FOUNDATION NEWS
A Message from our President & CEO
CFAAC's Board of Trustees Welcomes New Members
Board Retirements - CFAAC Bids Farewell to Jim Nolan and Jenny Kottler

MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Welcome to CFAAC
Make this the Year for Estate Planning
Help Our Neighbors and Help our Community

COMMUNITY IMPACT
CFAAC Updates Five-Year Strategic Plan

STRENGTHENING NONPROFITS
ACES, Trauma and the Pandemic - Becoming a Trauma Informed County | Jan. 27
Community Grants

NEWS FOR PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS
A Treat to Boost 2021: Congress Extends Charitable Giving Incentives
Keeping Our Community Strong: Your Role is Critical
Consciousness on the Rise: Tips for Advising Impact Investors

FOUNDATION NEWS

A Message from our President & CEO

There are so many reasons to be grateful as we look to the year ahead. With an updated strategic plan in place, three new board members joining us, a hardworking staff, committed donors, and community partners, and a hopeful end to the pandemic, we look to 2021 as a year filled with new promises. While we could have never predicted the challenges of 2020, we now know that we can survive and even thrive through the tough times, and I can only imagine how we will grow and impact our community this year.

There are many things on the agenda for 2021. We will continue to host our educational Strengthening Nonprofits Series as well as our Community Impact Speaker Series, starting with our first one later this month when we feature Dr. Pamela Brown, Executive Director of the Anne Arundel County Partnership for Children, Youth & Families. Pam will lead us in a virtual meeting with insightful discussion and training on Adverse Childhood Experiences. See our article in this newsletter for more information. We will also continue to administer funds through our Community Crisis Response Fund until the need is no longer. And we look forward to our next Celebration of Philanthropy Awards in the fall (in-person, we hope).

The Community Foundation has always been committed to improving the life of Anne Arundel County residents and we believe that 2021 will be a year of opportunity and hope for all. While there is still much need and work to be done in our community, we can celebrate how far we have come, and we have all of you to thank for that.

Best wishes for the New Year.

Mary Spencer
President & CEO

CFAAC's Board of Trustees Welcomes New Members

Please join us in welcoming three new board members to CFAAC's Class of 2021:

Andrea Beegle describes herself as “a financial advisor with a nonprofit heart.” The Anne Arundel County native graduated from Arundel High School then traveled west to pursue a Division I Lacrosse scholarship at the University of California, Berkley, where she graduated cum laude in Mass Communications. With a strong desire to make an impact, Andrea returned East and launched a 15-year career in nonprofit management, working at various DC-based organizations. Andrea’s expertise is at the intersection of philanthropy, marketing, communications, advocacy, and entrepreneurship. Read Andrea’s full bio on our website. 

Vincent Moulden is a lifelong resident of Anne Arundel County and attended Annapolis Senior High School before earning an internship with a local association management firm. There he worked his way from intern to executive director of the state-wide association and managed the marketing initiatives of 12 other associations. Vincent is currently a Community Engagement Officer at the Anne Arundel County Executive’s Office where he represents the County Executive at inter-agency meetings, community association meetings, and community events; reports community problems or issues; identifies options and solutions to the issues raised by the community, as well as a number of other responsibilities. Read Vincent’s full bio on our website.

Martha Van Woerkom grew up in Northern California where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance at the University of California Davis. She spent most of her career at Shell Oil Company in Houston, Texas, where she held various finance, budgeting, and audit positions. Martha has been a repeat Celebration of Philanthropy Sponsor and served as a volunteer Fund For Anne Arundel committee member helping to determine funding priorities before serving as a grant reviewer for the fund’s first cycle of grantmaking. Read Martha’s full bio on our website.

Board Retirements - CFAAC Bids Farewell to Jim Nolan and Jenny Kottler

The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC) thanks both Jim Nolan, CFAAC Immediate Past Board Chair, and Jenny Kottler, Board Member, for their dedicated service to CFAAC over the past years.

“Both Jim and Jenny have been significant contributors to our Board, giving generously of their time as well as their expertise,” said CFAAC President & CEO Mary Spencer. “We will greatly miss their involvement and wish them the best.”

CFAAC's Immediate Past Board Chair James (Jim) Nolan has been involved with CFAAC since its inception. Over the years, Jim brought his keen insight and business acumen to CFAAC through his involvement as a committee member, Board member, and most recently, Board Chair. During his tenure on the Board, Jim focused on establishing a good mechanism for CFAAC to be self-sufficient and sustainable, specifically through endowments. Jim is a Director of Council, Baradel, Kosmerl & Nolan, P.A. where his practice includes general civil and criminal litigation, administrative law, business and commercial law, corporate law, construction law, real estate and land use law, and personal injury law. 

Jenny Kottler served on CFAAC’s Board for three years and offered valuable insights about increasing CFAAC's visibility in the community through its marketing and communications effort. As a dedicated supporter of CFAAC, Jenny and her husband, Bob, have been generous contributors to CFAAC’s Community Leadership Circle, Fund for Anne Arundel, and other organizational priorities. Jenny began her professional life as a banker, then enjoyed 25-years as an independent association executive for several clients, offering strategic and administrative support. Jenny an active community volunteer with Anne Arundel Women Giving Together, and other nonprofit organizations.

The Community Foundation is proud to have a strong and dedicated Board of Trustees guiding its work in the community. Even when Board members retire from their tenure, we know they remain incredible ambassadors out in the community, helping to tell the story of the organization that they helped to so carefully steward. Thank you Jim and Jenny for your contributions!

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Welcome to CFAAC

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

• Lewis Family Fund: A Donor Advised Fund established to support the philanthropic interests of the fund advisors.

• Rosso Family Fund: A Donor Advised Fund established to support the philanthropic interests of the fund advisors.

• Williams Family Fund: A Donor Advised Fund established to support the philanthropic interests of the founder.

Make this the Year for Estate Planning

For many people, the new year marks a time to review past achievements and consider future goals — such as improving the lives of others, as well as our own. One thing to add to your list of goals is making sure your estate plan is up to date. Perhaps something in your life changed in the past year or maybe the events of the past year made you realize the importance of certain charitable organizations. In addition to benefiting your family, a good estate plan will ensure your philanthropy lives on for future generations. The Community Foundation can work with you and your financial advisor to create a plan that meets your needs and achieves your philanthropic goals. For example, you can establish a Donor Advised Fund to benefit the nonprofit organizations you love, and create a legacy component so your support continues many years into the future. Contact Claudia Nichols Cunningham, our Director of Gift Planning, at claudia@cfaac.org or 410-280-1102, Ext. 103 to learn more.

Help Our Neighbors and Help our Community

There are many in our community who are on the verge of losing their homes because they can’t make the rent or losing their jobs because they have no way to get to work. The Help Our Neighbors Fund can help bridge that gap for them. Through the fund, grants are awarded for up to $2,500 to qualified Anne Arundel County nonprofits providing assistance to people who need funds for rent, utilities, car repairs, medicine, food, and other basic necessities. Since 2012, CFAAC has awarded 75 grants, totaling $154,000, donated to 32 unique organizations through the Fund. Today, the Help Our Neighbors Fund continues to be critical in aiding the nonprofits who help individuals and families who find themselves in need.  

The Help Our Neighbors Fund was created in 2008 in response to significant increases in calls for urgent financial assistance for individuals and families. To apply, an organization must be a designated 501(c)(3) and be located in and providing services for residents of Anne Arundel County.

Consider making a contribution through the Help Our Neighbors Fund today. You can be instrumental in making a difference for Anne Arundel County families in need. 

Donate to the Help Our Neighbors Fund

COMMUNITY IMPACT

CFAAC Updates Five-Year Strategic Plan

The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC)’s staff and board members convened in 2020 to update its five-year strategic plan for 2021-2025. A Strategic Planning Subcommittee was formed to determine the final strategic priorities for impact and growth that will serve to guide the organization over the next five years. After reviewing CFAAC’s history, confirming its primary constituents, and researching like-sized community foundation growth strategies and best practices, the plan was updated. Priorities were identified that will help make a difference in strengthening communities and improving the quality of life for all residents in Anne Arundel County.

In keeping with its mission to inspire and promote giving in Anne Arundel County by connecting people who care with causes that matter, CFAAC confirmed the following three strategic priorities: Community Impact & Leadership, Donor-Centered Philanthropy, and Organizational Excellence. Additional priorities, which have been identified as building blocks for success include Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; Effective, Efficient, & Well-trained Staff; and an Optimized Technology Platform.

In addition, the subcommittee also reaffirmed CFAAC’s mission, vision, and values; reviewed the internal and external landscape; identified organizational strengths, opportunities, and external challenges from community stakeholder’s feedback; and evaluated organizational operations, functions, and related  systems.

“The updated plan acknowledges that CFAAC’s community leadership efforts continue to go above and beyond providing high quality philanthropic services such as traditional fund management and grant distribution,” said CFAAC President & CEO Mary Spencer. “In addition, we wanted to make the community aware that CFAAC is a convener of service providers, a thought partner, an advocate for local nonprofits, and works as a catalyst for innovative ideas and community problem-solving.” 

“We are grateful to our Board, Strategic Planning Subcommittee, and staff members who helped refined this plan,” she added. “These strategic priorities will continue to guide us over the next five years to make sure we are serving our community in the most impactful way.” 

To review the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan in its entirety, please visit www.cfaac.org.

STRENGTHENING NONPROFITS

Community Impact Speaker Series Focuses on ACES, Trauma and the Pandemic - Becoming a Trauma Informed County

Wednesday, January 27, 2021
10:00 am – 11:00 am via Zoom

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), often created by economic distress, poverty, and racism, and occurring before the age of 18 years, are a major public health problem in the county, state, and nation. The pandemic is likely to worsen the potential for ACES, especially for children and youth from low-income communities and communities of color. This one hour virtual interaction, featuring Dr. Pamela Brown, Executive Director of the Anne Arundel County Partnership for Children, Youth & Families, will be held on January 27, 2021, and is free to registered participants. The program will help participants understand the impact of ACES, discuss intergenerational trauma in communities, share new research related to ACES and the pandemic, and consider how we can become a trauma-responsive county. Register here.

Community Grants

AAWGT Extends Grant Deadline

Anne Arundel Women Giving Together (AAWGT) is accepting grant applications from nonprofits working to improve the lives of women and families in Anne Arundel County. Grant Application Deadline: January 31, 2021. For more information or to apply, visit: www.givingtogether.org/grants-overview.

2021 Chaney Enterprises Foundation Fund Grant Application 

The 2021 Chaney Enterprises Foundation Fund grant application timeline is as follows:

Cycle 1 – grant applications open from February 1 through March 30; awards made in May.  PLEASE NOTE: This cycle is open to nonprofits located and serving populations primarily outside of Anne Arundel County.
Cycle 2 – grant applications open from July 1 through August 30; awards made in October.

BGE’s Emergency Response Grants

Grants of up to $10,000 are available for eligible 501c3 organizations. Applications are available online now and must be submitted by January 15, 2021. To apply for a grant visit www.bge.com.

County Executive Community Support Grants

Due to limited funding, the following types of projects/programs are encouraged: 1) Operating Costs that allow nonprofit organizations to increase their impact and operate more efficiently and effectively to improve and enrich the lives of Anne Arundel County residents and communities. 2) One-time equipment purchases required for effective program delivery. Applications are available online now and all must be submitted by February 19, 2021. To apply for a grant visit www.aacounty.org. 

Grants Available from Parole Rotary Club

The Rotary Club of Parole (Annapolis) Foundation is receiving grant applicants from now until March 19, 2021 for nonprofit organizations in Anne Arundel County that serve the needs of children in the areas of education, health, and the arts. To apply for a grant visit www.parole-rotary.org.

NEWS FOR PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS

A Treat To Boost 2021: Congress Extends Charitable Giving Incentives

As your clients reboot after a wild 2020, now is a great time to address their charitable giving plans for 2021. COVID-19 has proven to be a marathon, not a sprint. Nonprofit organizations will be relying on the generosity of donors for the foreseeable future to stay afloat and serve the people who need their programs.

Consider dropping a quick note to clients for whom philanthropy is a priority, sharing a few tips that can help make 2021 a better year for our community, read more...

Keeping Our Community Strong: Your Role is Critical

COVID-19 has significantly impacted nonprofit operations across the country and hampered nonprofits’ ability to help their communities during a crisis in which millions of people are in need. The National Council of Nonprofits reports widespread damage to nonprofits’ programs, services, supplies, staffs, and budgets due to the pandemic and current economic challenges. This means nonprofits need philanthropic support now more than ever. Read more...

Consciousness on the Rise: Tips for Advising Impact Investors

The term “impact investing” is said to have emerged in 2007 as a descriptor for deploying capital not only to achieve financial returns, but also to foster social progress and/or avoid harm to people and the environment. 

Since then, impact investing as a discipline among individual and institutional investors, has grown rapidly. According to Barron’s, a total of $502 billion was held in impact investments in mid-2019. A year later, that number stood at $715 billion – an increase of more than 42%. 

As inquiries from your clients increase, and more and more of them ask for your help in exploring impact investing options for their philanthropic and non-philanthropic dollars, keep an eye on opportunities that seem to promote having the cake and eating it, too. Read more...