and expand the people who they serve as a result.”

Read the full article by Walker Evans on Columbus Underground