In this edition of the Community Connector, meet the honorees of our upcoming Celebration of Philanthropy luncheon, learn how you can double your impact through our $20,000 matching gift challenge, and discover upcoming events, grant opportunities, and the newest funds joining the CFAAC family.

Dear Friends,

Thanksgiving is defined as the act of expressing gratitude or appreciation. As this holiday approaches, I think about the people and organizations who make Anne Arundel County a community united. From donors, volunteers, nonprofit partners, and professional advisors, all share a common belief: a belief that a community is strongest when its members invest in each other. Gratitude and love sit at the heart of philanthropy, and your trust and commitment to CFAAC do not go unnoticed.

Personally, I enjoy participating in the process as this trust turns into action throughout the year. Funds like the South County Fund will soon be making grants to support organizations that mentor and work with youth in one of the most underserved areas of the county. The Grants 4 Teachers Fund is empowering teachers to provide their students with unique experiences beyond what school budgets allow. Each of these funds exists because someone chose to give, and each one reminds us how far a thoughtful gift can travel.

Through building our fund and grant offerings, there are also some exciting things happening internally. Our team has grown this year, and we have one more position to fill. CFAAC is seeking a Director of Philanthropic Resources who will play a vital role in deepening donor engagement and supporting meaningful, lasting philanthropic outcomes that improve the quality of life for all Anne Arundel County residents. If you know of anyone who would thrive in this role, we’d love to hear your referrals.

Soon we will have the chance to celebrate together at our annual Celebration of Philanthropy Awards Luncheon on Thursday, November 12, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Hall at Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland. We appreciate the nearly 400 people who have already purchased sponsorships and tickets to help us honor the organizations and individuals for their unwavering service to those in need in Anne Arundel County. If you do not have a ticket yet, please let me know ASAP!

The holiday season is upon us, and many of you are already thinking about how to make your giving count. Whether you are considering a gift to one of our funds, exploring a Donor Advised Fund, or simply wondering where your support could do the most good, our team would be honored to help you find the right fit. 

With gratitude,
John Rodenhausen

Philanthropists
of the Year

The Earl
Family

Nominated by
Luminis Anne Arundel
Medical Center

Young Volunteer of the Year

Andre
Manning, Jr.

Nominated by
Just One Sweater

Carroll H. Hynson Jr. Award for DEI in Philanthropy

Laura Jane
Willoughby

Nominated by
AAC Office of Multicultural Affairs

Corporate Philanthropist
of the Year

Covington
Alsina, LLC

Nominated by
Historic Annapolis

Carol Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award

Anna E. Greenberg

Nominated by
Historic Annapolis

Professional Advisor Recognition Society Inductee

Sean
O’Neill

Volunteer
of the Year

Margaret
Davis

Nominated by
Anne Arundel Women Giving Together

Boots on the Ground Award

Lisa
Lutz

Nominated by
Smith Consulting & Events

Professional Advisor Recognition Society Inductee

Modera Wealth Management – Annapolis Team

We are just days away from our annual Celebration of Philanthropy Awards Luncheon. There are only a few tickets available, please contact John if you would like to attend. Mark your calendar for November 12, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at The Hall at Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland. We cannot wait to celebrate the people making a difference across Anne Arundel County, with great food, live music, and plenty of community spirit.

2026 Celebration of Philanthropy Sponsors

CO-PRESENTING SPONSORS

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

Anne Arundel Community College Foundation

Barb Kappel
Non-Profit Advisor and Fundraising Coach

Blue Heron 
Financial Group

Margaret Davis

Carl & Anita Gutschick

Krall Family Foundation

Bill Thompson

Martha Van Woerkom

Anonymous Donor

Help Us Carry the Momentum Into 2027

It is inspiring to see how much our community has accomplished together this year, even as needs continue to grow. Your year-end gift to CFAAC helps our team keep that momentum going as we:

• Award more than $9 million in grants to well-vetted nonprofits

• Offer 32 educational programs for community members, advisors, nonprofits, and donors

• Address the needs identified in Poverty Amidst Plenty VIII, our triennial Needs Assessment Report

• Provide professional philanthropic advising to hundreds of local donors

• Set ambitious goals for our 2027-2029 Strategic Plan

Double your gift. A generous donor has offered to match gifts up to a total of $20,000. Please help us meet this challenge by giving before Dec. 31 at cfaac.org. If you prefer to give appreciated stock, a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRA, or a grant from your Donor Advised Fund, contact our team at 410.280.1102.

CFAAC proudly welcomes the following funds to our family of funds:

Brashear Family Fund

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

Hillard-Rosborg Legacy Fund

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

Janice Marie John AAWGT LTM Fund

An Endowed Fund that supports 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.

J. Doyle Financial Literacy Foundation

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

McGuinness Smith Fund 

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

Shared Table Fund

A Corporate Advised Fund established to support nonprofits working to end food insecurity in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. 

Deadline: November 9, 2026
Grant Size: Up to $2,500
Awards announced:
November 2026

Join Anne Arundel Women Giving Together on Tuesday, November 17, from 6:00–7:15 p.m. for an engaging virtual conversation about what it means to be a philanthropist and the many ways we can make a difference in our community. Local leaders will share how small acts of generosity and collective action can create meaningful change—and how each of us can find our own place in giving back.

TONIGHT, November 5, 2026
5:30 PM - 7:30pm
Carrol's Creek Cafe

 Wednesday, November 18, 2026
6:00 PM - 08:00 PM
The Lodge 

Estate planning rarely happens in a vacuum. Attorneys, financial advisors, and CPAs must work together effectively to serve clients well. Billy Hufnell (Modera Wealth Management LLC) and Justin T. Roudiez (White Oak Wealth Management LLC) will present a dynamic case study featuring a complex set of facts and a client dilemma designed to spark conversation across all planning disciplines.

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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.