In this edition of the CFAAC Community Connector, you'll come across updates about Community Foundation staffing, details about our Celebration of Philanthropy Awards recipients, new CFAAC funds, CFAAC nonprofit initiatives, news for professional advisors, and more.

FOUNDATION NEWS

A Message From our President & CEO

During this holiday a season, I’m taking this moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support throughout the year. Your generosity has been instrumental in advancing our mission and making a positive impact on those we serve.

It is through your support that we can continue to make a meaningful difference in our community. Your belief in our mission is a source of motivation and we are truly grateful for the trust you place in us.

On behalf of our entire team at CFAAC, may your holidays be filled with joy, laughter, and cherished memories. And may the new year bring you promise, good health, and happiness.

Happy holidays,

Mary Spencer
CFAAC President & CEO

End-of-Year Giving Deadlines and Reminders

On behalf of the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County and the nonprofits you support, we express our gratitude for your generosity and commitment to our community in 2023. CFAAC strives to ensure that your contributions have the most significant impact on the causes you care about while maximizing your tax-saving benefits.

With that in mind, and to facilitate the best service and ensure your charitable gifts qualify for a 2023 IRS tax deduction, please take note of the following dates, l earn more here.

CFAAC is Hiring a Philanthropic Services Associate!

The Community Foundation is currently seeking a full-time Philanthropic Services Associate. This position works closely with the President and CEO, Director of Philanthropic Resources, and the Director of Gift Planning to expand CFAAC’s relationships with current and prospective donors and professional advisors.

This is primarily an administrative in-office position. CFAAC’s ideal Philanthropic Services Associate is an administrative professional who is energized by being a critical member of a dynamic team helping to increase philanthropy in Anne Arundel County. Learn more here .

In Case You Missed It: November's CFAAC Commentary in The Capital Gazette

CFAAC’s Celebration of Philanthropy Luncheon Honors our Community Heroes
By Mary Spencer, CFAAC President & CEO

Quietly giving behind the scenes has been Larry Clark's philanthropic approach for many years. While he wears his love for the community on his sleeve, his giving has been silently tucked away under the radar, giving what was necessary and impactful for the nonprofits he cares about most. Read more.

CELEBRATION OF PHILANTHROPY

Celebration of Philanthropy Awards Luncheon Recap

Beneath the vibrant lights and dynamic energy at Live! Casino Hotel,® CFAAC celebrated an afternoon of gratitude and recognition for local community heroes. The glittering chandeliers and large screens provided a perfect backdrop for the 350 attendees who came to support CFAAC’s 23rd annual Celebration of Philanthropy Awards Luncheon on Friday, November 17. There were 10 Celebration of Philanthropy awardees as well as four professional advisors honored at the luncheon.

“The Celebration of Philanthropy Award luncheon honors our community heroes who through their time, talent, or treasures are the architects of our community’s future. Through their kindness and compassion they continue to generate transformative change and positive impact in our county,” said CFAAC President and CEO Mary Spencer. “And, we are so grateful for our sponsors, the champions behind this celebratory luncheon, who made the recognition of these local philanthropic leaders possible.”

All of CFAAC’s honorees exemplify philanthropy’s power to create a better life for everyone and showcase what makes Anne Arundel County a wonderful place to live. Read their inspiring stories and find out more about CFAAC's Celebration of Philanthropy Awards at cfaac.org/Celebration-Philanthropy.

View our thank you video above for a quick glimpse of this year’s celebration!

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

CFAAC Welcomes New Funds

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

Lift As We Climb Foundation: A Corporate Advised Fund created to support the philanthropic interests of the Lift As We Climb Foundation.

During our 25th anniversary year, CFAAC continues to grow and strengthen the endowments of nonprofits to benefit them in perpetuity. Learn more about all of CFAAC's Nonprofit Agency Endowment Funds and this special offer, here.

Permanently Endowed Funds

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region Family Fund

A CFAAC 25th Anniversary Endowed Fund established by The Arc Central Chesapeake Region to support its mission of enabling people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live the lives they choose by creating opportunities, promoting respect and equity, and providing access to services.

Help support The Arc Central Chesapeake Region Family Fund with a special gift this year by donating to their Endowment Fund here.

London Town Foundation Endowment

A CFAAC 25th Anniversary Endowed Fund established by Historic London Town and Gardens to support their mission to inspire a deeper understanding of our region’s history, environment, culture, and arts through living history, historical artifacts, experiential public gardens, and collaborative cultural & arts programs.

Help support the London Town Foundation Endowment with a special gift this year by donating to their Endowment Fund here.

Maryland Hall Endowment Fund

A CFAAC 25th Anniversary Endowed Fund established by Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. Dedicated to Art for All, Maryland Hall is the region’s cultural core, convening and engaging all people—no matter age or background—in arts experiences that strengthen community. Maryland Hall welcomes, connects, and enriches all with inspiring arts experiences.

Help support the Maryland Hall Endowment Fund with a special gift this year by donating to their Endowment Fund here.

Endowment Intention Funds

Saving Chesapeake's Special Places Agency Fund

A CFAAC 25th Anniversary Designated Fund that supports the mission of Chesapeake Conservancy, Inc. Chesapeake Conservancy, Inc. is a team of conservation entrepreneurs who believe that the Chesapeake is a national treasure that should be accessible to everyone and a place where wildlife can thrive. They use technology to enhance the pace and quality of conservation, and they help build parks, trails, and public access sites.

Help support Chesapeake Conservancy, Inc. with a special gift this year by donating to their Designated Fund here.

As our donors and our nonprofit community continue to take advantage of our special 25th anniversary offer to establish a new Designated or Agency Nonprofit Fund to benefit their beloved nonprofit, we encourage our community to support one or more of these funds listed below with a special gift. Each gift will help the nonprofit grow their fund to ensure that their organization is supported in perpetuity. If you don't see your favorite nonprofit listed here, please contact John Rodenhausen, Director of Gift Planning at john@cfaac.org, to find out how you can establish a fund to be added to the list.

Endowment Funds at CFAAC for the benefit of a nonprofit:

Designated Funds at CFAAC for the benefit of a nonprofit with the goal of becoming a permanently Endowed Fund:

NEWS FOR PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS

Benefits of Joining the Anne Arundel Estate Planning Council

In the dynamic world of finance and estate planning, staying ahead requires more than skills – it requires keeping a pulse on the local landscape, continuous learning, and strategic networking. Joining the Anne Arundel Estate Planning Council (AAEPC) offers this with an annual membership.

Benefits include:

Listing in the Anne Arundel Estate Planning Council Member Directory to be made available online at www.aaestateplanning.org/members/directory
Complimentary admission to all regular AAEPC programs
Discounts to special AAEPC programs
Invitations to members-only networking event
NAEPC-brokered discounts and special pricing for marketing, media, software, and subscription
Peer learning network for willing members to share information and informal technical advice with their AAEPC member colleague

In addition to memberships, AAEPC offers sponsorship opportunities for the Council and its programs AAEPC Membership & Sponsorship Details.

By the Numbers: What’s Around the Corner in 2024
It's that time of year. The IRS has issued increases to key planning thresholds, including tax bracket breakpoints, standard deductions, QCD increases, and Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. We break down what each of these increases means for your clients' charitable giving plans and how the Community Foundation can help. Read more.

Charitable Giving Tips for Clients’ Golden Years
The rising popularity of the Qualified Charitable Deduction (QCD) appears to be inspiring an increasing number of retirees to re-evaluate their charitable giving plans. Before the clock winds down on 2023 giving opportunities, be sure you’re familiar with the various charitable giving techniques that are most appealing to retirees and the various ways that CFAAC can help.
Here are four characteristics of retirees and their charitable giving situations that will help you serve your retired clients. Read more.

Preventing Client Attrition Across Generations
Regardless of your business or industry, retaining your clients or customers is a key to success. And as the saying goes, it’s easier and less costly to retain or get more work from a current client than it is to find a new client. Did you know that philanthropy is an excellent tool for retaining children as clients after their parents pass away? Read more.