Family businesses have always understood that you don't just operate in a community, you belong to it. Long before giving back became a corporate trend, family businesses were quietly showing up as neighbors with a genuine stake in the well-being of the people around them. That deep personal sense of responsibility is what sets family businesses apart.
In Central Ohio, that enduring spirit continues to shape the region's economic and social fabric, supported and strengthened by the Conway Center for Family Business. By connecting and equipping family-owned companies, the Conway Center helps amplify their collective impact across the community.
Where community commitment becomes lasting impact
Family businesses measure success not just in revenue, but in relationships, reputation and community well-being. Stolly Insurance Group and White Castle each demonstrate how family-owned businesses translate values into meaningful impact through personal engagement and structured giving.
For Stolly, a fifth-generation company serving Ohio for more than 120 years, community involvement is deeply embedded in its culture. "We've always been a big believer in giving back to the communities that we serve in," the company shared, pointing to employee volunteerism, local events and ongoing fundraising. Their emphasis on "building genuine relationships built on trust and collaboration" reflects a hands-on approach to strengthening Central Ohio guided by a philosophy of "caring deeply, working extremely hard and doing the right thing all the time."
White Castle, an iconic family-owned company with deep Central Ohio roots, demonstrates how large-scale operations can maintain a personal, community-focused approach. Through the Ingram White Castle Foundation, the company provides "grants based around food sourcing and education for adults and young children," paired with in-store round-up campaigns that invite customers to participate in giving back. Team members contribute thousands of volunteer hours to nonprofit partners each year. Internally, their focus is equally strong: relief programs and scholarships support employees and their families, reflecting a belief that how they "show up for our team members" matters just as much as how they show up for the community.
Where purpose meets practice: Supporting people
Donatos Pizza demonstrates what it means to show up with intention for customers, employees and neighbors alike. Guided by the Donatos Family Foundation's "Love Our Neighbor" mission, the company focuses on housing, hunger and health — raising more than $1.336 million for Central Ohio in just four years. Associates volunteer three paid service days per year and The Promise Family Fund provides a financial safety net for employees in times of hardship. Built on "agápe capitalism," a philosophy of unconditional love, Donatos lives out its promise "to serve the best pizza and make someone's day a little better,” a standard that reaches far beyond their restaurants and into the heart of the community.
That same spirit of care defines Artina Promotional Products, a second-generation family business. For Artina, giving back is not just an initiative; it's a personal responsibility. Through meaningful employment, community partnerships and the Artina Choose Kind Foundation, the company supports causes that "strengthen families, uplift children and help neighbors in need." Their status as a family business shapes every interaction: "We treat customers like partners, value our employees as extended family, and stay deeply connected to our neighbors, because our reputation, values and name are all personal to us." Both Donatos and Artina recognize that when family businesses come together to support one another, "our businesses, our people and our community are all better for it."
Stronger together: How family businesses grow through connection
While each of these companies contributes to Central Ohio in its own way, the Conway Center amplifies that impact by creating a space where people and purpose come first. It connects leaders not only to resources but also to one another, fostering collaboration, shared learning and meaningful community engagement.
As Stolly Insurance Group notes, the Conway Center "has been instrumental in providing resources, philanthropy opportunities, peer groups, education and connections that have a long-lasting impact." Donatos echoes that sentiment: "Being part of a trusted community allows us to learn from one another, support one another and grow stronger together. When we intentionally uplift and encourage one another, our businesses, our people and our community are all better for it."
For Artina, the Conway Center "has helped us think more intentionally about succession, impact, and how we can give back in ways that honor our past while strengthening our future." White Castle adds that members "support each other by sharing best practices and making connections to make our community a better place to live, work and raise our families." Together, these perspectives underscore the Conway Center's role as more than a business network but as a catalyst for supporting people, strengthening families and building a more resilient community.
Strengthening the community fabric
Family-owned businesses are employers, mentors, volunteers and neighbors. These organizations invest not just in growth, but in people. Through the Conway Center for Family Business, these companies are sustaining their own legacies while building a stronger, more connected Central Ohio. Their collective efforts affirm a simple truth: when family businesses thrive, so do the communities they call home.
Are you ready to be part of something bigger?
Join the Conway Center for Family Business and connect with a powerful network of like-minded leaders who are committed to growing stronger — together. As a member, you'll gain access to peer groups, educational resources and lasting connections that will shape not just your business, but your community for generations to come. Your legacy starts here.
To learn more, email the Conway Center at info@familybusinesscenter.com or visit www.familybusinesscenter.com.