$50,000 GRANT AWARDED TO COBB SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, United Way Greater Atlanta Award $50,000 Grant to Cobb Schools Foundation

POSTED BY: NAN KIEL MAY 12, 2020

The Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, a joint effort from Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and United Way of Greater Atlanta recently announced that the Cobb Schools Foundation will receive $50,000 as part of the Fund’s sixth round of grants.

“We are very grateful for the outpouring of support from the community and organizations like the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and United Way of Greater Atlanta. Due to COVID-19, the needs of our students have changed and it will take our entire community coming together to meet those needs,” said Cobb Schools Superintendent Chris Ragsdale.

To date, the Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund has raised more than $25 million through collective resources and have provided funds for areas of greatest need and the most vulnerable populations.

This sixth round of grants total $5.3 million and will be distributed to 245 organizations, including the Cobb Schools Foundation, in response to the region’s needs as a result of COVID-19. A grand total of more than $17.3 million from the Fund has been mobilized to benefit 320 nonprofits thus far.

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools across Cobb to shutter their doors and transition to digital learning, the Cobb Schools Foundation quickly responded by launching a campaign to put digital devices in the hands of students in need.

Thanks to the community’s support and donations to the Foundation’s campaign, family after family—hundreds—pulled through the Osborne High School parking lot to pick up their free learning device.

“Thank you so much for coming through during a time of desperation and need for our next generation to proceed with their education and not feel so disconnected,” praised one mother of four who picked up a device for her sons.

That is the type of assistance the Cobb Schools Foundation will be able to continue to provide with the help of the recent grant.

“The Foundation is so fortunate to have received this generous gift from the Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund,” said Felicia Wagner, Executive Director of Cobb Schools Foundation. “So many supporters in Georgia have been intentional in supporting families severely affected by the pandemic and their support allows us to address barriers that get in the way of learning. These funds will go directly towards helping Cobb students reclaim their opportunity for the best education and, ultimately, a bright future.”

Help the Cobb Schools Foundation take student success to the next level by visiting http://cobbschoolsfoundation.org/ to make a donation.

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Gerald Shelton Perseverance Award

By Kiara Garcia • March 11, 2026

Gerald Shelton Perseverance Scholarship A Memorial Tribute Honoring the Life of Gerald Shelton Gerald Shelton was a man defined by kindness, quiet strength, and a deep belief in the power of education. Throughout his life, he treated others with generosity and respect, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. For ten years, Mr. Shelton faced the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease with remarkable perseverance. Even as the disease progressed, the love and dedication he inspired in his family remained constant. His journey became a powerful example of resilience, patience, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Mr. Shelton believed that education opens doors and creates opportunities. He valued learning not only for the knowledge it provides, but for the confidence and determination it builds in young people as they shape their futures. A Legacy of Perseverance In honor of Gerald Shelton’s life and the perseverance he demonstrated during his battle with Alzheimer’s disease, the Cobb Schools Foundation is proud to establish the Gerald Shelton Perseverance Scholarship . This scholarship reflects the values Mr. Shelton lived by — resilience, determination, and the belief that education can help students overcome obstacles and reach their goals. The Gerald Shelton Perseverance Scholarship will support students who demonstrate the courage to keep moving forward when life becomes difficult. It celebrates young people who show determination, strength of character, and commitment to continue pursuing their education despite challenges. Continuing His Legacy Through this scholarship, Gerald Shelton’s legacy will live on in the lives of students who embody the same perseverance he showed throughout his life. Each recipient will carry forward his spirit of resilience — proving that when challenges arise, perseverance can lead the way to opportunity and hope. We are deeply grateful to Joy Doss, President of the Cobb Schools Foundation, and her family for honoring her daddy's life in a way that will inspire and support students for generations to come.