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Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County Inc

Annual Giving
$4.7M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo

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Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County Inc - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,715,093 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $43 million (2025)
  • Grant Range: $100 - $50,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Anne Arundel County, Maryland
  • EIN: 52-2098698
  • Charity Navigator Rating: 100% (Four-Star rating)

Contact Details

Address: 900 Bestgate Road, Suite 400, Annapolis, MD 21401

Phone: 410-280-1102

Website: www.cfaac.org

Grant Inquiries: grants@cfaac.org or contact Rosalind Calvin at 410-280-1102 x104

Overview

Established in 1998, the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC) is one of the largest funders of nonprofit organizations in Anne Arundel County. The foundation's mission is to inspire and promote giving in Anne Arundel County by connecting people who care with causes that matter. CFAAC manages more than 200 named funds and endowments supporting nonprofits across the county. Under the leadership of President and CEO Mary Spencer (2018-2025), the foundation experienced remarkable growth, with assets increasing from $14 million to $43 million and more than $68 million raised. In 2023, CFAAC distributed 657 grants totaling more than $6.5 million to nonprofits. The foundation has a nine-person staff that actively participated in nearly 400 community meetings and events in 2024, engaging with approximately 10,000 individuals throughout Anne Arundel County and beyond.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

CFAAC sponsors numerous grant opportunities for nonprofits, awarding between $4 and $6 million in grant funding annually. Key programs include:

Fund for Anne Arundel: $25,000 - $50,000 (largest program)

  • Awards grants to support programs prioritizing the health of children and families in Anne Arundel County
  • Focus areas include physical, mental, and behavioral health services for children, mental wellness programs, homelessness prevention, and school and after-school programs
  • Applicants may request either a one-year grant or a renewable grant of up to $25,000 per year for two years
  • Applications open mid-March, close mid-April, awards announced in June

Environment Anne Arundel Fund: $3,000 - $10,000

  • Supports nonprofits working to protect and improve the environment in Anne Arundel County and the Chesapeake Bay
  • Applications typically open in February with a March deadline, awards in April

Family Protection Fund (Immigrant Families Support): Grant amounts vary

  • Awards grants to nonprofits supporting immigrant families in Anne Arundel County through legal aid and crisis support
  • Provides immigration-related legal representation, emergency assistance, and family stability resources
  • Applications typically open in August with September deadline, awards in October

Help Our Neighbors Fund: $250 - $2,500

  • Supports nonprofits providing essential emergency support to Anne Arundel County residents in need
  • Covers rent, car repairs, utilities, medicine, food, and other basic necessities
  • Applications typically open in September with October deadline, awards in November

Women and Girls Fund: $3,000 - $5,000

  • Supports nonprofits helping women and girls pursue positive, productive lives
  • Focus on removing barriers, increasing economic security, enhancing well-being and safety, and empowering positive life decisions

Grants 4 Teachers: $100 - $500

  • Empowers Anne Arundel County Public Schools teachers and counselors with resources for creative classroom ideas
  • Since 2009, has distributed hundreds of grants totaling more than $100,000
  • Projects must be creative and enhance classroom learning
  • Volunteer committee including retired teachers, business people, and parents reviews applications

Nonprofit Capacity Building: Various amounts

  • Supports educational programs and training for nonprofits in fundraising, nonprofit management, board development, marketing and communications
  • Applications accepted year-round and reviewed on case-by-case basis, decisions rendered within 4 weeks

Community Crisis Response Fund: Flexible amounts

  • Provides flexible financial assistance to Anne Arundel County nonprofits following violent incidents, natural disasters, or other community crises
  • Has awarded $122,000 to local nonprofits through this program

Priority Areas

  • Physical, mental, and behavioral health services for children and families
  • Homelessness prevention and emergency assistance
  • Mental wellness programs and initiatives
  • School and after-school programs
  • Environmental protection and Chesapeake Bay conservation
  • Support for immigrant families (legal aid and crisis support)
  • Women and girls empowerment and economic security
  • Teacher support and innovative classroom learning
  • Nonprofit capacity building and organizational development

What They Don't Fund

Geographic Restrictions:

  • Nonprofit organizations based outside of Anne Arundel County are not eligible to apply (though encouraged to collaborate with Anne Arundel County nonprofits)
  • Programs must serve only Anne Arundel County residents

Eligibility Restrictions:

  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt designation active for at least 2 years
  • Organizations not in good standing with Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation or not in compliance with Maryland Secretary of State Charitable Organization Registration Requirements
  • For certain programs (AAWGT), nonprofits with gross annual revenue over $1,000,000 (excluding in-kind revenue)
  • Projects that have already begun or been fully funded from other sources (Grants 4 Teachers)
  • Individual applicants (grants made to organizations only)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Board Chair: H. Lawrence (Larry) Clark

Vice Chair: Amy B. Tate (General Counsel, Tate Automotive Companies)

Secretary: Lawrence B. Burrows (Independent Director and Chair of the Audit Committee, TriPointe Homes)

Board Members (as of 2025):

  • Aris T. Allen, Jr. (joined 2025)
  • Calandra Dixon Layne (joined 2025)
  • Deborah Stark (joined 2025)
  • Ed Ponatoski (Operating Executive with New Mainstream Capital, joined 2025)
  • Marguerite (Marcie) Keane Gibbons (joined 2024)
  • Crystal Watkins Williams (Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs, Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies, joined 2024)
  • Michael Lehr, Esq.
  • Kate Belden Schoff (Senior Financial Advisor and Managing Director-Investments, Wells Fargo Advisors)
  • Vincent Moulden (Director of Community Engagement & Constituent Services, Anne Arundel County Executive's Office)
  • Jennifer A. Pratt (Vice-President, Atapco Financial Services, Inc.)
  • Naeemah Staggs (Senior Training Specialist, University of Maryland School of Social Work)
  • Andre Dillard (AACPS Director of Mentorship Programs)
  • Neil J. Weissman, MD, FACC, FASE (Chief Scientific Officer for MedStar Health)

Trustee Emeriti: Becki Kurdle (Community Volunteer), Ashley Robison St. Clair

Staff

President and CEO (through end of 2025): Mary Spencer

Director of Gift Planning: John Rodenhausen (joined February 2023)

Director of Philanthropic Resources: Jennifer Lagrotteria (joined October 2023)

Philanthropic Services Associate: Camille Kalb (joined December 2023)

Nine-person staff team

Leadership Quotes

Mary Spencer on her tenure: "Leading the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County has been one of the greatest honors of my life. The work we have done together — our donors, partners, board, and staff — has created lasting impact, and I couldn't be prouder of what we have accomplished."

On community foundations' role: "In times of challenge, uncertainty or transition, community foundations can bring people together for a common cause: the community."

On meaningful giving: "Discovering and funding your passions is at the root of all meaningful giving."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

CFAAC uses online application portals for most grant programs. Applications are submitted through their website at cfaac.org/apply/for-nonprofits/nonprofit-grants/. Each program has specific application windows and requirements detailed on the foundation's website.

The foundation hosts a FY27 Grant Application Training Series, a two-part program designed to help nonprofits in Anne Arundel County strengthen their grant applications and increase their chances of securing funding.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by program:

  • Nonprofit Capacity Building: 4 weeks from submission
  • Fund for Anne Arundel: Applications open mid-March, close mid-April, finalists selected in June, funding period July 1 - June 30
  • Environment Anne Arundel Fund: Applications open February, deadline March, awards announced April
  • Immigrant Families Support: Applications open August, deadline September, awards October
  • Help Our Neighbors Fund: Applications open September, deadline October, awards November

Grants are awarded directly to organizations. A mid-year and final evaluation assessing project outcomes is required for all grant projects within six weeks of completion.

Success Rates

In 2025, CFAAC awarded a record $510,000 through the Fund for Anne Arundel to 13 nonprofits, representing the largest amount granted in the program's history. The foundation reported receiving a record number of applications for this program. Specific overall success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed.

In 2023, CFAAC distributed 657 grants totaling more than $6.5 million.

Reapplication Policy

Prior CFAAC grant recipients may apply for new grants. However, applicants must have completed all follow-up reports by the required deadline. If there are funds remaining from a prior grant, the nonprofit must provide an explanation of what percentage is uncommitted and why, and the relation to the program for which they are applying.

Application Success Factors

Based on CFAAC's published guidance, successful applications demonstrate:

Strategic and Data-Informed Solutions: CFAAC looks for solutions aligned with community needs and your organization's mission. Applications should include data supporting the identified need and demonstrating how your approach addresses it.

Innovation and Replicability: The foundation values innovative or creative solutions with replicable models that could be adapted or scaled.

Measurable Impact: Applications must demonstrate the ability to create measurable impact through evidence-based and evidence-informed services. Strong evaluation plans are essential.

Clear, Accessible Writing: The review committee is a diverse group of caring community leaders with varied knowledge of organizations. CFAAC specifically advises applicants to avoid using industry-specific abbreviations and acronyms, and provide sufficient context and background for anyone unfamiliar with your organization.

Organizational Capacity: Demonstrated track record and expertise in the proposed program area. Prior grant recipients must show they have successfully completed previous projects and fulfilled reporting requirements.

Alignment with Priority Areas: Applications should clearly align with the specific focus areas of the grant program, particularly for the Fund for Anne Arundel's annual focus (e.g., 2025 focused on physical, mental, and behavioral health of children).

Realistic Budgets: Well-justified budgets aligned with project goals.

Recent Funding Examples: In 2025, Fund for Anne Arundel recipients included Annapolis Immigration Justice Network (legal services and case management for low-income immigrant families and children), Arundel Lodge Inc., and Annapolis Light House ($50,000 grant). These examples reflect the foundation's focus on organizations providing direct services addressing critical community needs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Focus on Anne Arundel County impact: All programs and services must benefit Anne Arundel County residents. Geographic alignment is non-negotiable.

  • Write for a general audience: Review committees include diverse community leaders who may not be familiar with your organization or sector-specific jargon. Make applications accessible and provide context.

  • Demonstrate measurable outcomes: CFAAC prioritizes evidence-based approaches with clear evaluation plans. Include specific metrics and data collection methods.

  • Align with annual focus areas: For the Fund for Anne Arundel, carefully review the annual focus area (e.g., children's health in 2025) and ensure strong alignment before applying.

  • Complete prior obligations: If you've received previous CFAAC funding, ensure all reports are completed on time before applying for new grants. Explain any uncommitted funds from prior grants.

  • Attend training opportunities: Take advantage of the FY27 Grant Application Training Series to strengthen your application and understand what reviewers are looking for.

  • Build relationships: With a staff of nine actively engaged in nearly 400 community meetings and events annually, CFAAC is accessible. Contact grants@cfaac.org or Rosalind Calvin (410-280-1102 x104) with questions early in the process.

  • Note the revenue cap for certain programs: Some programs like AAWGT are limited to organizations with less than $1 million in gross annual revenue (excluding in-kind).

  • Time your application carefully: Most programs have fixed annual application windows. Plan ahead and submit early to avoid technical issues.

  • Assets grew significantly under recent leadership: The foundation has experienced substantial growth (from $14M to $43M in assets), indicating increased capacity and ambition for community impact.

References

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