From staff reports

Alicia Philipp, president of The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and a member of the Rotary Club of Atlanta, spoke to the Rotary Club of Canton on Tuesday about philanthropy in metro Atlanta.

Philipp shared insights about philanthropy, community involvement and civic engagement in Cherokee County and the metro Atlanta region, as well as what community leaders can do to improve the local community.

The Community Foundation connects donors and nonprofits together to make positive community change through philanthropy in the 23-county metro Atlanta region.

The Community Foundation and its donors are interested and invested in Cherokee County, she told the club.

“The Rotary Club serves as a wonderful example of bringing committed individuals together, business and professional leaders, to be the change they want to see in the community,” Phillip said. “They help make a positive difference in Cherokee County. Their motto ‘service over self’ represents exactly what will help strengthen and move this region further and the people who live in it.”

The Foundation’s investment includes grantmaking and relationship building that has led to partnerships positively impacting people and places in Cherokee County.

Since 2000, The Community Foundation and its donors have invested more than $2 million dollars in Cherokee County to strengthen its nonprofit organizations. This represents 131 gifts and grants to 36 nonprofits.

Examples include:

— The Hickory Flat Fire Department received $5,000 to fund the purchase of five new Scott self-contained breathing apparatus systems,

— Cherokee County DUI/Drug Treatment Court received $20,000 in general operating support,

n Canton-Cherokee Triad and Seniors and Law Enforcement Together Council received $17,000 to support its emergency aid fund project for seniors and the Vital Life program.

Through The Community Foundation’s Common Good Funds, the organization’s largest grant program, Cherokee Child Advocacy Council received $20,000 to partially fund a parent mentor position.

CASA for Children Inc. also received a $20,000 Common Good Funds grant to support the salary of a new volunteer coordinator.

During her presentation, Philipp shared with Rotarians information about an in-depth study commissioned by the Community Foundation to track the investment and engagement of residents in the 23-county metro Atlanta area around four key areas: community involvement, philanthropic giving, volunteerism and public policy involvement.

“I see a glass that is half full,” Philipp said. “It is terrific that an overwhelming majority of metro Atlantans are generous and interested in helping improve quality of life in the community. I challenge even more residents to get involved in the nonprofits and neighborhood organizations that are addressing needs in your community.”

With approximately $755 million in assets, The Community Foundation strengthens the counties it serves in the Atlanta region by providing quality services to donors and innovative leadership on community issues.

In 2012, the Foundation awarded nearly $95 million in grants to nonprofits and faith-based organizations locally, nationally and internationally. For more information visit www.cfgreateratlanta.org.