Local construction company raises $1.26M to benefit Cobb charities

Jan. 7—Choate Construction Company, an Atlanta-based construction company that has completed several projects throughout Cobb County, has recently launched Building Up, a philanthropy identity and program on the heels of raising $1.26 million in charitable funds in 2021 alone.

"There is so much good happening here at Choate, we needed a way to capture and convey it all in one unified, identifiable name. Building Up now represents our collective mission to strengthen our communities through giving," Matt Brewer, President & CEO of Choate Construction, said in a statement. "Through every act of service and dollar raised, our employee-owners embody Choate's core value of Stewardship and exemplify what it means to truly Build Up a community."

The charity efforts by Choate will benefit several local nonprofits, including MUST Ministries, a Cobb County-based volunteer organization dedicated to helping homeless and struggling individuals and families with food, clothing, housing, employment and other needs. Donations will also benefit Homestretch, a program in Roswell that helps homeless families toward permanent housing and lasting stability, and Street Grace, a Norcross faith-based organization dedicated to eradicating the commercial sexual exploitation of children, both of which also serve Cobb.

Choate is behind several local improvement projects, having just completed the renovation for the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, and contributed to building for Cobb EMC, the Battery Atlanta, Silverspot Cinema at the Battery, Kennesaw State University, Comcast Regional Headquarters and Wellstar Kennestone hospital.

From companywide philanthropic initiatives to local, community-centered support, Choate's employee-owners have heeded the call to "Build Up" their neighbors. In addition to the significant amount of contributions made to 501c3s through sponsorship, donations and their Matching Gifts program, Choate has also taken philanthropy into their own hands through the creation of their own events, inspired by the concept of "passion fundraising."

Cars & 'Q for the Cause, a charity car show supporting longtime Choate beneficiary The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, was crafted by Choate in 2009. To date, the show has raised over $2.6 million and in its lifetime, Choate offices have raised more than $6 million for the CF Foundation. Similarly, BuildStrong, a family-friendly festival supporting AutismStrong, raised $326,000 in its inaugural 2021 year.

Beyond the monetary impact of Building Up, Choate employee-owners have dedicated countless hours volunteering to pack thousands of lunches for Meals on Wheels Atlanta, providing holiday gifts alongside Bright Futures and more.

"We are so blessed, as individuals and as a company, to have the opportunity to shepherd the resources available to us in ways that carry real impact," Founder and Chairman Millard Choate said in a statement. "Compassion for others and a passion to enact real change has always been a part of who we are, and the result of that spirit is clear to see."

Choate Construction Company is a general contractor with offices in Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Nashville, Raleigh, and Savannah. Founded in 1989, 100% employee-owned Choate Construction specializes in both ground-up and interior construction.