In this edition of the CFAAC Community Connector, discover the latest updates,   Year-End giving dates, a special thank you, grants made, scholarship applications, upcoming events — including a virtual Community Needs Assessment presentation, and expert insights for professional advisors.

This time of year is all about tradition. Traditions can bring us comfort as well as maintain connections with our ancestors and community. In my life, enjoying a good meal with family and friends during the holidays is just one of my favorite traditions that bring me joy.

The tradition of holiday giving is centuries old. From early winter celebrations where communities gathered to share their resources, to long-standing cultural customs that honor kindness and connection, generosity has long been part of our holidays.

Giving back is something our CFAAC community does exceptionally well. Your support is truly inspiring. because it is a critical part of what brings hope and new possibilities to our county. Every gift you make helps us to award grants to nonprofits — nearly $9 million this year — and create new educational programs for local nonprofits and philanthropists.

Your belief in our work keeps us motivated every day, and we are tremendously grateful for you. From all of us to all of you, we hope this holiday season brings great joy and wonderful memories. Enjoy it to the fullest and perhaps start a new tradition of your own.

Happy holidays,

John Rodenhausen
CFAAC President & CEO

How Philanthropy Shaped Anne Arundel County By John Rodenhausen, CFAAC President & CEO

Our county’s philanthropic story is one of love, generosity and community spirit. For generations, the people and organizations of Anne Arundel County have shaped this place through their compassion and commitment to causes that matter. From healthcare and education to workforce development, addiction recovery, the environment, mental health and homelessness — our community has always stepped up to turn compassion into meaningful action.

On behalf of the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County and the nonprofits you uplift through your generosity, thank you for your commitment to strengthening our community throughout 2025. As the year comes to a close, we want to ensure your charitable giving has the greatest impact while maximizing your tax benefits.

With that in mind, and to facilitate the best service and ensure your charitable gifts qualify for a 2025 IRS tax deduction, please review the deadline dates noted here.

Thanks to all who were part of our 25th annual Celebration of Philanthropy Awards Luncheon. Your commitment to generosity and kindness is what makes this community so special. Save the Date for next year's Celebration of Philanthropy: November 12, 2026.

Don’t forget—CFAAC is a 501(c)(3), too! We need your support to continue making an impact in our community. And we accept all forms of donations—including stock. 

CFAAC recently published the 2025 Community Needs Assessment Report: Poverty Amidst Plenty VIII, Building Community Together, a data-rich report intended to increase knowledge and awareness about persistent local trends and needs in Anne Arundel County. 

You're invited to attend a virtual Community Needs Assessment Report presentation and Q & A with Pamela Brown, Ph.D., the Executive Director of the Anne Arundel County Partnership for Children, Youth and Families on December 9, from 10 a.m. to noon.

NOTE: Dr. Brown will also present the summaries from the focus groups held at two previous presentations. Even if you attended in person, you may have additional questions or thoughts since then, so we invite you to join us again.

The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC) has launched the Food Insecurity Fund, a new initiative dedicated to addressing the urgent and ongoing challenge of hunger throughout Anne Arundel County. The Fund’s first grant of $40,000, distributed to the Anne Arundel County Food Bank is already helping local families put food on the table amid growing demand and reduced government support.

The Lance Corporal Eric William Herzberg and Lance Corporal William Taylor Wild IV Scholarship (Herzberg-Wild Scholarship) was established at CFAAC in 2014 by anonymous donors to honor two fallen Marines, Eric W. Herzberg and Taylor Wild IV, both residents of Anne Arundel County.

The Herzberg-Wild Scholarship awards one $10,000 scholarship annually to a deserving high school senior from Anne Arundel County Public Schools. The application opened on November 11, 2025 and closes on March 18, 2026.

The Officer Grant Turner Memorial Scholarship Fund was established after Officer Grant Turner passed away to honor his love of sports and baseball. The fund advisors host one of the largest preseason baseball tournaments in the state.

Scholarship funds may only be used for tuition, fees, and books at institutions of higher education. Four scholarship opportunities are available, each valued at $1,700. This one-time disbursement of $1,700 will be paid directly to the institution. The application opened on November 11, 2025 and closes on March 18, 2026.

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

Helene Tenner AAWGT LTM Fund
An Endowed Fund that supports Anne Arundel Women Giving Together’s mission of funding programs that are devoted to improvinTg the lives, health, education, and well-being of women, their children, and families.

Aging in place often comes down to being able to do the simplest things — getting to a doctor’s appointment, fixing a loose handrail, or finding a safe way to get to the grocery store. Partners in Care (PIC) turns what could be everyday challenges for older adults into opportunities for connection by using volunteers who drive, repair things, install grab bars, and support seniors so they can live independently.

Through a CFAAC Fund for Anne Arundel grant, PIC is looking to increase the number and kinds of services it offers to seniors living in Anne Arundel County, making sure these acts of kindness continue and provide a lifeline to many. When seniors can no longer drive, safely navigate their communities, or manage small household tasks — even simply changing a light bulb — their risk of housing insecurity grows. Partners in Care helps by providing the support these seniors need to safely stay where they are.

Top Photo: The PIC ride-share program offers friendly, trained drivers who transport peers to medical appointments, grocery stores, and more.

Middle Photo: Members of the CFAAC staff and board meet with PIC staff.

Bottom Photo: CFAAC staff and Board visited PIC Arundel County headquarters. (L-R) CFAAC’s Jennifer Lagrotteria, PIC’s Sharon Smith, CFAAC Board member Deborah Stark, CFAAC’s Ros Calvin, CFAAC Board member Naeemah Staggs, PIC’s Amy Van Orden and CFAAC’s John Rodenhausen.

Anne Arundel Women Giving Together (AAWGT) is excited to support programs that uplift women and families across Anne Arundel County. In May 2025, they awarded $226,316 to their 2025 grantees, organizations of all sizes doing incredible work, and they are grateful for these partnerships. 

A sneak-peek of the 2026 grant application (English & Spanish) is now available, with the online portal opening January 1–31, 2026. Applicants must be 501(c)(3)s (or have a fiscal sponsor), serve AACo residents, and have gross annual revenue under $1M. Read more here. 

Mark your calendar: Join AAWGT's applicant workshop on January 7, 2025 (9:30 am or 1:30 pm on Zoom) to learn more. AAWGT looks forward to seeing your proposals and continuing to support the community together.

As you counsel clients through year-end tax planning, the Community Foundation encourages you to remind them that 2025 presents a critical window of opportunity for charitable giving before major provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) take effect on January 1, 2026. This is especially true for clients who itemize deductions. The new law could significantly reshape the tax treatment of charitable contributions in ways that may reduce the tax value of gifts made after this year. 

Read more.

Retaining clients is a cornerstone of long-term business success, no matter the profession or industry. Keeping an existing client, and earning additional work from that client, is far easier and more cost-effective than securing a new client. For professionals who work in estate, tax, and financial planning, this principle becomes especially important during one of the most delicate stages of engagement: the period following a client’s death.

Here's why building relationships with the client's children matters.

Read more.

The team at the Community Foundation is honored to work with attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors to help clients turn generosity into lasting impact. Of course, as you work with your charitable clients, you routinely determine the best way to incorporate philanthropic intentions into wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations. But how frequently do you document clients’ charitable intentions explicitly as part of incapacity planning? 

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 $6 to $9 million annually. Learn more at www.cfaac.org.