ABOUT OUR FOUNDATION
Vision & Mission
A dementia community where no one feels alone.
Building connections to support all impacted by dementia.
Christian & Cody
Founders & partners in life they are committed to helping older adults within the Cincinnati community.
Our Story
Beginning with a single event in 2016 that was born out of passion and life experiences, we are a local group seeking to improve older adult health.
A Dementia Community Where No One Feels Alone
Giving Voice Foundation builds connections to support all impacted by dementia. We provide no-cost programs, education, and community engagement opportunities for individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, their care partners, families, and the broader community throughout the Greater Cincinnati Tri-State region.
A dementia diagnosis can bring isolation, uncertainty, and overwhelm. We believe connection changes that. Through meaningful relationships, shared experiences, and supportive resources, we create spaces where individuals and families feel seen, supported, and valued – and where moments of joy remain possible.
Direct Support Programs
We offer accessible, engaging, no-cost programs that foster connection, creativity, and purpose. Our programs are designed to reduce isolation and cultivate joy – helping individuals living with dementia and their care partners experience meaningful engagement and community.
Education & Advocacy
Conversations and connections lead to solutions and action. We seek to provide unique events and programming that raise awareness and more importantly inspire conversations and bring people together.
StoryTelling
Every life holds a story worth honoring. Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia can quiet a voice, but we intentionally create opportunities for stories to be shared, preserved, and celebrated. By lifting up lived experience, we strengthen understanding and inspire connection across generations.
Community Events
Our fundraising and awareness events fuel our no-cost programs and expand public understanding of dementia. These gatherings bring people together in hopeful, community-centered ways – creating energy, generosity, and shared purpose.
Why It Matters
Isolation is one of the greatest challenges facing individuals living with dementia and their care partners. No one should walk this journey alone.
By building connection, fostering understanding, and creating moments of joy, we are strengthening the dementia community in the Tri-State region – one relationship at a time.
All are welcome. How can we best support you?
Achievements
Years Growing Cincy's Community
Through local events, programs, sponsorships, partnerships, and donations.
Happy Constituents
Our constituents attend annual events like Mimosas for Memories & Cincy Brews for Brains to help us grow our cause and generate conversation and connection.
Dollars Raised
All dollars support local, no-cost programs and services for people living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia and their care partners.
Our Story
We began as an event in 2016, the first Mimosas for Memories, and grew year after year. When we added our second event, Cincy Brews for Brains in 2017, our yearly combined attendance grew to over 325. Reflecting on what inspired the creation of these events Dr. Gausvik says “even since my first job in assisted living at age 15, it has always been the stories of older adults that inspired me to go into medicine.” He continued, “the stealing of those stories and life experiences by Alzheimer’s is one of the greatest tragedies facing our society.” Giving Voice seeks to help give voice to tell these stolen stories through advocacy for improved care, education and storytelling efforts.
While amazing organizations are all working on this issue from different angles we believe that by building unique events in conjunction with advocacy and education efforts we can do something new. As a local grassroots organization, we believe inspiring cross-generational conversations can inspire solutions so we create these events to bring together people from around the city and from every age group. We also believe older adults need health and community advocates. Our founder Dr. Christian Gausvik believes physicians have a responsibility to use their voice to advocate for patients and help amplify the sometimes quiet voices of patients in today’s healthcare system. We believe education is how we fight problems. Above all we believe in telling the unique stories of older adults by amplifying their voices when those voices have been stolen by disease, poverty or isolation.
Our Brand
We know our branding represents our mission. The shape of our icon represents a brain and symbolizes our focus on Alzheimer’s, but also the intellectual cross-generational conversations we hope to cultivate and facilitate for years to come at our events. The tail of the icon represents a speech bubble and the advocacy and storytelling efforts that are key to our mission.
Christian & Cody
They are co-founders and partners in life. The two are committed to their Cincinnati community through their work with older adults. As avid foodies and party planners, fundraising is a natural pastime for the couple, but what is more important is their passion for helping others and bringing people together.
Dr. Christian Gausvik, MD
Board President & Founder
Local Cincinnati physician Dr. Christian Gausvik completed his medical school training at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and residency at The Christ Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program before continuing on to complete an additional Geriatric Fellowship at The Christ Hospital. Dr. Gausvik has published research on social isolation and health outcomes, interdisciplinary medical teams and improved communication. He has volunteered with the Alzheimer’s Association for over a decade, participated in global health trips to South America and received local and state awards for his leadership and advocacy activities.
Cody Gausvik
Board Vice-President & Treasurer
A local business professional and natural born leader with a passion for finding unique solutions to complex problems and getting things done. Cody is a graduate of the Lindner College of Business at the University of Cincinnati, former Secretary on the Oakley Community Council and award-winning Toastmaster. He is committed to the community he grew up in through his work with Giving Voice and other volunteer activities around the tristate.
GVF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
PO Box 27050, Cincinnati, OH 45227