Our county’s philanthropic story is one of love, generosity and community spirit. For generations, the people and organizations of Anne Arundel County have shaped this place through their compassion and commitment to causes that matter. From health care and education to workforce development, addiction recovery, the environment, mental health and homelessness — our community has always stepped up to turn compassion into meaningful action.
Some of Anne Arundel County’s earliest and most impactful philanthropy supported local health care. In 1902, Edwin Seidewitz, a local florist and former mayor of Annapolis, donated a farmhouse to serve as a medical facility. When the growing population required expansion of the Annapolis Emergency Hospital, county residents again came together to fund what became the Anne Arundel Medical Center in 1910. When that location could no longer meet the needs of the community, a capital campaign rallied donors across the county to help build what we know today as Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC). Since the creation of the LHAAMC Foundation in 1983, it has raised more than $275 million to support health care. Beyond hospitals, our residents have long rallied around specific health causes from cancer and diabetes research to the growing movement for mental health awareness and support.
Our community’s generosity also shines brightly in education and youth mentorship. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, founded 165 years ago in Hartford, Connecticut, opened its first Maryland club in 1939 and, by 1988, its first in Anne Arundel County. Since then, local organizations have carried that spirit forward — empowering young people and shaping our county’s future. Nonprofits such as The Complete Player Charity, Seeds 4 Success, Charting Careers, Blue Ribbon Project, Superior Future, Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR) and Walk the Walk are just a few examples of groups helping children grow and thrive. The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County’s funds, including the Women and Girls Fund and the Fund for Anne Arundel, continue this legacy by focusing on the needs of children and families.
The founding and growth of Anne Arundel County are deeply tied to the natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay. For centuries, a thriving economy has flourished along the county’s 533 miles of shoreline and throughout its watershed. Today, we are deeply grateful for the organizations dedicated to protecting this beautiful and economically vital ecosystem. The Chesapeake Bay, the nation’s largest estuary, has inspired countless efforts to preserve its health and splendor. Chief among them are the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Scenic Rivers Land Trust, the Severn River Association and Watershed Stewards Academy. Together with CFAAC’s Environment Anne Arundel Fund, these organizations play vital roles in safeguarding this national treasure for generations to come.
Equally inspiring are the family legacies of giving that have helped shape our county for decades, if not centuries. The strength of Anne Arundel County rests on the generosity of families who have invested their time, talent and treasure — often across generations — to ensure that the organizations and institutions we cherish continue to thrive.
That spirit of generosity was already deeply rooted in Anne Arundel County when I arrived in 1993. I quickly fell in love with the people, the culture, the landscape and the strong sense of community that make this place so special. My love for the water — and my years as an angler and boat captain — deepened my connection to the Chesapeake Bay and to the dedicated stewards working to protect it. Their example guided my path into the nonprofit world and ultimately led me here.
From an early age, I learned that even a small act of generosity can make a lasting difference. We’ve all needed the support of others at some point in our lives, and giving back is one of the most meaningful ways to express gratitude for those who helped lift us up. In my work as a philanthropic advisor, I’m privileged to meet people every day who put this belief into practice. Now, as the new President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County, I have the great honor of elevating my service to the community that has been my home for more than three decades. I have never been prouder to be part of this remarkable place — and to work alongside the people whose generosity and compassion continue to shape its future.
John Rodenhausen is the new president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC), 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. Its 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 $6 to $8 million annually.
This article was originally published in the Capital Gazette on November 9, 2025.