In this edition of the CFAAC Community Connector, we share the latest CFAAC news and impact, recap the 2024 Celebration of Philanthropy, introduce a new fund, and provide updates on grants, upcoming events, and valuable insights for professional advisors.
FOUNDATION NEWS
This letter follows one of CFAAC’s most inspiring events—the Celebration of Philanthropy Awards Luncheon. And all I can say is “wow!” Meeting each and every one of our awardees is always the highlight of my year. Seeing and hearing about their achievements, and the dedication and the enthusiasm of each and every recipient, always gives me great hope for our county’s future.
Speaking of our future and reflecting on the profound influence that these honorees have on our county, it’s important to acknowledge that community thrives on teamwork. This is where we live, grow, and nurture our families. Our community is the source of our encouragement, resilience, and the place we truly feel at home. By uniting our efforts and securing our future, we can continue on an upwards trend of improvement. To that end, we received a challenge match of $20,000 from a generous foundation. That means every dollar you donate to our Community Leadership Fund will be matched dollar for dollar until we reach $20,000. Thanks to this wonderful matching opportunity, your support will go even further!
As YOUR community foundation, we are committed to serving our county and its people and resources in perpetuity. By making a gift through the Community Leadership Fund, you are investing in a brighter future for us all. Your support, alongside of your neighbors and friends, will amplify our impact and continue to create a community where opportunity and hope flourish.
Please consider making a gift during our annual appeal at cfaac.org and know that we are truly grateful for your contribution as we continue to improve the quality of life for all of our county residents.
And during this month when we express our gratitude, let me once again express how grateful I am for all of you who support us. You DO make a difference and we DO appreciate it.
Mary Spencer
CFAAC President & CEO
In Case You Missed It: October's CFAAC Commentary in The Capital Gazette
Why We Celebrate Philanthropy
By Mary Spencer, CFAAC President & CEO
Philanthropy has power. It can create a ripple effect of giving, support and lasting change. That’s why every year the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County commemorates philanthropy—the giving of time, talent, and treasure—in our community at the annual Celebration of Philanthropy Awards Luncheon.
The award recipients at the event often inspire us in both subtle and powerful ways. While some are quietly working under the radar and others are making a difference in a more visible way, all are sincere advocates for positive change.
Vincent (Vince) Omar Leggett is one of those advocates. Recipient of this year’s CFAAC Carol Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award, named in honor of CFAAC’s first Executive Director, Vince has made lasting, significant and impactful contributions to Anne Arundel County. Read More
Explore CFAAC's New Website - Enhanced, Accessible, and Multi-Language
If you haven't had a chance to visit CFAAC's new website, make sure you check it out! Unveiled on October 16, CFAAC launched an all-new, multi-language website designed to be more user-friendly and ADA-compliant to ensure accessibility for all. The updated website features a clean, modern design that makes it easier to navigate and find important resources, programs, and events. Whether you're looking to learn more about CFAAC's mission, explore our community funds, or make a donation, everything is just a few clicks away. Plus, with the multi-language option, we’re making it easier for everyone in our diverse community to engage with us.
Visit www.cfaac.org today to see how we've enhanced your online experience!
CELEBRATION OF PHILANTHROPY
Celebration of Philanthropy Awards Luncheon ReCap
The Celebration of Philanthropy Awards Luncheon was an incredible success thanks to the sponsors, attendees, and CFAAC staff. This year, the Celebration of Philanthropy Awards Luncheon was held at LIVE! Casino & Hotel® Maryland on October 30. Once again, it was a sellout crowd, attended by more than 300 people including Senator Sarah Elfreth, County Executive Steuart Pittman, and many other special guests who celebrated our county's most inspirational and dedicated people.
Congratulations to the 2024 Celebration of Philanthropy Award Recipients
Please join the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC) in congratulating the following 2024 Celebration of Philanthropy Award recipients:
Corporate Philanthropist of the Year: Liff, Walsh & Simmons/Eagle Title, nominated by Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation
Volunteer of the Year: Taylor Pyles, nominated by The Blue Ribbon Project
Young Volunteer of the Year: Tara Chase, nominated by Happy Helpers for the Homeless
Boots on the Ground Award: Carolyn Gibbs, nominated by HOPE For All
Carol Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award: Vincent Omar Leggett, nominated by Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation, Inc.
Legacy Award for Planned Giving: Ethel Groh Webster Williams Trust, nominated by Anne Arundel Community College Foundation, Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation, and University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center Foundation
CFAAC Professional Advisor Recognition Society Inductees
CFAAC also inducted two professional advisors to CFAAC's Professional Advisor Recognition Society during the Celebration of Philanthropy Award Luncheon. The 2024 inductees are:
James P. Nolan, Director, Council, Baradel, Kosmerl & Nolan, P.A.
Ellen D. Shiery, CFP, CDFA, Wealth Management Advisor, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Thank you to our 2024 Celebration of Philanthropy Sponsors!
INSPIRING IMPACT
This Thanksgiving season, we are so grateful for the 68 Designated Funds and the 81 Endowed Funds who partner with us at the Community Foundation. Inspire Impact by donating to one (or more) of these funds today! Inspire Impact
Stock Up Your Stocking on Stock Monday!
Did you know that you can help grow CFAAC’s Community Leadership Fund by donating stock? This option not only benefits the Community Foundation but also can be advantageous for you. By giving appreciated stock, you can save money, increase your donation without extra cost, and have a greater impact on CFAAC!! It’s a win-win-win!
Giving the gift of stock is not complicated with the help of the philanthropic advisors at CFAAC. Donate the gift of stock today to CFAAC's Community Leadership Fund. Call John Rodenhausen, our Director of Gift Planning, at 410.280.1102 ext. 103 or email John@cfaac.org for more information.
This year, Stock Monday falls on December 2. Join others who are giving the powerful gift of stock because they want to make a difference! Learn More
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Bailey Feldman Comes Full Circle for Women and Girls
In March 2023, Bailey Feldman launched Fount & Flourish—a dynamic women’s social community and co-working space in downtown Annapolis where collaboration and giving back go hand in hand. As part of the launch, Fount & Flourish kicked off a month-long series of events that coincided with Women’s History Month, concluding with a special launch party fundraiser for the Bernie House, a transitional housing for survivors of domestic violence.
“We decided for that launch party to find a way to also give back,” Bailey said. “I wanted to integrate giving into our model early on.”
Throughout that first year, Bailey held smaller giving events, such as holding a donation-based Barre class. When Fount & Flourish celebrated its first anniversary, it culminated in a heartfelt celebration that raised funds for CFAAC’s Women and Girls Fund, a fund dedicated to supporting initiatives that empower women and girls to lead positive, fulfilling lives. After making the donation, Bailey felt compelled to engage more deeply and volunteered for the Women and Girls Fund grants selection committee, completing a full-circle journey from raising funds to helping to decide how they are distributed. Read More
STRENGTHENING NONPROFITS
Sign Up Today! Implementing a Corporate Social Responsibility Program
Increasingly, consumers and employees prefer to do business with community-conscious and proactive companies with philanthropic programs. Creating a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative can not only help your company boost profits and build a loyal customer base, but also attract and retain employees. This educational program will help you learn how to set up a CSR program that supports your giving while building your brand.Date: Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Location: Zoom
Presenter: Wendie Veloz, Founder of Wendie Veloz Enterprises LLC, and Social Entrepreneur
Presented in partnership with the Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce.
AAWGT Presents Affordable Housing: Building a Brighter Future for Women and Families in Anne Arundel County
Join Anne Arundel Women Giving Together (AAWGT) for our upcoming Education Program on Affordable Housing: Building a Brighter Future for Women and Families in Anne Arundel County on November 18, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM via Zoom. This important conversation will address the critical issue of affordable housing and its impact on women and families in the community.The expert panelists include:
Erin S. Karpewicz, CEO of Arundel Community Development Services, Inc.
Bonnie Celestine Henderson, Attainable Housing Co-Chair, Anne Arundel Connecting Together (ACT)
Linda Hannifin Bonner, Attainable Housing Co-Chair, Anne Arundel Connecting Together (ACT)
Heather Cassity, Cassity Consulting will be the moderator.
With affordable housing being a significant challenge in Anne Arundel County, this program will explore the housing shortage, who is most affected, and what is being done to address the issue. Join these community leaders as they discuss the importance of affordable housing, community organizing, and advocacy efforts aimed at creating a brighter future for women and families in our county. Learn more and Register
NEWS FOR PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS
REMINDER: AAEPC Membership Registration is Open
AAEPC membership registration is open! Current members can renew anytime between now and January 31.
If you’re renewing a lapsed membership or joining as a new member, you’ll receive a special bonus: 2025 membership includes access to our final educational event of the year—The Dynamic Family: Navigating Complex Estate and Financial Planning case study, happening tonight, November 7th!
Now is the perfect time to renew or activate your membership and continue being part of this vibrant community. Don’t miss out! Learn More & Register
Three Insights Worth a Quick Peek
As 2024 draws to a close, we know how busy life can get—personally and professionally. The team at the Community Foundation is committed to researching, curating, and keeping you up-to-date on the latest trends and developments that could impact your clients’ charitable giving strategies. If you only have 60 seconds, we recommend scanning these three quick updates. Read more.
What Now? Why the Elections Won’t Immediately Change Tax Laws
Many eyes are on the election aftermath, seeking clues about what might happen to the tax laws. Of particular interest is the much-analyzed sunset of the higher estate tax exemption, scheduled for the end of 2025 absent intervening legislation. “Absent intervening legislation” is the key, of course. The November 2024 elections will not immediately change estate tax laws, and it’s a long road. Read more.
Navigating Multiple Charitable Strategies for Ultra-High Net Worth Families
Charitable giving is always an important strategy to discuss with your clients. Many high-net worth individuals are philanthropic, of course, and charitable gifts reduce taxable income and avoid estate taxes. Charitable giving strategies are particularly relevant as you and your clients address the possibility of increases in income and capital gains taxes for high earners as well as increased estate taxes due to the looming exemption sunset. 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 $5 to $7 million annually. Learn more at www.cfaac.org.
