New “Be Somebody” fund will award $1,000 grants to Marietta graduates

Marietta, GA – Marietta City Schools (MCS) and the Cobb Community Foundation (CCF) have announced a new partnership to award Marietta High School graduates grants through the “Be Somebody” Savings Program. Starting with the Class of 2029, students who meet annual academic, attendance, discipline, and checkpoint requirements throughout high school will be eligible to receive up to $1,000 from a new Field of Interest Fund at CCF. Information about this program will be shared with MHS families in the fall.

“When we say ‘Be Somebody,’ we mean it,” said Kim Blass, MCS Chief Impact Officer. “This investment tells every Marietta student: we see you, we believe in you, and we’re willing to walk with you toward your future. By removing some financial barriers, we will help create a path forward and open doors they may not have thought possible.”

Funding for the program will come from contributions to Georgia’s PEACH Education Tax Credit program as well as direct donations to the Cobb Community Foundation. Georgia's PEACH Education Tax Credit, previously known as the Qualified Education Donation tax credit, provides taxpayers with a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on their Georgia state income taxes, allowing them to apply their tax dollars to support innovation in Georgia’s K-12 public schools. 

“We’re honored to join forces with Marietta City Schools to launch a savings incentive that will have a lasting impact on students’ lives,” said Shari Martin, CEO of the Cobb Community Foundation. “By leveraging the power of charitable giving and the PEACH Education Tax Credit, we’re building a bridge for Marietta High graduates to step confidently into college or career pathways.”

The Cobb Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that uses the power of charitable giving and its role as a community catalyst to help everyone in and around Cobb County thrive.