2023 Cobb EMC Foundation Impact Report

2023 COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT

A Decade of Empowering Our Community

The Cobb EMC Foundation stands as a testament to our community’s collective spirit of giving. Our mission is to assess the financial needs of charitable organizations and allocate available funds to the benefit of the community and the members we serve.

Our approach is rooted in understanding that every dollar counts, and every decision we make has the potential to create lasting impact. Through this mission, we strive to strengthen our community and uplift those in need.

Operation Round Up Small Change Powers Big Change At the heart of the Cobb EMC Foundation is Operation Round Up, a program built on the belief that small change can yield big impact.

For 10 years, Cobb EMC members have been rounding up their bill each month, contributing to a pool of funds that support charitable organizations that serves members within our five-county service area.

Your annual gift may seem small, but when combined with the contributions of your neighbors, it becomes a powerful force for good.

$6.00

Average Annual Gift Per Member

2

2023 Community Impact Report

$11.88

Maximum Annual Gift Per Member

Cobb EMC Foundation Board The Cobb EMC Foundation board, composed of ten members residing in the Cobb EMC service area, oversees the distribution of these funds. As a third-party foundation separate from Cobb EMC, decisions are made based on the availability of funds and the potential community impact of requests.

The Cobb EMC Foundation Board (l to r): Back Row: Cathy Lane, John Golemo, Marlon Longacre (on Stool) Betsy Wade, Paul Letalien, Michele Sutcliffe, John Umphlett (on stool), David Tyler; Front Row: Heather Trainor, Diane Parker

Your Contributions in Action Every dollar contributed through Operation Round Up goes directly to supporting nonprofits that are making a difference in our community. Whether it’s providing meals for those in need, offering educational opportunities, or supporting local arts and culture, your contributions are rounding up hope, opportunity, and possibility for countless individuals within our community.

2023 Total Impact

$914,715 Total Awarded

267

Organizations

Thank you for your continued support and for proving that together, we can make a big impact!

2023 Community Impact Report

3

Public Safety

Jobs

Environment

Philanthropy

Health Education, Schools and Literacy

Arts & Culture

Housing & Shelter

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF IMPACT! Human Services

Families, Children and Youth

4

2023 Community Impact Report

Since 2013, Members Have Contributed $8.6+ Million To Benefit 1,068 Nonprofits

SPOTLIGHT

Beyond Limits Therapeutic Riding Empowering Lives Through Equine Therapy Beyond Limits Therapeutic Riding uses the transformative power of equine therapy to enrich the lives of children and adults with special needs. Their mission is as noble as it is necessary: they encourage their riders to reach beyond limits, fostering physical, developmental, psychological, and social growth through therapeutic horseback riding.

In 2023, the organization faced a devastating setback when a catastrophic barn fire destroyed everything they had built over the past decade. But their resilient spirit shone through and they swiftly moved their horses to a temporary location, ensuring the continuity of their services. The grant funds awarded played a critical role in this effort, enabling them to continue subsidizing therapy sessions and offering full scholarships to riders who would otherwise have been unable to participate in their life-changing program.

“In the face of adversity, the Cobb EMC Foundation’s grant was a lifeline that enabled us to continue our mission. Without the generous contributions of members, we would not be able to impact the local special needs community in the way that we have. Thank you for rounding up!”

Dr. Kimberly Oviedo | Founder/Executive Director, Beyond Limits Therapeutic Riding

Operation Round Up 2023 Impact

1 Donated Horse Snickers is a barn favorite, who provides approximately 10 lessons per week, or roughly 1/3 of all lessons!

1,594

Lessons Provided/yr (subsidized by the Cobb EMC Foundation)

9

Therapy Horses Total (Started with 1 horse!)

2023 Community Impact Report

5

SPOTLIGHT

Kidz2Leaders Breaking the Cycle of Incarceration

Serving more than 200 community families, Kidz2Leaders (K2L) provides stability, opportunity, and a Christian community for children of inmates. With an unwavering mission to break the cycle of generational incarceration, their decade-long continuum of programming guides these children towards a life of self-sufficiency, joy, and success.

The grant funds received were instrumental in supporting K2L’s expanding year-round opportunities, enabling the organization to extend its impact and provide more children with the tools and support needed to rise above their circumstances and rewrite their future.

Kidz2Leaders stands as a testament to the power of opportunity, commitment, and transformative programming, proving that with the right support, every child can become a leader.

“We are so thankful for our partnership with the Cobb EMC Foundation and their ongoing support to help make a difference in the lives of the families in our community.”

Dan Komitor | Development Director, Kidz2Leaders

Operation Round Up 2023 Impact

Organization’s Overall Impact

99%

of alumni live incarceration-free

84%

Pursued postsecondary education

225

Cobb Families Served 6

2023 Community Impact Report

475+

Family Members Served

1,600

Individuals Served

82%

Live without government support

SPOTLIGHT

Reflections of Trinity Ensuring No Family Goes Hungry Since 2003, Reflections of Trinity has worked tirelessly to transform lives in our community.

With a mission rooted in compassion, service and Christ, they strive to meet basic needs by distributing food to those who need it most.

In the past year alone, Reflections of Trinity has served an astounding 84,894 individuals and 30,647 families across 45 counties in Georgia with a concentrated impact in Cobb, Douglas, Paulding, Clayton and Fulton counties.

During their 2023 Thanksgiving outreach, they served over 1,100 cars and distributed a staggering 230,000 pounds of food— all in four hours!

We are proud that the grant funds from the Cobb EMC Foundation have played a pivotal role in enabling Reflections of Trinity to continue their essential work.

“We are grateful to the Cobb EMC Foundation for their generous support, which has been instrumental in our mission to ensure no family in our community goes hungry. Their contribution is more than a donation; it represents a shared commitment to compassion and service, making a tangible difference in the lives of the thousands we serve.”

Laurie Wong | Founder and CEO, Reflections of Trinity

Operation Round Up 2023 Impact

84,894 Individuals Served

4M lbs

Food Distributed

Refle Trinit ctions of appr y has serv oxim ed peop ately 7,00 le a 0 since month 2019 !

Organization’s Overall Impact

585,000 17M lbs Individuals Served

Food Distributed

2023 Community Impact Report

7

SPOTLIGHT

Saving Lives America A Lifeline in Our Community Understanding the importance of preparedness, Saving Lives America is dedicated to equipping first responders with life-saving Stop-the-Bleeding kits. These kits are ingeniously designed to keep victims alive until EMS arrives on the scene, providing crucial moments that often mean the difference between life and death.

They have touched hundreds of lives in the past two years, empowering first responders with the tools needed during emergency situations. Saving Lives America’s goal is to have a kit in the hands of each first responder in the entire Cobb EMC service area. The organization is also proud to collaborate with Cobb EMC to supply custom kits designed to address the unique safety requirements of electrical-related emergencies.

Saving Lives America’s work is a poignant reminder of the power of preparedness. In a world where emergencies are unpredictable, Saving Lives America is making sure that readiness isn’t.

“We estimate that many lives have been saved with the kits that Operation Round Up has generously sponsored. On behalf of our team, our dedicated first responders and those who have been given a second chance at life, thank you to all Cobb EMC members and the Foundation. You’re truly helping save lives!”

Tim O’Neil | Founder, Saving Lives America

1,200

Kits Deployed in Cobb EMC’s Service Area

3,000

Total Kits Deployed Across 3 States 2023 Community Impact Report

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SPOTLIGHT

Students Without Mothers Empowering the Future

Students Without Mothers serves as source of hope and resilience for high school students who have tragically lost their mothers due to death or unfortunate circumstances. This inspiring organization provides scholarships for collegebound high school students, empowering them to overcome personal tragedy and pursue a college education. Thanks to the grant funds received from Operation Round Up, the organization was able to extend its scholarship support to even more students in Cobb County in 2023.

But Students Without Mothers doesn’t just stop at providing scholarships. They continue to journey alongside students throughout their college years, consistently checking in to ensure they’re thriving and benefiting from the program. Upon graduation, these students are encouraged to give back to the program through financial aid or volunteering, creating a cycle of support and inspiration.

“Through our mission and scholarship program, Students Without Mothers is changing lives. We are grateful to Operation Round Up and all of the Cobb EMC members for their generous support. With your help, we’re opening doors to bright futures.”

Mary Torrence Williams | Founder/Executive Director, Students Without Mothers

Operation Round Up 2023 Impact

Since 2019, students have made the largest gains (43-63%) in: ▹ Decision-Making ▹ Self-Defeating Behaviors ▹ Self-Discovery

122

Total Scholarship Recipients 10

2023 Community Impact Report

▹ Social Engagement/Etiquette ▹ Choosing a College/Major

Illuminating Paths to Success

Previous Cobb EMC Community Foundation Scholarship Recipients

Each year, we proudly award 14 exceptional high school seniors, who call the Cobb EMC service area home, with the Cobb EMC Foundation Scholarship.

Each scholarship is $5,000 and provides a financial springboard that may be used at accredited colleges, universities, or vocational-technical institutions of the recipient’s choosing.

This investment in education underscores our ongoing commitment to fostering the growth and development of future leaders within our community.

Do you know a deserving student on the verge of higher education?

Encourage them to seize this opportunity for academic advancement. For complete details and application procedures, candidates are invited to visit www.cobbemc.com/foundationedu.

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2023 Grant Recipients 1 Little Meal Inc

Blue Thanksgiving Inc

Connecting Generations - STFCC

10 Women of Hope

Boss Kids, Inc

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America

100 Black Men

Boy Scouts of America

Davis Direction Foundation

911 Memorial Ride

Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta

Destiny’s Daughters of Promise

2MyPlace

Brookwood Christian School

Devereux Center

Abundant Living Foundation

Bullock Foundation

Down 7 Up 8 Inc

Act Together Ministries

Caleb’s Cup

Elite Women of Excellence

Adult Disability Medical Healthcare

Calvary Children’s Home

Elm Street Cultural Arts

Adventure Bags

Camp Big Heart

Advocates for Bartow’s Children, Inc

Camp Dream Foundation

Encompass Ministries (Previously Papas Pantry)

ALS Association of Georgia

Camp Kudzu, Inc

Aloha To Aging Inc

Camp Puzzle

Alzheimer and Dementia Foundation

Camp Trach Me Away

Alzheimers Association

Camp Twin Lakes

American Cancer Society

Celebrate Life International

American Foundation for Suicide

Center for Children and Young Adults

American Red Cross

Center for Family Resources

Angel House of Georgia

Chattahoochee National Park Concervancy

Animals Deserve Better, Inc DBA Paws for Life USA

Essential2Life Etowah Scholarship Foundation Facing Adverse Challenges Everyday Socially Family Alliance of Paulding County Family Life Restoration Center F.A.S.K.I.A. Friends and Sisters Keepers In Action Fellowship of Christian Athletes Ferst Readers of Cobb County

Artsbridge Foundation

Cherokee Co Education Foundation

Artz for the Harp Corp

Cherokee Makerspace, Inc

Atlanta Angels

Children’s Development Academy

Atlanta Food Bank

Children’s Haven

Atlanta Growing Leadership of Women “Glow”

Circles Cobb

Foster Siblings Reunited DBA camp to belong

Circuit Runners Robotics

Four Corners

Clubhouse of Atlanta

Friends of Cherokee County Library

Cobb Christmas

Friends of Disabled Adults with Children

Cobb Collaborative Inc

GA Lions Camp for the Blind

Cobb Community Foundation (Cobb Children’s fund)

Garments of Grace

Atlanta Lyric Theatre Atlanta Youth Tennis & Education Foundation Auditory Verbal Center Aviation History and Technology Center Bagel Rescue Bald Nation Rocks Be THE Voice BEATS, Inc Bethany Christian Services Bethany Place Bethesda Community Clinic Better Day Givings Beyond Beautiful Blessings Beyond Limits Therapeutic Riding Bless Coalition 12

Chattachoochee Tech College Foundation

Erin’s Hope for Friends

2023 Community Impact Report

Cobb County 4-H Cobb County FOP Charities (Previously Kermit S Sanders Lodge 13) Cobb County Public Schools Education Foundation Cobb County Safety Village Foundation Cobb County Youth Museum Cobb Moms Helping Cobb, Inc Cobb Police Athletic League Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation Communities in Schools of Marietta/ Cobb County

Fitfully Forward FOCUS Foster Care Support Foundation

Georgia Association of Conservation Georgia Community Support and Solutions Georgia Kids Belong Georgia National Cemetery Advisory Council Georgia Philharmonic Georgia Police K9 Foundation Georgia Preschool Association Georgia Symphony Orchestra Georgia Transplant Foundation Gift of Music Foundation

Giving Kitchen

Make-A-Wish Georgia

Sheltering Arms

Good Mews Animal Foundation

Marietta Cobb Museum of Art

Sheltering Grace Ministry

Good Samaritan Health Center of Cobb

Marietta Fire Fighters Support Fund

Sirens Project, Inc

Good Shepherd Farming Education and Outreach, Inc

Marietta Police Athletic League

Skye Precious Kids

Master Gardeners Volunteers

Smith-Gilbert Gardens Foundation

McKenna Farms

Smyrna Public Safety Foundation

Men Elevating Men

Sober Streets Inc.

Miracle Foundation of Arts and Academics

Special Needs Cobb

HHH Equine, Inc. Habitat for Humanity North Central GA

MUST Ministries

Habitat for Humanity Northwest

New Tenth Foundation

Haven of Help

New Transition to Success, Inc

Helping One Guy

Next Step Ministries, Inc

Helping Other People be Empowered DBA H.O.P.E., Inc

Nobis Works

Goshen Valley Foundation Great Prospects Greater Wealth Works (Prev. The Edge)

Henry Arthur Callis Ed Foundation HIS CAMP dba Camp Gideon Homestretch, Inc Hopedealers Worldwide iHoop Factory, Inc It Starts With Me 2 International Association of African Authors and Scholars Jess Rousey Honoring Heroes Junior Achievement of Georgia Kates Club, Inc. Kennesaw Museum Foundation Inc Kennesaw State University Foundation Kidz2Leaders Inc KidsPeace National Centers KOS Inc. La Amistad Inc Lake Allatoona Association Laurel’s Edge Lekotek of Georgia Life Circle 72 LIFT2 Enrich, Inc Lifelearning Community Center Live 2 Create Foundation Network LiveSafe Resources (formerly YWCA) Loving Arms Cancer Outreach Inc MDE School of East Cobb

Operation Appreciation Optimize The Vizion Our Giving Garden Papayago Rescue House Paulding Child Advocacy Center Paulding County 4-H Pearls of Esther PORCH Marietta Positive American Youth Power of Peace Initiative Project Keep’em Off the Streets Rachel’s Gift Inc Reflections of Trinity Revved Up Kids RISE Employee Fund Inc Rise Up Road Trip Home Animal Rescue Safe America Foundation SAFE Place SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center Salvation Army Saving Lives America Second Helpings Atlanta Ser Familia, Inc Serenade Heights Service League of Cherokee Cty

Special Needs Development Group Special Needs Respite, Inc Special Olympics of Georgia St Vincent De Paul STING Inc. Strides Horse Park TEMS Students Without Mothers Sunshine on a Ranney Day Sweetwater Mission Tahirih Justice Center The Drake House The Extension The STEAM Generation, Inc Timothy’s Cupboard Together We Care Top Dogg K9 Foundation Transformations by Atlanta Angels Unite Homeschool Support Network Upper Etowah River Alliance Urban League of Greater Atlanta Vision Rehabilitation Services of Ga VISIONful Communities Waymark (Kids Cubed) We Thrive Riverside Renters Association Wellspring Living Wellstar Foundation Wildlife Action Inc Women in Technology Young Women Crush Cancer Youth Villages ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer Zion Keepers, Inc

Share the Love Outreach Organization, Inc 2023 Community Impact Report

13

The Cobb EMC Foundation administers Operation Round Up funds to local nonprofits with outreach programs benefiting members in Cobb EMC’s service area, which includes Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Fulton and Paulding counties.

For more information and testimonials, please visit cobbemc.com/foundation.