Every thriving community needs strong nonprofit leaders.
On July 20, Cobb Community Foundation proudly celebrated the graduation of five exceptional nonprofit professionals who completed the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) program, a nationally recognized nonprofit management credential offered through Kennesaw State University in partnership with Cobb Community Foundation.
Over the past six months, these leaders balanced the day-to-day responsibilities of leading their organizations while investing in their own professional growth. Through coursework focused on fundraising, strategic planning, nonprofit operations, leadership, and board governance, they gained practical tools to strengthen their organizations and better serve our community.
But perhaps just as valuable were the relationships they built along the way.
Throughout the program, graduates found encouragement in one another, discovering that while each organization serves a different mission, they share many of the same opportunities and challenges. Together, they exchanged ideas, celebrated successes, and reminded one another that there is strength in diverse perspectives—and that when leaders come together with a shared commitment to serving others, great things can happen.
As part of the program, each participant also completed a strategic project tailored to an organizational priority. To help bring those projects to life, each graduate received a $5,000 unrestricted “Big Finish” grant from Cobb Community Foundation, providing flexible funding to help implement the ideas, initiatives, and organizational improvements developed throughout the program.
Congratulations to our 2026 Certified Nonprofit Professional graduates:
- Andy Gaines — Friends of The Strand / Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre
- Laura Kraus — The Marietta Schools Foundation
- Kristen Thompson — Marietta Mentoring for Leadership
- Carolyn Turner — HOPE Family Resource Center
- Jody Vane — Cobb Moms Helping Cobb
Meet the Graduates
The Certified Nonprofit Professional program reflects Cobb Community Foundation’s commitment to investing in the people behind our nonprofit organizations. Strong leadership creates stronger organizations, and stronger organizations create stronger communities.
We are incredibly proud of this year’s graduates and look forward to seeing how they continue to lead, innovate, and expand their impact across Cobb County.
Congratulations, Class of 2026! We can’t wait to see what you’ll accomplish next!
Learn more about our Certified Nonprofit Professional program here.