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

Spring reminds us that growth often happens quietly at first: new ideas, new partnerships, and sometimes it's new colleagues who bring their experience and skills to the work ahead. As April arrives and the first blooms appear across Anne Arundel County, I’m delighted to welcome two new staff members to our small but mighty CFAAC team. Thomas Perkins and Jennifer Bowser joined us late last month, and we are happy to have them onboard.

Thomas is our new Director of Gift Planning. An accomplished fundraiser and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP), he brings deep experience helping donors align their values with charitable giving. His thoughtful approach to philanthropy and commitment to strengthening nonprofits will help CFAAC continue connecting generous individuals and families with causes that matter in our community.

Jennifer joins us as our new Education Program Manager. A former USAID professional who has built strategic partnerships across the globe, Jennifer brings a collaborative spirit and deep understanding of how partnerships strengthen communities. She will play an important role in expanding CFAAC’s education programs and building relationships with nonprofit partners throughout Anne Arundel County.

I'm confident that Thomas and Jennifer will be wonderful additions to our team and will help us continue growing CFAAC’s impact across the county. Please take a moment to read more about them in this newsletter.

In other news, our annual Anna E. Greenberg Board Leadership Symposium will be held on May 12 at the Michael E. Busch Library on West Street This is one of our most popular events of the year, so I encourage you to register soon to reserve your spot. You can learn more about the symposium in this issue.

After a long winter, I hope you are enjoying the beauty of spring in Anne Arundel County.

John Rodenhausen, CAP
CFAAC President & CEO

Please join CFAAC as we welcome Thomas Perkins as Director of Gift Planning and Jennifer Bowser as Education Program Manager to our staff. 

Thomas Perkins, CAP
As CFAAC's new Director of Gift Planning, Thomas works with donors and their advisors to create meaningful, lasting legacies through planned gifts. With more than 15 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including roles at Ocean Conservancy and Giving Docs, Thomas brings deep expertise in gift planning that will help CFAAC connect more donors with causes they care about.

Jennifer Bowser
As CFAAC's new Education Program Manager, Jennifer leads education and outreach strategy, designing programming that strengthens nonprofit capacity and engages donors across Anne Arundel County. She brings nearly 25 years of experience working with nonprofits, donors, and government partners around the world, including USAID's Education and Youth teams.

You won't want to miss CFAAC's most inspiring event of the year, so mark your calendar 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 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 that afternoon.

Your Gifts at Work in Anne Arundel County

On April 28, CFAAC turns 28. What better way to mark the occasion than watching generosity at work in our community? This month, the Food Insecurity Fund supports access to nutritious meals and long-term solutions to hunger, the Environment Anne Arundel Fund protects our natural resources and the Chesapeake Bay, and the Herzberg-Wild Scholarship opens doors to higher education for local students. Your support over these 28 years has built something remarkable, and the best is still ahead.

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

Bollinger Family Fund

The Bollinger Family Fund is a Donor Advised Fund established to support the philanthropic interests of the fund advisor(s).

Keely Clifford 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.

Opportunity Through Education Scholarship Fund

The Opportunity Through Education Scholarship Fund is a Scholarship Fund established by the The Salinger Family. It will provide financial support to deserving students from Anne Arundel County pursuing education at post-secondary institutions, including colleges, technical programs, and trade schools.

The Fund for Anne Arundel (FFAA) directs CFAAC's grantmaking to where it's needed most. This cycle, FFAA will award grants of $25,000 to $50,000 in the following categories:

Applicants may request a one-year grant or a renewable grant of up to $25,000 per year for two years, with demonstrated support for long-term program sustainability.

Grant Details:

Application Opened: March 16, 2026
Deadline: April 21, 2026
Award Size: $25,000 to $50,000
Awards Announced: June 2026

Strong boards don't happen by accident. CFAAC is hosting an in-person, interactive symposium designed to strengthen nonprofit governance, support effective leadership, and help boards sustain long-term impact. Led by nonprofit consultant Rob Levit, this session covers practical strategies for building and sustaining an effective board. Nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and board members are all welcome.

Date: Monday, May 12, 2026
Time: 12:15 to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library
Cost: $25, includes lunch

Anne Arundel Women Giving Together (AAWGT) is more than a giving circle. It's a powerful network of passionate women creating meaningful change in Anne Arundel County. With more than 400 members and over $2.1 million in grants awarded since 2006, including a record-breaking $262,913 in 2026, AAWGT's collective giving model is making a real difference. The Open House is open to all women and is a great opportunity to learn, connect, and explore how to get involved.

Event Details:

When: Thursday, April 16, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Where: Historic London Town Gardens
Cost: Free with registration

AACPL Presents: Intro to Proposal Writing

The Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) is offering a free virtual program on grant proposal writing, a great resource for local nonprofits looking to strengthen their funding applications.

Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Register Here

Join the Anne Arundel Estate Planning Council (AAEPC) for Wine Down Wednesday, a relaxed networking event open to members and guests. Free for AAEPC members; tickets required for non-members.

Date: April 29, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Where: Carroll's Creek Cafe

Sponsored by: Modera Wealth Management 

Join the AAEPC for an education program led by Alex Pagnotta, Managing Attorney at Sinclair Prosser Gasior, exploring how trusts support charitable goals, family legacy, and long-term estate planning. Designed for attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors, and allied professionals.

Date: May 14, 2026
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: The Lodge 
Cost: Free for 2026 AAEPC members | $80 for guests

As tax laws and market dynamics continue to shift, it is important for attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors to be aware of two increasingly distinct groups of donors. 

Read more.

As you work with clients who have established a private foundation, it is not uncommon for the conversation to eventually turn to whether this structure still makes sense.

Read more.

As you guide clients through ongoing market uncertainty, you may be noticing that conversations are becoming as much about perspective as performance metrics.

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.