Each Field of Interest Fund pools donor contributions with others to support areas of need, whether it’s empowering women and children, improving food access, responding to crises, supporting the arts, helping the underserved, or protecting the environment. These funds were created in response to both the community needs identified in CFAAC’s Community Needs Assessment Report: Poverty Amidst Plenty and the requests of generous donors who realize the power of collective giving. Donors like Marie Clampet, who supports both the Women and Girls and Grants 4 Teachers Funds. “We feel putting our donations in a pool allows more dollars to be accumulated for any specific organization,” she said. “This is a great way to give back to the community.”

Donor Jan Hoffberger also contributes to a Field of Interest Fund. “I have chosen to participate as a donor to the Women and Girls Fund because I have long been concerned about the need for improved opportunities for at-risk women and girls in Anne Arundel County,” said Jan. “Supporting the fund is an extension of my direct personal philanthropy that hopefully encourages others to join me in supporting much-needed programs in our community.”

Like Marie and Jan, when you give to a Field of Interest Fund, you can trust that funding will be managed effectively and efficiently through a competitive grant making process to make sure grants are distributed to where they are needed most. This process ensures your gifts stay focused on local needs while remaining flexible to adapt as those needs change. Every grant supports programs right here in Anne Arundel County. Plus:

-You do not need to be actively involved in the grantmaking process yet you can play a critical role in supporting the community with your donation.

-Your donations can be made in many ways, including cash, check, credit card, stock, a grant from a Donor Advised Fund, or even directly from your IRA as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).

-You can choose to include a Field of Interest Fund in your estate plan, creating a legacy that continues to support the causes you care about for years to come.

You can contribute to any of our Field of Interest Funds such as our Fund for Anne Arundel, Food Insecurity Fund, Women and Girls Fund, Environment Anne Arundel Fund, and others, knowing that your generosity will address today’s needs and create opportunities for the future. Learn more at cfaac.org or contact us to talk about the causes that matter most to you at 410.280.1102.