Bob was one of many servant leaders who lived, worked, worshipped, played, and raised a family in Cabarrus County over the last several decades. These business and community leaders were influenced and mentored by the generations before them and were taught to identify needs in the community and to act by supporting nonprofit causes to address the greatest needs in the community.

Mr. Bratton’s story and connection to Cabarrus County is a fitting example of this generational commitment to the community. In 1974, fresh from his stint at a CPA firm in Charlotte, Bratton was hired by Lester Durrett “Bub” Coltrane III to work at the Concord National Bank. This marked the beginning of a transformative period in Bratton’s life, one where he would not only learn the intricacies of banking but also the importance of community stewardship.

Bub Coltrane, a fourth-generation leader of the Concord National Bank and prominent figure in Cabarrus County, was more than just a businessperson; he was a community steward. Mr. Coltrane was the nephew of Ruth C. Cannon, the spouse of Charles A. Cannon, the President and CEO of Cannon Mills. Earlier in his career, Coltrane was amongst a group of young leaders in the community who regularly attended dinner gatherings at Charles Cannon’s home. After each dinner, the guests would retire to the parlor where Mr. Cannon would engage the young leaders in discussions about the needs of the community. This was the birthplace of many of the county’s services and organizations that worked to make Cabarrus County a better place to live. Mr. Cannon and his guests talked about needs, then took action.

“What has been fascinating has been the people like Bub who went to Mr. Cannon’s house and were mentored by him to think about the community because they lived, worked, worshiped, and played here,” says Bratton. “They were not just good businessmen, they had moral fiber, character, and concern for their community. These folks went on to became servant leaders in Cabarrus County.”

The gatherings at Mr. Cannon’s served as incubators for ideas and initiatives that would go on to shape Cabarrus County for generations. They also helped shape the lessons Bub Coltrane would go on to teach Bob Bratton about the power of community and collaboration. Bratton has taken this model to heart in his work with the Greater Cabarrus Foundation. He recognizes that the challenges facing the community today—such as food insecurity, housing instability, and access to healthcare—require the same kind of collaborative, grassroots approach that worked so well in the past.

Continuing the Commitment to Caring for Community

Bob Bratton’s gratitude, passion, and love of his community is palpable, and it is this appreciation that drove him to spearhead the establishment of the Greater Cabarrus Foundation. For Bratton, the question has always been: “What can we do to make this community better?” This ethos has guided Bratton’s work with the Greater Cabarrus Foundation, ensuring that every dollar raised, and every decision made is dedicated to improving the lives of those in Cabarrus County.

In a time when several community organizations have been absorbed by larger, out-of-town entities, Bratton’s resolve to keep philanthropic efforts in Cabarrus County is both timely and necessary. When these organizations are operated in the community they serve, there is an inherent understanding and commitment to the area’s well-being.

Bratton saw the impact of this shift firsthand. The once-thriving ecosystem of community-led philanthropy is now struggling to meet the needs of the county’s rapidly growing population. Rising demand for nonprofit services, driven by factors like economic downturn, inflation, and population growth, made it clear that a different approach was needed. Bratton understood that to meet these challenges, there needed to be a community foundation based in Cabarrus County that is committed to keeping resources local—a foundation built on the principles of those who had come before him.

A Call to Action: Investing in Cabarrus County’s Future

At the heart of Bob Bratton’s work is a simple but powerful belief: that the best way to honor the legacy of those who came before us and care for the community we call home is to invest in making it a great place for everyone to live and thrive.

Bratton’s story and motivation is not about personal accolades or recognition. It is about a belief in the power of community, in the importance of local servant leadership, and in the enduring impact that can be made when people come together to address the needs of their neighbors. It is about ensuring that the money raised here stays here, that the people who benefit are those who live in Cabarrus County, and that the legacy of giving and caring continues to thrive.

According to Bob Bratton, “I feel an obligation to the pass on the legacy started by Charles A. Cannon which he then passed on to Bub Coltrane, who in turn passed it on to me.” Those of us who live in Cabarrus County know that it is a special place, where people care about one another and work together to solve our collective challenges. This tradition, which may have begun with Mr. Cannon, is a key thread in our strong community fabric.

This obligation Bratton felt to be a servant leader manifested itself in his vision to create the Greater Cabarrus Foundation, the community foundation for those who live, pray, and work in Cabarrus County, and those who wish to invest collaboratively in support of the nonprofit agencies which are addressing the greatest challenges in our community. According to Bratton, “Just like the caring legacy which occurred before us, our newly created Greater Cabarrus Foundation will allow the current and future generations across our county to create a stronger and increasingly more vibrant nonprofit community which will facilitate lasting positive change.”

In a world where it is easy to feel disconnected from the places we call home, Bob Bratton’s commitment is a reminder of the power of community, caring, and servant leadership. It is a call to each of us to think about what we can do to support our community, to invest in its future, and to ensure that the place we love continues to grow and thrive for generations to come.