The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County’s Environment Anne Arundel Fund, established in 2014, supports Anne Arundel County nonprofit organizations working to protect and improve the environment in Anne Arundel County and the Chesapeake Bay.

Nestled in a region of unparalleled natural splendor, Anne Arundel County boasts two state parks, 70 county parks, and an extensive network of recreation and transportation trails. With a remarkable 534 miles of linear coastline, the county ranks second for waterfront acreage statewide. It’s our majestic Chesapeake Bay that truly defines our landscape, standing as the largest estuary in the United States and a beacon of ecological significance.

As outlined in the 2022 CFAAC Community Needs Assessment, Poverty Amidst Plenty VII: Moving Forward Together, Chapter 1: Introduction & Demographics, Environmental Subsection: despite many efforts by federal, state, and local governments and other interested parties, indicators of the health of the Chesapeake Bay, including rates of pollution, and protection of natural habitat and fisheries, continue to receive failing grades. The amount of pollution in the Bay does not meet existing water quality standards. Waterways are considered “impaired” because of excessive levels of major contaminants, which are largely a result of untreated stormwater runoff. Air quality and lead pollution in the drinking water is an issue for vulnerable residents.

Environment Anne Arundel provides grants to nonprofits that: 

• support projects that improve green communities,
• address environmental issues such as stormwater and contaminants,
• or raise awareness in the protection and preservation of the Chesapeake Bay including local streams, rivers, and natural areas.

Grant Impact

Since its inception this fund has distributed more than $120,000 in grants to local nonprofits including Annapolis Green, Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park, Anne Arundel County Watershed Stewards Academy, Arundel Rivers Federation, Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation, Chesapeake Conservancy, Chesapeake Bay Trust, enSprout Inc., Scenic Rivers Land Trust and the Severn River Association, to name a few. 

How You Can Help

Be a part of the solution 

While grants have historically ranged from $3,000 to $5,000, the opportunity exists for an increase in the number and size of grants should donations increase into this fund. Grants awarded to our vital nonprofits are directly correlated to the amount of funding available. 

Donations to the Environment Anne Arundel Fund via check, credit card, stock transfer, wire transfer, estate gift, qualified charitable distribution, or bitcoin. Every donation goes directly into Grants to support the Environment Anne Arundel Fund. 

DONATE TO THE ENVIRONMENT ANNE ARUNDEL FUND

How to Apply

APPLY HERE

Based on available funding, the Environment Anne Arundel Fund will award one or two $3,000 to $5,000 grants. Successful grant applicants will support projects that improve and green communities, address environmental issues such as stormwater, and/or increase awareness and involvement in the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay, local streams and rivers, and other natural areas. Local nonprofits, including schools operating in Anne Arundel County, will be eligible to apply for these funds.

To be eligible to apply, organizations must meet all of the following criteria:

• Operate in Anne Arundel County (AAC), Maryland
• Have a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt designation from the Internal Revenue Service
• Be in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation
• Be in compliance with the Maryland Secretary of State Charitable Organization Registration Requirements
• An organization may file only one application

Timeline:

• Application Open: June 10, 2024 | Deadline: July 26, 2024 | Award Size: $3,000 to $5,000 | Awards in September 2024
• The grant review committee will review applications and conduct interviews if necessary. Grants will be awarded at the conclusion of the process.

Note: A final evaluation assessing project outcomes is required for all grant projects within six weeks of completion. Report formats will be provided. QUESTIONS: See www.cfaac.org under Nonprofits/Grants, or Email/call grants@cfaac.org / 410-280-1102 x 104.

APPLY HERE

Make a Tax-Smart Impact

Many people like you are making tax smart donations with appreciated stocks and bonds, qualified charitable distributions (QCD) from an IRA, or a variety of planned gifts. For more information, please email John@CFAAC.org or call 410-280-1102 ext. 103.

Should you wish to make a non-cash donation, CFAAC accepts gifts of appreciated stock for the benefit of this fund. To initiate this transaction, contact your broker with the number of shares of each security you wish to give. All gifts of stocks and bonds which are “DTC Eligible” can be transferred to CFAAC using the information below:

• Pershing, LLC Depository Trust Company (DTC) #0443 For the credit to: Pershing, LLC #4S2117401
• Account name: The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County

PLEASE NOTE: Donor names are rarely provided when securities are transferred electronically. To ensure your gift is correctly allocated, please email Kathy@CFAAC.org with the gift amount and the name of the fund your gift will support.