The Help Our Neighbors Fund was created in 2008 in response to significant increases in calls for urgent financial assistance for individuals and families.

Grants will be awarded from a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $2,500. The funds should provide emergency assistance in paying for rent, car repair, utilities, medicine, food and other basic necessities. Disbursements from the grant should be made directly to the vendor providing the service or fulfilling the emergency need (i.e. utility company, landlord, pharmacy, grocery gift card) unless exceptional circumstances apply. The severity and urgency of the need to be addressed and the impact of the financial support on an individual's or family's ability to remain independent should be the determining consideration in the disbursement of funds. An organization may apply for a subsequent grant after sufficient documentation of disbursements made from a previous grant.

Grants have been made to a number of local agencies including Fuel Fund of Maryland, Owensville Primary Care, Blessed in Tech Ministries Inc. SPAN, Inc., Downtown Hope, St. James Parish, The Light House Homeless Prevention Center, and more. These agencies report helping hundreds of people by paying for important expenses like rent and utilities enabling their clients to stay in their homes and keep warm or cool; pay fees for licenses and certification or transportation to work; pay for essential medication and medical care to return to or maintain their health.

One recipient wrote,

“Dear Community Foundation, I wanted to say thank you for your gift of a new beginning. By helping me with my rent I am now able to stay in my home and proceed with my GED and finding a new job. There has been a huge weight lifted off my heart and soul because I know now there are still good people in the world.”

To apply, an organization must be a designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit under the Internal Revenue Code, or a faith-based organization, and be able to provide evidence of that designation. Registration status with the Maryland Secretary of State must be Current. The organization must be located in and providing services for residents of Anne Arundel County. Eligible organizations must have a proven and well-established capacity to determine eligibility for urgent financial assistance, and a track record of ensuring that financial assistance is provided to families and individuals with the most need in Anne Arundel County. Eligible organizations must have a transparent and documented process for tracking the use of their financial assistance.

Please contact with any questions: grants@cfaac.org or 410-280-1102 x104.

Community Crisis Response Fund

Grants For Teachers

Help Our Neighbors

Women and Girls Fund

Environment Anne Arundel Fund