(Annapolis, MD, May 6, 2025) The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC) is now accepting nominations for its 25th annual Celebration of Philanthropy Awards. This is a chance for community members, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and members of the faith communities to nominate an individual, family, group, or organization who has made an inspiring difference in the community. Nominees should demonstrate exceptional generosity through direct financial support, volunteer service, or a life-long commitment to civic and charitable leadership in Anne Arundel County. Nominations will be open through 4 pm. EST on July 10, 2025 — but early submissions are highly encouraged.
Honorees will be notified in August and celebrated at the Celebration of Philanthropy Awards Luncheon on October 29, 2025 at LIVE! Casino & Hotel Maryland in Hanover, MD.
The annual event honors those who exemplify the power of giving and commitment to create lasting, positive change in the community. This year, CFAAC will award eight outstanding Anne Arundel County community leaders in the following categories:
Philanthropist of the Year Award; Corporate Philanthropist of the Year Award; Volunteer of the Year Award; Young Volunteer of the Year Award; Boots on the Ground Award; Carroll H. Hynson, Jr. Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Philanthropy; Carol Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award and The Legacy Award for Planned Giving.
“Philanthropy is more than generosity; it’s a powerful expression of caring for our neighbors and belief in our community’s shared future,” said CFAAC President and CEO Mary Spencer. “The Celebration of Philanthropy Awards give us a chance to honor those who give selflessly and inspire others to do the same. These honorees are the heartbeat of our community.”
Here are the eight award category descriptions:
Philanthropist of the Year Award
Presented to an individual, a family, or family foundation with a proven record of exceptional generosity who has outstanding civic and philanthropic responsibility through direct, substantial financial support, exemplary leadership in advancing philanthropy, and whose generosity encourages others to become philanthropic leaders.
Corporate Philanthropist of the Year Award
Presented to a local business or corporation that has a proven record of exceptional generosity and demonstrates outstanding civic and philanthropic responsibility through direct financial support to Anne Arundel County nonprofits. The local business or corporation encourages and motivates its employees to take leadership roles toward philanthropy and community involvement with local nonprofits.
Volunteer of the Year Award
Presented to an individual or a team of volunteers, (formal or informal) with a long history of volunteering and leadership, who has made a significant impact on community organizations through the donations of time and talent, improving the lives of others, and meeting community needs through their exceptional efforts.
Young Volunteer of the Year Award
Presented to an individual student or a youth group, elementary through college age, who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the community through direct financial support, development of charitable programs, volunteering, and/or leadership. Examples of activities may include but aren’t limited to, performing public services, tutoring, mentoring, raising funds, or collecting goods.
Boots on the Ground Award
Presented to an individual who might be seen as an unsung hero and who has gone above and beyond in the service of one or more nonprofit organizations; giving their time and talent to make a significant impact. This person is hands-on, providing programs or directly involved in programs, physically helping and serving others.
Carroll H. Hynson, Jr. Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Philanthropy
Named in honor of a former CFAAC board member, this award is presented to an individual, group, or organization who has made outstanding contributions to philanthropy by forging genuine partnerships with diverse communities; making a conscious effort to operationalize and reflect diversity, equity, and inclusion in philanthropy including initiatives involving the financial or volunteer support of one or more nonprofits in Anne Arundel County.
Carol Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award
Named in honor of CFAAC’s founder, this award is presented to an individual who has made lasting, significant, and impactful contributions to Anne Arundel County by advancing philanthropy through long-standing leadership; responding creatively to societal problems; and bringing leaders, philanthropists, volunteers, organizations, and businesses together.
Legacy Award for Planned Giving
Recognizes a family or an individual philanthropist who has made a significant contribution to one or more local nonprofits using a planned gift. A planned gift is any major gift, made during their lifetime or at death as part of a donor’s overall financial and/or estate planning. These might include gifts of equity, life insurance, real estate, personal property, or cash.
Learn more about the award categories at https://cfaac.org/Celebration-Philanthropy Sponsors of the Celebration of Philanthropy will have the opportunity to promote their business to our community’s most invested and charitable residents. For more information, contact Jennifer Lagrotteria at 410.280.1102, x102 or jen@cfaac.org.