The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2016 Celebration of Philanthropy Awards. This year’s awardees are: Philanthropist of the Year, Richard Franyo; Corporate Philanthropist of the Year, Development Facilitators, Inc.; Foundation of the Year, Merrill Foundation; Volunteer of the Year, Karen Smith; and Young Volunteer of the Year, Maggie Crawford. CFAAC is pleased to be honoring the Volunteer and Youth Volunteer this year in partnership with the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Center. A committee of past Celebration of Philanthropy Award winners selects award recipients.
The awards will be presented at the 16th annual Celebration of Philanthropy Luncheon on Friday, November 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Loews Annapolis Hotel. Each year more than 375 guests gather to honor extraordinary philanthropists and volunteers in Anne Arundel County. CFAAC hosts this philanthropic event and again this year, Connelly & Associates Fundraising, LLC is the presenting sponsor. Carroll Hynson, Jr. will emcee the event. Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased by clicking here
Philanthropist of the Year Richard “Dick” Franyo has been deeply involved as a community leader and volunteer for many years. He supports numerous organizations and causes he cares about, including the environment, health, education, the arts and others. He is active on the boards of the National Sailing Hall of Fame, Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation, Friends of St. John’s College, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Annapolis Maritime Museum and the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County.
“Dick’s passion for improving the quality of life in our community never fails and is an inspiration to all of us. We have all benefited from his extraordinary leadership and commitment to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay,” says Katharine Snavely, vice president of development for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). CBF nominated Franyo for the award.
Franyo founded the Boatyard Bar and Grill in Eastport 2001. He has donated more than one percent of its annual sales to environmental organizations as a member of 1% for the Planet. Through the Boatyard Bar and Grill Franyo has raised more than $2 million over the past 15 years for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Coastal Conservation Association, and the Maryland League of Conservation Voters. Franyo’s continued investment in the county’s future includes community events and fundraisers that he and the Boatyard sponsor, host and/or financially support.
Anne Arundel County Schools nominated Development Facilitators, Inc. (DFI), a civil engineering firm that serves the Maryland region, for Corporate Philanthropist of the Year, for its leadership and support of public education. Carol Ann McCurdy, director of partnerships, development and marketing for Anne Arundel County Public Schools, describes Ray Streib, DFI’s founder and CEO, as a “true partner in education” who “is committed to ensuring that the youth of Anne Arundel County have the opportunities, experiences, and support they need to be successful and productive.” DFI actively partners with the school system on projects and programs including civil engineering expos and mock interviews for middle and high-school students in the northern part of the county. Streib is a board member for the 21st Century Education Foundation and works closely with the Glen Burnie High School Business Advisory Board. Under his leadership and through his generous gifts of more than $25,000 to Rotary International, Streib has ensured that Rotary clubs in his district participate in projects supporting local schools and communities.
DFI financially supports a variety of nonprofit, educational, and faith organizations and his employees donate countless hours to several organizations. At DFI, each employee is encouraged to volunteer at least 40 hours annually for school programs and activities; this is in addition to the time that DFI gives to support career events and programs, including internships, job shadowing, and mock interviews.
The Foundation of the Year, the Merrill Foundation, has made a lasting impact on Anne Arundel County’s environmental sustainability. Among its many contributions, the Merrill Foundation helped build the nation’s first LEED-platinum building, which houses the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and has supported the development of new technologies to help restore and conserve the Chesapeake. The Foundation is supporting the future revitalization of City Dock through the development of a new Sailing Hall of Fame. The Foundation’s gift of $250,000 to the National Sailing Hall of Fame will anchor this revitalization.
National Sailing Hall of Fame Executive Director Lee Tawney is deeply appreciative. “The Merrill Family Foundation has provided support to transform Anne Arundel County into a sustainable region that values its coastal and water resources as an engine for economic development.” Melissa Ehrenreich, vice president of development for the Chesapeake Conservancy, says, “The Merrill Foundation has educated thousands of Anne Arundel County students and established an environmental tourist destination attracting over 50,000 visitors to deepen the public’s appreciation of the importance of the Bay’s ecosystem. The Foundation has inspired others to lead by example.” The Chesapeake Conservancy nominated the Merrill Foundation for the award.
Volunteer of the Year, Karen Smith has been deeply involved as a leader and champion for the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (ASO). Smith joined the Annapolis Symphony board in 2011, becoming vice chair in 2012 and chair in 2014. She has served two of her five years on the board as chair. She has given generously of her expertise and leadership in board management, fundraising, and strategic planning. She led the negotiations for example that inspired an anonymous donor to make it possible for the ASO to perform at the world-renowned Strathmore Music Center.
“Karen has a powerful sense of vision. She has an extraordinary ability to build relationships and networks,” says Patrick Nugent, executive director of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. “She led the organization through a crucial period of strategic planning. The result is a new sense of optimism, a confidence that fundraising targets can be met.” The ASO nominated Smith for the award.
Smith has also contributed generously with her time and support to programs that advance education, such as the Community Development & Global Citizen Signature Program at Arundel High School, and as a member of Anne Arundel Women Giving Together giving circle, providing leadership to its Education Committee. “She walks the walk, and is never afraid to take on a project and work hard for all the right reasons –a stronger and more viable community,” notes Mary Grace Folwell, president of Anne Arundel Women Giving Together.
The Young Volunteer Award recognizes outstanding leadership and service in the community from a student 21 years of age or younger. Maggie Crawford, an honor roll student at Annapolis High, began volunteering at the Chesapeake Children's Museum when she was seven years old. Her passion for service grew and she has continued her volunteerism at the Anne Arundel County Fair's Halloween Happening and at St. Mary's Parish Vacation Bible Camp. In March 2015, she began volunteering at the SPCA of Anne Arundel County and has contributed more than 300 hours of her time to the shelter. She launched and co-chairs the SPCA’s Adult/Teen Committee which identifies activities that adult/teen pairs can do together to raise funds and promote the mission of the SPCA. She combines two of her passions—animals and baking—and has raised $2,500 for the shelter to provide care for resident animals.
"My love for volunteering is based on helping the animals and the community while also helping myself,” says Maggie. “The joy and happiness I receive from volunteering is unlike anything I've ever experienced. Plus, I also always enjoy a good face cleaning from our shelter dogs.” Maggie lives in Annapolis with her mom, dad, big brother Nick, and her dogs Akeelah and Jasmine.
Celebration of Philanthropy Luncheon Tickets: $100 each; to purchase click here or contact Amy Francis with the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County at, 410.280.1102 or email amy@cfaac.org.