Support the Community
Your annual support of CFAAC’s Community Leadership Fund allows CFAAC to respond quickly and effectively to the most pressing community needs and issues through changing times. We not only make grants to local nonprofits but also partner with them to help them achieve their programmatic goals and create real, lasting impact on individuals in our community. Together, we can invest in Anne Arundel County and ensure a brighter future for all.
Awards grants from $25,000 to $50,000 to supports programs prioritizing the health of Anne Arundel County children and families, including access to physical, mental, and behavioral health programs.
Funds grants up to $500 to educators with highly creative ideas for public school classrooms that are otherwise impossible due to funding constraints. The fund helps support teachers’ creative ideas to stimulate and inspire students’ learning.
Supports educational programs and training for nonprofits to develop organizational capacity in areas such as fundraising, nonprofit management, board development, marketing and communications, as well as other capacity-building opportunities.
Provides flexible financial assistance to Anne Arundel County nonprofits immediately following a violent incident, natural disaster, or other crisis in our community.
Provides grants from $3,000 to $5,000 to support nonprofits that help women and girls pursue positive, productive lives by helping remove barriers, increasing economic security, enhancing well-being and safety.
Provides grants from $3,000 to $5,000 to support nonprofits working to protect and improve the environment in Anne Arundel County and the Chesapeake Bay.
This fund provides grants to nonprofits, empowering individuals and families to engage with a wide range of arts and cultural activities, from performing arts to literature. It’s a comprehensive effort to promote participation and appreciation across all aspects of culture.
This fund provides grants to nonprofits working to reduce hunger and food insecurity among residents of Anne Arundel County. It supports programs that ensure access to nutritious meals, promote sustainable food resources, and address the root causes of hunger. It’s a focused effort to improve health, dignity, and stability for individuals and families facing food challenges.
With a single gift to CFAAC, you can establish a fund tailored to support the causes closest to your heart. This fund can be personalized to reflect your philanthropic vision, offering flexibility in how and when you contribute. As a 501(c)(3) organization, your contribution to CFAAC qualifies for an immediate tax deduction, allowing you to make a gift when it is most financially beneficial to you. You can also add to your fund at any time and in any amount, ensuring your philanthropic efforts grow alongside your evolving interests and goals.
Join or Start a Giving Circle
A giving circle, such as Anne Arundel Women Giving Together, is a collaborative approach to philanthropy where a group of individuals come together to pool their financial resources and collectively decide how to allocate these funds to support local nonprofit organizations. Members of a giving circle share a common interest in making a positive impact on their community. By combining their donations, they can provide more substantial support than they might individually.
Community Engagement: Giving circles focus on specific issues or causes, fostering deeper community involvement, a shared sense of purpose and collective impact.
Educational Opportunities: Members participate in educational sessions to learn about community needs, effective philanthropic strategies, and local nonprofits, enabling members to make informed decisions.
Networking and Collaboration: Giving circles connect like-minded individuals who are passionate about philanthropy and community service, allowing them to exchange ideas, share experiences, and collaborate on initiatives.
Anne Arundel Women Giving Together – A Component Fund of CFAAC
This giving circle is a group of women who pool their resources to make grants that support nonprofit groups in Anne Arundel County. They engage in educational activities to understand better the issues impacting women, children, and families in their community.
Develop Your Philanthropic Gift Planning Strategy
Creating a strategic approach to your charitable giving can help you maximize the impact of your donations and ensure that your philanthropic goals are achieved. Developing a philanthropic gift planning strategy involves careful consideration of your values, interests, and financial situation, as well as the needs of the community.
Legacy Planning: Establishing a legacy fund allows you to leave a lasting impact on the causes you care about. You can work with CFAAC and your professional advisor to set up a fund that specifies which nonprofits you want to support and how you want your contributions to be used. This planning ensures that your charitable intentions are honored even after your lifetime.
Tax Benefits: By making a charitable gift to or through CFAAC, a 501(c)(3) organization, you may qualify for an immediate tax deduction. Your professional advisor can help you understand the tax implications and optimize the timing and structure of your contributions.
Flexible Giving Options: You can establish a fund that allows you to make contributions at times that are financially advantageous for you. You can also add to your fund over time, ensuring that your philanthropic efforts evolve alongside your interests and financial capacity.
Customized Support: Whether you want to support a specific cause, create a scholarship fund, or establish an endowment, CFAAC can provide personalized support to help you design a giving plan that reflects your values and priorities.
By developing a strategic approach to your philanthropy, you can make a more significant and lasting impact on the causes that matter most to you. Here are some additional considerations that can help you create a thoughtful plan:
- Identify Your Philanthropic Goals: Reflect on the issues and causes that you are most passionate about. Consider what kind of impact you want to make and what specific outcomes you hope to achieve.
- Research Nonprofits: Investigate organizations that align with your values and goals. Look for nonprofits that have a proven track record of success and transparency in their operations.
- Consult Professionals: Work with financial advisors, tax professionals, and estate planners who can provide expert advice on how to structure your giving in a way that maximizes both the impact of your contributions and the financial benefits to you.
- Choose the Right Type of Fund: Decide whether you want to establish an endowed fund (which provides long-term support) or a non-endowed fund (which allows for more immediate impact). Consider other fund options like Field of Interest Funds, Designated Funds, and Scholarship Funds based on your specific goals.
- Monitor and Adjust: Regularly review the impact of your giving and adjust your strategy as needed. Stay informed about the community and the evolving needs of the nonprofits you support.
- Engage Family and Community: Involve your family in your philanthropic planning by sharing your values and ensuring your legacy of giving continues. Collaborate with other donors and community members to amplify the impact of your contributions.
Building Community Together: How You Can Help
Community challenges are best addressed when we work together. At the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC), we bring people, ideas, and resources together to create positive change and strengthen our community.
COLLABORATE.
Join like-minded donors who pool their resources and contribute to grantmaking funds at CFAAC, such as the Fund for Anne Arundel. Established in 2017, this flexible fund supports critical needs across the county and improves the quality of life for all residents—now and in the future. Fund for Anne Arundel grantmaking has supported nonprofits prioritizing the physical, mental, and behavioral health of children and families, and in 2025, expanded to include homeless prevention programs, mental wellness initiatives, and school and after-school programs. As a partially endowed fund, it will continue to adapt and respond to the county’s most urgent needs for generations to come.
DONATE.
CFAAC offers Donor Advised, Designated, and Field of Interest Funds, as well as Nonprofit Agency Endowment Funds, all of which provide meaningful opportunities for donors to support the causes that matter most to them. Your gift, whether to the Fund for Anne Arundel or another CFAAC fund, helps create long-term solutions and builds a stronger community. Give at cfaac.org/donate
ADVOCATE.
Guided by principles of equity and data-driven decision-making, CFAAC works tirelessly to lay the groundwork for sustainable progress. You can join us by speaking up for the nonprofits and initiatives that are essential to the well-being of Anne Arundel County.
VOLUNTEER.
Your time and talent make a difference. Volunteering with local nonprofits puts you at the heart of the work, providing firsthand insight into the needs of the community and how you can help address them.
STAY INFORMED.
CFAAC offers free educational programs throughout the year and regularly shares updates on philanthropic opportunities, community needs, and local impact. Join our email list to stay connected and informed.