In this edition of the Community Connector, meet CFAAC's newest team member, explore open grant cycles and upcoming events, help shape our 2027-2029 strategic plan, and get expert insights for professional advisors.

I am not sure where the summer went, but here we are, easing into my favorite season of the year: autumn.

With students back in the classroom, it feels like the right moment to highlight one of the ways we support their success year-round. Thanks to our generous donors, the Grants 4 Teachers fund is one of four Field of Interest Funds with an additional component: an endowment fund, allowing us to have funds in perpetuity to contribute to each school year's success. We are now able to accept donations for both the grant fund and the endowment fund.

In August, we celebrated both Make-a-Will Month and Black Philanthropy Month. We thank you for your interest and participation in both causes. Remember, it is never too late to take control of your personal will, or make an impact in your local community through charitable giving. If you or someone you know would like to learn more, please reach out to me or one of our team members directly. Your Community Foundation is here to help guide you every step of the way.

Speaking of our team, please join us in welcoming Brenda Alexander as our new Communications Specialist. You will find more about Brenda later in this newsletter.

Looking ahead, CFAAC is in the process of shaping our next strategic plan and your voice is essential for us to succeed. Please take a few minutes to complete our survey and help guide our priorities for the years ahead.

As always, we are working to serve our community through the benefits of philanthropy. Right now, that includes two grant cycles worth highlighting. The Family Protection Fund is now open, and the South County Fund (opens next week) now has an endowed component, ensuring it invests in perpetuity in school- and community-based initiatives that keep South County's youth grounded, supported, and headed toward a strong future. You will find more on each of our upcoming grant cycles later in this newsletter, along with a look at our upcoming events.

Finally, we're excited to announce the awardees for this year's Celebration of Philanthropy. I invite you to learn more about these inspiring members of our community and to mark your calendar for Thursday, November 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets and sponsorships are officially on sale. We are grateful to those who have already committed to this year’s event, and we hope to see you there.

Thank you, as always, for being part of this community. I look forward to connecting with you again soon.

With gratitude,

John Rodenhausen
President & CEO
Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County

Brenda Alexander joined CFAAC in August 2026, taking on the creation of marketing, public relations and event materials in partnership with the Marketing and Communications Manager and other staff members.

Before coming to CFAAC, Brenda spent years reporting and editing for outlets including ESSENCE, Blavity, and Collider. She also managed communications for Bebashi Transition to Hope, the nation's first Black-led sexual health and education organization, where she grew the group's visibility through media coverage, and digital campaigns. Brenda is a graduate of Temple University's Klein College of Media and Communication.

CFAAC is developing its 2027-2029 Strategic Plan, the roadmap that will guide our priorities and impact for years to come, and we want to hear from you. This short, confidential survey takes just a few minutes and will directly inform how we serve Anne Arundel County in the years ahead.

Philanthropists
of the Year

The Earl Family

Nominated by
Luminis Anne Arundel Medical Center

Corporate Philanthropist
of the Year

Covington
Alsina, LLC

Nominated by
Historic Annapolis

Volunteer
of the Year

Margaret Davis

Nominated by
Anne Arundel Women Giving Together

Young Volunteer of the Year

Andre Manning, Jr.

Nominated by
Just One Sweater

Boots on the Ground Award

Lisa
Lutz

Nominated by
Smith Consulting & Events

Carol Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award

Anna E. Greenberg

Nominated by
Historic Annapolis

Carroll H. Hynson Jr. Award for DEI in Philanthropy

Laura Jane
Willoughby

Nominated by
AAC Office of Multicultural Affairs

Congratulations to this year's Celebration of Philanthropy award recipients. Join us on November 12, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at The Hall at Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland. New this year members of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra will be performing a musical opening of the event.

Sponsorship opportunities are now open. Sponsors are recognized in front of hundreds of community members, nonprofit leaders, and philanthropic partners while directly supporting CFAAC's mission to strengthen Anne Arundel County. Contact tperkins@cfaac.org to learn more about sponsorship levels and secure your spot.

2026 Celebration of Philanthropy Sponsors

PRESENTING SPONSORS

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

Anne Arundel Community College Foundation

Blue Heron
Financial Group

Tara Balfe Clifford

Carl & Anita Gutschick

Krall Family Foundation

Bill Thompson

Martha Van Woerkom

Empowering Anne Arundel County Educators to Bring Creative Ideas to Life

According to data collected by the National Education Association for the 2024-25 school year, the average starting teacher salary nationwide sits at a low $48,112. Though salaries vary state to state, it is often not enough to cover the supplies and experiences students need, resulting in teachers filling the gap out of their own pockets, year after year.

CFAAC's Grants 4 Teachers fund exists to ease that burden. Since 2009, it has put more than $130,000 directly into classrooms across our community. Gifts provide immediate impact through the upcoming grant cycle. Gifts to the endowment are invested for permanent, lasting community impact year after year.

Deadline: September 22, 2026
Grant Size: Up to $500
Awards announced:
October 2026

Deadline: October 19, 2026
Grant Size: $50,000 to $200,000
Awards announced:
October 2026

Opens: September 14, 2026 
Deadline: November 2, 2026
Grant Size: $3,000 to $5,000
Awards announced: November 2026

Learn to recognize and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in adults. This two-part virtual course includes self-paced materials plus two live group sessions.

Dates: September 8 & 15
Time: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $25
Location: Online via Zoom

This event is presented by CFAAC, the Nonprofit Center, and ACDS.

Learn to identify, pursue, and win competitive grant funding for your nonprofit. This three-part hybrid training series opens with a virtual overview of Anne Arundel County's primary grant funders, followed by an in-person writing workshop and a virtual one-on-one review session to help polish applications before submission.

Part 1: Intro to Primary Grant Funders
Get an overview of local funding opportunities and RFP requirements directly from the funders themselves, including CFAAC, ACDS, AAWGT, Impact100, and more.

Date: September 15 | 12:00 to1:00 p.m.
Format: Virtual (Zoom)
Cost: Free

SAVE THE DATES:
Part 2: Grant Writing Tips & Speed Networking
October 27 | 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Part 3: 1-on-1 Application Feedback
November 17 | By Appointment

*To participate in Part 3, attendees must have attended Part 1 or Part 2.

AAWGT 2026 Grants Showcase

Join Anne Arundel Women Giving Together on Tuesday, September 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., to celebrate the grantees whose work is changing our community. The event will be held at The Byzantium at Ss. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church. Registration required.

Thursday, September 17, 2026
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Carrol's Creek Cafe

Navigating consent and mental competence in estate planning. Richard J. Berwanger Jr. of Liff Walsh & Simmons shares practical guidance for identifying warning signs, documenting capacity, and protecting clients and practitioners.

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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.