Dave Stockert and Cammie Ives: A Purposeful Approach to Philanthropy 

For Dave Stockert and Cammie Ives, philanthropy is about relationships, community, and creating meaningful impact in the place they call home. 

Over the years, the Stockert/Ives have supported dozens of nonprofit organizations across metro Atlanta, building connections with leaders and causes that reflect their interest in strengthening the community. Through their donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta (CFGA), they’ve found a way to make their giving more intentional and deeply connected to the places and people they hope to serve. 

“We regularly support 20 or 25 organizations,” Dave said. “There are so many worthy organizations in Atlanta doing good work. We tend to support organizations and leaders we’ve gotten to know and respect over time.” 

Dave’s connection to the Foundation began through years of civic engagement in Atlanta. As the former CEO of Post Properties, he became involved in the city’s business and civic communities through organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Grady Health System, the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Central Atlanta Progress, Westside Future Fund and the Buckhead Coalition, to name a few. Those relationships eventually led him to serve on the Foundation’s Board of Directors beginning in 2016. 

While he had already established a donor-advised fund elsewhere, serving on the board gave him a closer look at the Foundation’s unique role in Atlanta’s philanthropic landscape. 

“I want CFGA to be strong because it’s an important organization in Atlanta,” Dave said. “It can bridge gaps and fosters relationships. It brings together people who want to do good work and make things happen.” 

For Dave and Cammie, the Foundation offers something larger than transactional giving. It provides connection — both to the nonprofit organizations doing transformative work and to other civic-minded people invested in Atlanta’s future. 

“What the Community Foundation can do that others can’t is provide a personal touch,” Dave said. “It makes philanthropy more tactile, local and human.”

That local focus matters deeply to the Stockert/Ives. Their giving priorities are rooted in Atlanta, aligning naturally with CFGA’s mission and regional expertise. 

Dave also credits donor-advised funds with changing the way he thinks about philanthropy altogether. 

“It changed my mindset around philanthropy,” he said. “It became more forward-thinking and more fun instead of just responding to requests one at a time.” 

Rather than reacting to individual appeals throughout the year, the Stockert/Ives approach giving proactively — making thoughtful decisions about how much they want to dedicate to philanthropy annually and then intentionally investing those resources where they believe they can make the greatest impact. 

“Our donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation makes it possible for us to be more purposeful and mindful with our giving,” Dave said. “It allows us to direct our philanthropy where we believe it can be really helpful.” 

As longtime civic leaders and advocates for Atlanta’s future, Dave and Cammie also recognize the challenge many donors face navigating a nonprofit landscape filled with thousands of deserving organizations. 

“In Atlanta, there are so many organizations doing great work,” Dave said. “Whatever it is in your heart that you’d like to help with, somebody is out there doing it and doing it well. Having a partner like the Community Foundation can introduce donors to organizations they might not otherwise have discovered.” 

For Dave, philanthropy is ultimately about connecting resources with heart and expertise — bringing together people who want to help with organizations that know how to create lasting change. “Connecting good fortune with people who know how to use it to improve the lives of others — that’s what the Community Foundation does so well.”