In this edition of the CFAAC Community Connector, discover the latest news, inspiring stories, Celebration of Philanthropy news, new funds, upcoming events, grant opportunities, and expert insights for professional advisors.

As the search for CFAAC’s next CEO and President continues, know that CFAAC and the mission we share means the world to me. I am continuing to work alongside our dedicated, talented team and board to ensure nothing slows down our momentum.

As I write this, we are in the midst of preparing our 2025 Community Needs Assessment Report for publication. This tremendously important report details needs from across the county and will be the starting point for our strategies going forward. After publication, we will hold several presentations in the fall at various times and venues in the county so that all residents will have the opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and contribute ideas.

Transitions can bring questions, but please know our focus remains strong: serving our community with care, vision, purpose, and heart. I remain grateful for your continued support and belief in our mission.

Mary Spencer
CFAAC President & CEO

How Do Nonprofits Touch YOUR Daily Life?
By Mary Spencer, CFAAC President & CEO

From feeding families to delivering critical care, nonprofits step up every day to protect and save lives in ways most of us never see. In moments of crisis, it’s often nonprofits that provide what matters most: a safe place to sleep, urgent medical care or someone who will answer the phone and offer help. Through volunteer fire departments, food banks, mental health hotlines and more, they are helping to keep our community strong and safe.

But their impact goes beyond emergency response or crisis relief. Nonprofits shape our daily lives, offering more than volunteer opportunities or accepting donations — they ensure access to services like libraries, provide educational and cultural events and advocate for policies and programs.

The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County’s (CFAAC) Fund for Anne Arundel (FFAA) recently awarded $510,000 to 13 local nonprofits — the largest grant the FFAA has ever awarded. To date, CFAAC has distributed 51 grants to 29 unique nonprofits totaling $1,772,860 through the Fund for Anne Arundel. 

This year’s record-breaking donations enabled the Community Foundation to increase funding made through the FFAA and expand the Fund’s focus to nonprofits that prioritize 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.

CFAAC awarded the following local nonprofits: Annapolis Immigration Justice Network, Arundel Lodge, Inc., Chase Your Dreams Initiative Inc., Encore Creativity for Older Adults, HOPE For All, Joy Reigns Lutheran Church, Partners in Care, Seeds 4 Success, Inc., Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR) – Annapolis, Inc., The Complete Player Charity, The Light House Homeless Prevention Center, Together WE Rise, Inc., and Wellness House of Annapolis.

Grants from the Women and Girls Fund support nonprofits that help women and girls overcome barriers, strengthen their economic security, enhance their well-being, and confidently shape bright futures for themselves and their families. Your donation makes this impact possible. Please consider a gift today.

Recognizing an extraordinary community contributor has never been easier! CFAAC is now accepting nominations for its 25th annual Celebration of Philanthropy Awards. This is a chance for community members, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and members of the faith communities to nominate an individual, family, group, or organization who has made an inspiring difference in Anne Arundel County.

Nominees should demonstrate exceptional generosity through direct financial support, volunteer service, or a life-long commitment to civic and charitable leadership in Anne Arundel County. Think about an individual or group who has made an impact and nominate them today.

Nominations will close at 4 pm. EST on Thursday, July 10, 2025.

Thank you to our 2025 Celebration of Philanthropy Sponsors!

- PRESENTING SPONSOR -

- PLATINUM SPONSOR -

- SILVER SPONSORS -

- BRONZE SPONSORS -

Law Office of
Jerry Williams, III

Martha Van Woerkom 

- FRIEND OF PHILANTHROPY -

Trish and Greg Strott

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

(Left) High school students learn new skills biweekly at Eta Eta Lambda's Alpha Academy Mentoring Program (AAMP). CFAAC staff and board present check to AAMP.

In 2024, Eta Eta Lambda received a grant from CFAAC’s Fund for Anne Arundel (FFAA) to launch the Alpha Academy Mentor Program at Annapolis High School. Since then, the program has paired 30 young men with dedicated mentors for bi-weekly sessions, equipping them with life skills, academic support, and emotional guidance to navigate challenges, be successful in life, and become productive members of their communities.

Read full story on page 31 of our Annual Report. See their inspiring video here.

CFAAC’s Grants for Teachers Fund awards up to $500 to Anne Arundel County Public School (AACPS) educators for innovative, classroom-based projects that enhance student learning—especially those not otherwise funded.

All AACPS teachers and guidance counselors are eligible to apply. Projects must be original and not yet started or fully funded.

Technology purchases like tablets, touchpads, and assistive tech for individual students are not eligible. Alternative furnishings, pre-packaged curriculum, or software may be considered if used creatively to improve classroom learning. Partial funding requests must include documentation of committed funds from another source, such as a PTSA or local business.

CFAAC's Women and Girls Fund support projects that empower women and girls in Anne Arundel County by developing individual skills, reducing isolation, creating new opportunities, and addressing challenges related to poverty, disability, domestic violence, and lack of access to resources.

Eligible nonprofits may apply for funding to help women and girls pursue positive, productive lives by removing barriers, increasing economic security, enhancing well-being and safety, and supporting their ability to make confident, informed decisions for themselves and their families.

The City of Annapolis Office of Community Services is accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2026 Children and Families Success Grants. These grants support community organizations that create, expand, or enhance youth programs promoting healthy development, community resilience, and greater opportunity for Annapolis families. Organizations serving low-income neighborhoods and offering programming that reflects equity, diversity, and inclusion are strongly encouraged to apply. Grant Details:

Primeros Auxilios de Salud Mental (The Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), por sus siglas en inglés) de Adultos para las Comunidades Hispanohablantes enseña a las personas a reconocer los signos de un problema de salud mental o de uso de sustancias en adultos de 18 años o más; cómo ofrecer y proporcionar la ayuda inicial y cómo guiar a una persona hacia la atención apropiada si fuera necesario. Los temas tratados son la ansiedad, la depresión, la psicosis y las adicciones.

(The Adult Mental Health First Aid course is designed for Spanish-speaking communities and teaches participants how to recognize signs of mental health or substance use issues in adults, provide initial support, and guide them to appropriate care if needed.)

AACPL: Grants Compliance Workshop for Nonprofits

Congratulations! You've received a grant. Now, what do you need to know? This workshop will focus on how to manage a grant once your organization has obtained it. Included will be a discussion on complying with grant rules and regulations, as well as how to manage grant funds.

Details: Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 2-3:30 p.m.
Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library

LEARN MORE HERE

Unwind, connect, and enjoy the view at our next Wine Down Wednesday, generously sponsored by CNR Insurance. Join fellow AAEPC members and guests for a relaxed evening of networking, good conversation, and waterfront vibes.

WHEN: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
TIME: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Carroll’s Creek Café, Annapolis, MD 21401

This event is free for AAEPC members and includes complimentary appetizers, a cash bar, and plenty of opportunities to catch up with colleagues and make new connections.

Don’t you wish you could read your clients’ minds? Understanding what clients really care about is crucial to constructing any estate or financial plan. When it comes to charitable giving, you can be a step ahead. Plenty of research offers clues about what matters most to your philanthropic clients. For starters, the numbers show that year after year, people are giving money to U.S. charities. Most of your clients are probably philanthropic; more than 85% of affluent households give to charities each year. Here’s what else they may be thinking:

Read more.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025, after the House of Representatives approved the Senate’s changes to H.R. 1, which passed the House in May.

The OBBBA reshapes policy across major sectors of the U.S. economy. Included in the OBBBA are several provisions that impact philanthropy. Three major takeaways are of particular importance as CFAAC helps donors, fund holders, and nonprofits, as well as attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors, navigate charitable planning opportunities over the months and years ahead.

Read more.

As an estate planning, tax, or wealth advisor, you play a critical role in helping your clients maximize the impact of charitable giving while also optimizing tax benefits. Unfortunately, only 19.2% of advisors regularly discuss charitable giving with clients, and another 44.2% do so only occasionally, according to a 2023 survey.

The Community Foundation can help. Our team is here as a sounding board for everything related to charitable giving. So, when the topic arises and your clients are interested in evaluating strategies for supporting the causes they care about, just loop us in.

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 nearly $5 to $7 million annually. Learn more at www.cfaac.org.