In this edition of the CFAAC Community Connector, discover the latest CFAAC updates, learn about CFAAC grants, check out upcoming events and new funds, and gain expert insights for professional advisors.

At the Community Foundation, we are working alongside the community to create significant and lasting change across Anne Arundel County through grantmaking, educational programs, community leadership, and partnerships that bring people and ideas together. Sustaining that change and our impact, however, depends on continued support from people like you.

An annual fund gift is often one of the most powerful ways to invest in a nonprofit’s work. At CFAAC, that funding comes through the Community Leadership Fund, which supports everything we do. This includes hiring professional staff who nurture a culture of personalized philanthropy like no other organization in Anne Arundel County.

As communities navigate ongoing challenges and new opportunities, organizations like CFAAC play an essential role, providing constant leadership, trusted resources, and a long-term commitment to the county we love and serve. Thanks to our donors’ generosity, we can continue. When you give to CFAAC’s Community Leadership Fund, you support the work behind the scenes, helping us to make Anne Arundel County stronger and better for all.

Speaking of making our community better, nominations for the Celebration of Philanthropy Awards opened on May 4. Think of the people you know who are working hard, quietly, to make our county a wonderful place. The awards luncheon, where we recognize the dedicated local nonprofits and people involved with them, will be held on November 12 at LIVE! Casino & Hotel Maryland. Sponsorships are also available for this annual event. Tip: Sponsoring now will give your organization year-round recognition and visibility. 

Additionally, we recently published our 2025 Annual Report. This report highlights CFAAC’s significant community impact in 2025 — we were able to distribute 856 grants of $9.7 million to nonprofits, open 44 new funds, endow seven funds, and had a record nine Legacy Fund commitments, thanks to you. It is currently available online and hard copies are available at our office. Please call 410.280.1102 to schedule a time to connect with me or one of our philanthropic advisors. 

John Rodenhausen, CAP^®
CFAAC President & CEO

Do you know an unsung hero who is making a meaningful difference in our community? Nominations for the 2026 Celebration of Philanthropy Awards will be accepted through July 9, 2026. It is CFAAC's most inspiring event of the year, so now is the time to submit your nominations and mark your calendars for the awards luncheon on November 12, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at The Hall at Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland.

The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County’s (CFAAC) Fund for Anne Arundel (FFAA) recently awarded a record amount of $574,250 to 16 local nonprofits — the largest grant cycle the FFAA has awarded. Since its inception, CFAAC has distributed 65 grants to 36 unique nonprofits totaling $2,294,428.64 through the Fund for Anne Arundel. 

The Fund for Anne Arundel prioritizes the physical, mental, and behavioral health of children and families; homeless prevention programs and initiatives; mental wellness programs and initiatives; and school and after-school programs.

More than 90 people gathered at the Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library on May 12 for the annual Anna Greenberg Board Leadership Symposium.

The program, facilitated by nonprofit consultant Rob Levit, along with with expert resource support from Jennifer Pastrone, Executive Director of Seeds 4 Success, and Mary Jermann, President & CEO of Annapolis Wellness House, covered practical strategies for building and sustaining an effective board. The interactive symposium was designed to strengthen nonprofit governance, support effective leadership, and help boards sustain long-term impact. 

See photos of the event here. 

The Community Leadership Fund, CFAAC’s annual operating fund, strengthens our ability to respond when emergencies arise, support nonprofits navigating unexpected challenges, and connect donors with causes that align with their deepest values. Your contribution sustains the infrastructure of generosity that our community depends on.

Grants from the Women and Girls Fund support nonprofits that help women and girls in Anne Arundel County pursue positive, productive lives by helping remove barriers, increase economic security, and enhance their well-being and safety, and empowers women and girls to make positive life decisions for themselves and their families.

Application opens: July 13, 2026
Deadline: August 25, 2026
Grant Size: $3,000 to $5,000
Awards announced: September 2026.

Join us for a fun evening to support CFAAC as the Annapolis Blues FC's Charity of the Match! A portion of every ticket sold will support CFAAC's mission to inspire philanthropy and connect people who care with causes that matter.

When: June 17, 2026, 7 pm 
Where: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
Cost: $18.50 adults; promo code:"FOUNDATION"
$13.50 youth; promo code:"FOUNDATIONY"

*You can only use one promo code per transaction.

Youth Mental Health First Aid  is a training course for adults who regularly interact with young people ages 12-18. Participants learn to recognize signs of mental health and substance use challenges, respond effectively in a crisis, and connect young people with appropriate support. Topics include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, ADHD, trauma, social media, and bullying.

When: June 25, 2026, 9 am to 4:30 pm
Where: The Commons, Research Dr.
Annapolis, MD 21401
Instructor: Marguerite (Marcie) Gibbons, Hub Coordinator for the Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency. 

The course costs $25 per person, includes materials and breaktime refreshments. Please bring your own lunch. Registration is limited to 30 participants. Register by June 22nd to receive a certificate of completion.

Join the Nonprofit Center, Office of Emergency Management, and Cyber Ready Clinic for an EngageArundel webinar focused on helping local nonprofits better understand cybersecurity risks and practical steps they can take to prepare. Participants will learn about common cyber threats, including ransomware and business email compromise, explore practical readiness tools such as the Ready 5 Assessment, and hear real-world examples from organizations that have experienced cyber incidents.

When: June 10, 2026, 12pm-1pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom

Calling all nonprofits! Join Impact100 Greater Chesapeake for their 2026 RFA Workshops. Whether you’re new to their grant application or looking to refine your skills, this is your chance to learn from board members about our process.

When: Thursday, June 11, 2026, 9:30am–11am 
Where: Anne Arundel County Nonprofit Center, 41 Community Place, Crownsville, MD 21032

If you’re like many advisors, you may have discovered that often charitable giving conversations begin (and end) with cash or appreciated stock.

But for some clients, valuable assets may take a different form entirely. Read more.

As charitable planning conversations become more sophisticated, many advisors are revisiting so-called “split-interest gifts” to help their clients balance philanthropic goals with income needs. Two of the most common strategies are charitable gift annuities (CGAs) and charitable remainder trust (CRTs).

Here are six FAQs about CGAs and CRTs. Read more.

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) continue to gain traction as one of the most practical and effective charitable planning tools for clients over age 70-1/2. For many clients, a QCD is particularly appealing.

Here are some ways you can help your clients achieve their charitable goals through QCDs. 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.