In this edition of the CFAAC Community Connector, discover the latest updates, learn about CFAAC job opportunities, meet CFAAC’s newest board members, explore scholarship applications, read inspiring stories, check out upcoming events and new funds, and gain expert insights for professional advisors.

Happy New Year! Let me begin by thanking all of you who made 2025 such an incredible year for philanthropy. We are eternally grateful for your support. We had an amazing year — opening 40 new funds and granting more than 850 grants and over $9 million to nonprofits.

As we reflect on the past year, we express our deepest gratitude to Mary Spencer, who retired in October, leaving a legacy of unprecedented growth for CFAAC. We can’t thank her enough and wish her all the best that retirement has to offer. Along those same lines, we are saying goodbye to Kristen Krall, our Community Education Coordinator, who coordinated CFAAC's Community Impact Speaker Series and Strengthening Nonprofits Speaker Series programs and events, as well as other educational programs for nonprofit donors, board members, and staff. Kristen’s expertise and extraordinary organizing skills will be greatly missed. Thank you, Kristen, and enjoy spending time with family and traveling.

We are also sharing our appreciation for three retiring board members whose tireless efforts have significantly contributed to our success. Their commitment and passion for our community will continue to inspire us, and we are truly thankful for the time and energy they’ve invested in making a positive difference. Thank you Michael Lehr, Amy Tate, and Crystal Williams for your service.

Michael Lehr has been an instrumental part of the CFAAC Board since 2020. During that time he has been an active member of the Governance and Nominating Committee and grant review committees, including the Fund for Anne Arundel. As a practicing attorney, he has provided valuable insight to CFAAC during his years of service. We are grateful for his leadership of the Anne Arundel Estate Planning Council where he frequently helped CFAAC to build relationships with donors. Mike is a trusted ally in the world of estate planning, and his ongoing support of the philanthropic community earned him a place among the first honorees in CFAAC’s Professional Advisor Recognition Society. Thank you, Mike, for your years of service and enthusiastic advocacy for the Community Foundation.

Amy Tate joined CFAAC’s Board in 2022, bringing her business perspective and knowledge to support CFAAC’s work in the community. Amy was very involved with CFAAC, faithfully serving on the Executive Committee as the Vice Chair in 2024 and 2025 and also serving on the Fund Development & Communications and grant review committees. In each of these roles, she brought the wisdom of her experience as an attorney and a community volunteer. Amy cares deeply about her community, especially the North County area, and generously gives her time to make a meaningful difference. Thank you, Amy, for your support and expertise.

Crystal Watkins Williams joined the CFAAC Board in 2024, and while her tenure with the Community Foundation has been relatively brief, we are thankful for her contributions to the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Women and Girls Fund review committee. With a background and passion for education, Crystal served as a strong voice for the transformational power of education at all stages of life. Crystal, we are grateful for your service to our community and we hope you know that you are welcome to come back at any time. 

As we say farewell, we welcome three new board members who bring with them new perspectives, great enthusiasm, and diverse expertise. Please join me in welcoming Andre Dillard, Alison Flores, and Griff Hall. You can read more about them in this newsletter.

Best wishes for the New Year,

John Rodenhausen
CFAAC President & CEO

How to Navigate the Season of Giving
By John Rodenhausen, CFAAC President & CEO

My Greek father-in-law, Dimitri, taught me a lot about the importance of words and their meaning. Through many years of working in nonprofits, I learned that the word philanthropy simply means love of humankind. The word originates from the Greek words, “philos,” meaning love, and “anthropos,” meaning humankind. And at its heart, philanthropy — love of humankind — is what keeps every community thriving.

CFAAC is seeking a Director of Gift Planning. The position plays a vital role in our small, mighty, and fast-paced organization, which is known for its high-quality donor service, trusted community partnerships, and thoughtful philanthropic advising. As a rapidly growing community foundation, CFAAC is expanding its impact across the county. This position is central to advancing our planned giving and major gift strategies, building strong relationships with donors and professional advisors, and helping ensure that charitable resources are aligned with the most pressing and emerging needs of our community. Please apply by February 6th. 

CFAAC is seeking an Education Program Manager to help advance our community education and engagement efforts. This role is responsible for designing and coordinating educational programs, convenings, and learning opportunities that support donors, nonprofit leaders, and professional advisors. This position supports CFAAC’s mission by ensuring education programs are responsive, accessible, and aligned with the most pressing and emerging needs across Anne Arundel County.

Andre Dillard

Andre Dillard is a passionate educator and mentor originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In May 2023, Andre was appointed the Director of Mentorship Programs for Anne Arundel County Public Schools, becoming the first individual to hold this role. His selection by Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell reflects Andre’s deep, decades-long commitment to youth mentorship and community engagement.

Read more.

Alison Flores

Alison Flores joined Anne Arundel County Government after serving as Deputy Director for the Prince George’s County Office of Community Relations. A communications, public relations, and governmental affairs professional, Alison is deeply committed to advancing political, social, and economic inclusion for diverse communities.

Read more.

Griff Hall

Griff Hall is the principal of Griff Strategic Leadership (GSL), which he founded 17 years ago after serving as chief executive at three organizations. Through GSL, Griff helps organizations strengthen leadership and strategy, working with a diverse client base that includes Fortune 100 companies, universities and educational institutions, military and defense agencies, and community nonprofits.

Read more.

You won’t want to miss CFAAC’s most inspiring event of the year, so be sure to save the date for November 12, 2026 for the Celebration of Philanthropy Awards Luncheon.

Now is also the perfect time to start thinking about nominations. Do you know an unsung hero or heroine who is making a meaningful difference in our community? Nominations for the 2026 Celebration of Philanthropy Awards will be accepted from May 12 through July 9, 2026, with honorees celebrated at the annual awards luncheon on November 12.

It’s a new year filled with possibility. Start the year by investing in your community. Your support means the world to us and to the dedicated nonprofits working every day to make a difference. Start early and donate today to support our vital work.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2023, CFAAC extended a special invitation to nonprofits across the county to establish an endowment fund with a reduced minimum contribution required. Thanks to a generous donor who underwrote the set-up fees in honor of CFAAC’s anniversary, organizations were able to open a Designated Fund with an initial investment and no additional barriers to entry.

The goal was clear: each Designated Fund needed to reach a balance of $25,000 within three years. Once that milestone was met, CFAAC would permanently endow the fund to generate annual grant distributions to benefit the nonprofit. Forty nonprofits took advantage of this meaningful opportunity to strengthen their long-term sustainability. Thirteen funds were endowed immediately, and throughout 2025 and into 2026, six additional nonprofit funds joined the ranks of permanently endowed funds.

The Blue Ribbon Project Fund

CRAB
Endowment Fund

Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake Fund

NAMI
Anne Arundel County Endowment Fund

Tennis Alliance of Anne Arundel County Endowment Fund

South Shore Recovery Club Endowment Fund

To explore a complete list of Designated and Endowed Funds, we invite you to visit CFAAC’s Fund Directory, where you can learn more about these funds and find opportunities to support their continued growth.

The Lance Corporal Eric William Herzberg and Lance Corporal William Taylor Wild IV Scholarship (Herzberg-Wild Scholarship) was established at CFAAC in 2014 by anonymous donors to honor two fallen Marines, Eric W. Herzberg and Taylor Wild IV, both residents of Anne Arundel County.

The Herzberg-Wild Scholarship awards one $10,000 scholarship annually to a deserving high school senior from Anne Arundel County Public Schools. 

The Officer Grant Turner Memorial Scholarship Fund was established after Officer Grant Turner passed away to honor his love of sports and baseball. The fund advisors host one of the largest preseason baseball tournaments in the state.

Scholarship funds may only be used for tuition, fees, and books at institutions of higher education. Four scholarship opportunities are available, each valued at $1,700. This one-time disbursement of $1,700 will be paid directly to the institution.

The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County is thrilled to welcome the following funds to our family of funds:

AAArts Friends

A Donor Advised Fund supporting access to and the enjoyment of visual and performing arts throughout Anne Arundel County. 

The CM Fund

A Donor Advised Fund established to support the philanthropic interests of the fund advisor(s).

Denise Wright AAWGT Lifetime Membership Fund

A CFAAC Endowed Fund established to support Anne Arundel Women Giving Together’s mission of funding programs that are devoted to improving the lives, health, education, and well-being of women, their children, and families.

The McEowen Family Fund

A Donor Advised Fund established to support the philanthropic interests of the fund advisor(s).

Coffee & Conversation with the CEO is a series of informal, virtual listening sessions taking place January through early March with John Rodenhausen, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC). These hop-on, hop-off Zoom conversations are designed for open dialogue, shared learning, and thoughtful exchange. Each session includes a brief overview followed by ample time for discussion. These are not solicitation meetings. Each topic is offered twice—once in the morning and once at lunchtime.

Sessions will be held weekly, beginning on Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Each session includes a brief overview followed by open dialogue and shared learning. Click on Session topics for more information:

Strategic Visioning: Building Community Together
Listening, Learning & Leading Locally

Education & Capacity Building
Strengthening Nonprofits: Learning, Leadership & Shared Growth

Nonprofit Fundraising
Fundraising & the Role of a Community Foundation

Donors & Philanthropic Planning
Donor-Advised Funds, Legacy & Local Change

The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County’s Environment Anne Arundel Fund, supports local nonprofit organizations working to protect and improve the environment in Anne Arundel County and the Chesapeake Bay. This fund helps projects that enhance communities, address environmental challenges like stormwater, and promote the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay, local streams, rivers, and other natural areas.

Grant Details:

Anne Arundel Women Giving Together (AAWGT) is excited to announce that the 2026 grant application (English & Spanish) is now available until January 31, 2026. Applicants must be 501(c)(3)s (or have a fiscal sponsor), serve AACo residents, and have gross annual revenue under $1M (excluding in kind revenue) to be eligible to apply.

AAWGT supports programs that uplift women and families across Anne Arundel County. In May 2025, AAWGT awarded $226,316 to their 2025 grantees, organizations of all sizes doing incredible work, and they are grateful for these partnerships. 

For more information, please explore the full grant guidance HERE.

Top: (L-R) CFAAC's Ros Calvin, John Rodenhausen, LH's David Alt, CFAAC committee member Cindy O'Neill and LH's Anne Ryan at The Light House.

Bottom:Volunteers pack pantry orders for pick up at the LH's Client Choice Pantry.

Every morning when he steps through the doors of The Light House Homeless Prevention Center, Executive Director David Alt is reminded why this work matters so deeply. “I've only been here for four months, but there's something about this place that gives me goosebumps every hour,” David said. “It’s the positive energy in here. We’re dealing with some of the most difficult issues that anyone can face, and for the individuals coming through, life has not been easy. But we're able to provide some respite, some joy, and some dignity that I feel is palpable. There's a resilience in each individual we meet, and there's a hope that I learn from every single day. I'm just glad that we get to be a part of it.”

Through a Community Foundation Fund For Anne Arundel grant, that hope shines even brighter for The Light House.

Well before 2025 made way for 2026, you were no doubt already tracking the various IRS thresholds that are subject to adjustment, as well as the new tax laws’ impact on planning techniques. But have you thought about how each of these thresholds might relate to your clients’ charitable giving? Here are pointers to keep handy as you inform your clients about changes in 2026 and help them tee up their charitable giving plans for the coming year.

Read more.

For many CPAs, estate planning attorneys, and financial advisors, the end of 2025 brought a whirlwind of charitable planning activity among high-earner clients. That’s because many taxpayers wanted to maximize the tax benefits of their charitable donations before the 0.5% “floor” and 35% “cap” on charitable deductions kicked in on January 1, 2026 under new tax laws.

Read more.

If you know the basics of Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) but have a hard time envisioning exactly what to say and do when they come up in a client conversation, you are not alone. Whether you are an attorney, CPA, or financial advisor, at some point you will find yourself in the middle of a QCD conversation. Here’s a case study to prepare you. 

Read more.

The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC) is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3), publicly supported philanthropic organization with the long-term goal of building permanent funds that provide support to local nonprofit organizations through grants and special projects. Our mission is to inspire and promote giving in Anne Arundel County by connecting people who care with causes that matter. Established in 1998, CFAAC is one of the largest funders of nonprofit organizations in Anne Arundel County. CFAAC distributes $6 to $9 million annually. Learn more at www.cfaac.org.