Cobb Community Foundation’s annual holiday giveathon returns Nov. 10 with its largest group of participating nonprofits yet.
We’re excited to announce that 31 Cobb County nonprofits have been selected to participate in Match Magic, Cobb Community Foundation’s annual local giveathon!
This is the largest group of nonprofits in Match Magic’s four-year history—and they were selected from a record 70 applicants, up from just over 50 in 2025. The growth reflects the increasing demand for a program designed to help local nonprofits build their fundraising capacity while bringing the Cobb community together to give.
A little Match Magic
Match Magic began in 2023 as the Cobb Thrives Gift Guide, a print and online catalog featuring specific year-end wishes from 30 local nonprofits. Community members responded with $71,000 in gifts.
But that first campaign revealed a bigger opportunity: What if a holiday campaign could help nonprofits raise not only money, but also visibility, stronger fundraising skills and relationships with new supporters?
In 2024, that idea became Match Magic.
Through Match Magic, CCF gives participating nonprofits the tools, visibility and financial incentives they need to amplify their year-end fundraising. Each organization leads its own campaign, with support from CCF that includes storytelling training and coaching, ready-to-use communications tools, a dedicated online giving page, a coordinated communitywide media campaign and a share of a Match Pool based on how much they raise.
And the results have been pretty magical.
In 2024, 25 participating organizations raised more than $703,000, with a $108,000 Match Pool bringing the total distributed to more than $811,000.
Then, in 2025, 27 organizations raised nearly $1.6 million—and with almost $138,000 in matching funds, the campaign generated $1,710,586 in just three weeks.
But Match Magic is about more than dollars raised. In 2025, 93% of participating nonprofits reported gaining new donors, 89% reached a new audience and 78% received larger gifts from existing supporters. Nearly nine in 10 said the time they invested was worth the exposure and donations they received.
Meet the 2026 Match Magic nonprofits
This year’s 31 participating organizations are working across Cobb County in areas including food security, housing, economic mobility, health care, mental wellness, youth development, animal welfare, the arts and tailored support for people facing distinct challenges.
Animal-Related
- Atlanta Humane Society & Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Arts, Culture & Humanities
- Friends of The Strand Inc./Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre
- Georgia Symphony Orchestra
Basic Needs
- 10 Women of Hope
- Cobb Moms Helping Cobb
- Family Life Restoration Center Inc.
- HOPE Family Resource Center
- Simple Needs GA
- The Salvation Army Metro Atlanta Area Command
- Tillman House Resource Center at First United Methodist Church of Smyrna
Economic Mobility
- Circles Cobb Inc.
- CobbWorks Inc.
- St. Vincent de Paul Georgia
Food Security
- BackPack Blessings Inc.
- Encompass Ministries Inc.
- PORCH Marietta
Healthcare and Mental Wellness
- Aloha To Aging Inc.
- Cumberland Counseling Centers
- Good Samaritan Health Center of Cobb Inc.
- HHH Equine Inc.
- The Extension
Housing
- Family Promise of Cobb County
- Emmanuel’s Village by Passion with Purpose Inc.
Public & Societal Benefit
- Blue Thanksgiving
- Chattahoochee National Parks Conservancy
Tailored Support
- Georgia Kids Belong
- LiveSafe Resources Inc.
- Special Needs Cobb
- Waymark
Youth Development
- Four Corners Group Inc.
- Youth Empowerment through Learning, Leading and Serving Inc. (YELLS)
How the community can get involved
The 2026 Match Magic campaign opens Nov. 10 and runs through 11:59 p.m. Dec. 1—GivingTuesday and GA Gives Day.
Beginning Nov. 10, donors can support any of the 31 participating organizations through its Match Magic page, with gifts potentially increased by a share of the Match Pool.
Before that companies and donors can also contribute directly to the Match Pool(opens in new tab), helping leverage the gifts made by hundreds of people across Cobb.
And the Match Pool is already growing. The 2026 pool has reached close to $160,000 toward CCF’s $200,000 goal, thanks to generous lead donors and community supporters.
The Atlanta Braves and Walton Communities Apartment Homes have each contributed $50,000 as lead Match Pool donors. Genuine Parts Company has contributed $25,000, and S.A. White Oil Company has contributed $20,000. Another kind of generosity makes the platform itself possible. Stephen W. “Steve” Imler is personally underwriting the expenses associated with the campaign, including printing, mailing and paid social media. His support allows donated Match Pool dollars to remain available to increase the contributions raised by participating nonprofits. The community’s gifts to participating nonprofits and the Match Pool are the heart of Match Magic.
We’re so excited to cheer on these 31 organizations as they share their stories, connect with new supporters and invite our community to give.
Congratulations to the 31 nonprofits participating in Match Magic 2026! We can’t wait to see what Cobb can make possible together.
More information about Match Magic and the participating organizations will be available at cobbfoundation.org as Nov. 10 approaches.
To learn more about how our 2025 giveathon shattered all expectations, click here(opens in new tab).
Media Coverage:
31 nonprofits selected for 2026 Match Magic – Marietta Daily Journal, September 4, 2026
Pictures:
Match Magic 2025 Gift Guide Cover
Match Magic check presentation to top fundraiser, Car Care Ministry
Match Pool lead donors for 2025
Match Pool lead donors for 2026
