As housing insecurity continues to challenge families across the Southeast, the Cooper Charitable Foundation is expanding its mission to Atlanta with the goal of launching its housing stability grant program in early 2027.

Founded in Raleigh to help individuals and families secure and remain in stable housing, the Foundation partners with local non-profits to close critical funding gaps that often determine whether someone can access housing or stay housed. Since it began its grants program in June 2024, the Foundation has helped house 279 people, including 135 children, in the Raleigh region.

The Foundation was created by John Cooper, the founder and CEO of Cooper Tacia General Contracting, which opened a Division Office in Atlanta two years ago. The foundation’s expansion reflects Cooper Tacia’s commitment to give back to the communities it serves.

To lead the Foundation’s work in Atlanta, the organization has appointed Kathy Colbenson as Associate Executive Director for the region. Colbenson brings more than 40 years of non-profit leadership experience to the role. She retired at the end of 2024 as the CEO of CHRIS 180, an organization that provides behavioral health services, foster care, community services and a supportive housing program that helps children, adults and families. Additionally, she is a licensed marriage and family therapist who shares a passion for the Cooper Foundation’s mission. 

“Housing stability is foundational to health, safety and opportunity,” says Colbenson. “Atlanta has a strong non-profit housing ecosystem. My focus is on working in partnership with the community to strengthen these efforts so that families can secure and remain housed, supported and have a chance to build a better life.”

Colbenson will work alongside Executive Director Mary-Ann Baldwin, who served as Raleigh Mayor for five years and on the City Council for a decade. During her tenure, she was a fierce advocate for housing affordability and choice, leading efforts to create Oak City Cares, a multi-service center that is a national model for serving the unsheltered, as well as bringing forward a historic bond to fund affordable housing and changing zoning laws to allow for more housing development.

In addition to guiding the Foundation’s expansion into Atlanta, Colbenson will focus on creating  strategic partnerships, establishing an Advisory Board to guide the Foundation’s work, helping with potential donor relationships, and amplifying awareness of the Foundation’s work and impact throughout the region. The Foundation works with  trusted non-profit partners already delivering effective services, using housing stability grants to close gaps without duplicating existing efforts.

Kathy’s headshot is attached here.