The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc
The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc. is a public charity based in Columbia, Maryland. It works to improve quality of life in Howard County through endowment building and coordinated grantmaking, connecting donors with community needs and supporting nonprofits.
The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc at a glance
In short: The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc gave $1.4M across 65 grants in 2024 (avg $22K), mostly in Maryland. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,399,200
- +25.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 65
- +18.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $21,526
- +6.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $38,619,179
- +9.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (19 of 65, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (82% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc
- How to Apply
-
The foundation directs nonprofits to sign up for email alerts about applications and deadlines and posts current program instructions on its website. Requirements vary by program. Grant recipients are required to submit financial and narrative reporting; the 2024 filing also states that grantees sign terms and conditions agreeing to the intended use of funds and submit evaluation forms and financial statements at the end of the grant cycle.
- Contact
Mailing address: 6680 Martin Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
Phone: (410) 730-7840
Website: https://cfhoco.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
19 open opportunities from The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc
Aaron Worley Scholarship Grant
The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc
Amount
US $1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Bob Kittleman Scholarship Grant
The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc
Amount
Up to US $1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
C. Merritt Pumphrey Scholarship Grant
The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc
Amount
US $1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Community Action Council of Howard County ($204K). Together the top 10 received $775K.
Grant Size Distribution
317 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 285 grants of 317 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s grant programs are focused on nonprofits serving Howard County, Maryland. In 2024, 82% of grant dollars went to recipients in Maryland; the remainder went to recipients in Virginia (7%), California (5%), Massachusetts (3%), and New York (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 65 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 19 of 65 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $16K; repeat grants $24K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2023) to $6.6M (2022). In 2024 it made 65 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Action Council of Howard County Columbia, MD | Human Service | $204,300 |
| Howard Community College Educational Foundation Columbia, MD | Educational | $124,500 |
| Bridges to Housing Stability Columbia, MD | Housing, Shelter | $73,350 |
| Akshaya Patra Foundation USA Fremont, CA | Food, Nutrition | $69,500 |
| Neighbor Ride Inc Columbia, MD | Human Service | $67,000 |
| Wheels Global Foundation McLean, VA | Health, General | $66,000 |
| Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts Columbia, MD | Arts, Culture | $56,000 |
| Ohana of Howard County Inc Columbia, MD | Youth Devel | $46,300 |
| Provincetown Art Association and Museum Provincetown, MA | Arts, Culture | $35,000 |
| Community Ecology Institute (The) Columbia, MD | Environmental | $33,500 |
Ready to take the next step with The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $38,619,179 | $3,964,530 | $2,906,065 | $1,399,200 | 65 | $1,792,007 |
| 2023 | $35,214,773 | $2,755,738 | $2,577,255 | $1,113,830 | 55 | $662,674 |
| 2022 | $31,135,492 | $3,115,031 | $7,988,172 | $6,623,198 | 56 | $-112,946 |
| 2021 | $39,980,859 | $8,920,510 | $3,337,457 | $2,008,691 | 59 | $3,704,805 |
| 2020 | $34,485,746 | $4,711,624 | $5,226,769 | $3,430,172 | 82 | $1,305,265 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission, as stated on its website, is “inspiring life-long giving and connecting people, places and organizations to worthy causes across Howard County and beyond.” Its 2024 filing describes grantmaking to support human services, culture, and civic organizations serving Howard County. The filing also says the endowment is the primary income source for competitive grant programs supporting human services, arts, cultural, educational, civic, and environmental organizations.
The foundation’s website describes Community Grants as supporting a broad range of needs, including arts and culture, housing, food security, health, education, the environment, youth, and families. Its FAQs say Community Grants may support operations or a specific program, while Mini Grants are intended for smaller nonprofits and certain projects, including time-sensitive projects and school enrichment programs not funded through the district budget.
The 2024 grantee descriptions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Community Action Council of Howard County says it works to diminish poverty and enable self-sufficiency through services such as housing, food, and energy assistance. Bridges to Housing Stability says it works to prevent and end homelessness through affordable housing solutions and advocacy in Howard County. Howard Community College Educational Foundation says it funds pathways to student success. Other 2024 grantees described by their missions include Neighbor Ride, which provides transportation for Howard County seniors, and Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts, whose grant was categorized for arts and culture.
Grantmaking
The foundation’s 2024 filing reports 65 grants totaling $1,399,200. Grant amounts ranged from $5,105 to $204,300, with a median of $10,000.
The largest reported 2024 awards included $204,300 to Community Action Council of Howard County for human services; $124,500 to Howard Community College Educational Foundation for education; $73,350 to Bridges to Housing Stability for housing and shelter; $69,500 to Akshaya Patra Foundation USA for food and nutrition; and $67,000 to Neighbor Ride for human services. Other notable awards were $66,000 to Wheels Global Foundation, $56,000 to Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts, and $46,300 to Ohana of Howard County.
The foundation also offers donor-advised grants and Making-Up-The-Difference grants, which the FAQs describe as awarded through or at the discretion of donors. It administers donor-established scholarship funds for Howard County students. The 2026 Community Grants cycle is scheduled to open October 1, 2026, with an application deadline of November 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. The website says applications are reviewed by a committee of community volunteers, including trustees, community members, and nonprofit professionals, using established eligibility requirements and grant criteria. Applicants must submit a grant report with financial and narrative information describing accomplishments and use of funds.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Beverly White-Seals Esq. as president and CEO; Barbara Rishel as chair; Hima Jain as secretary; and Tim Ward CPA as treasurer. It also lists Russell B Berger, Regina Clay, George Chip Doetsch, Lisa Edwards, Lance E Johnson, and Wendy L Krouse as trustees.
The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc is led by Beverly White-Seals Esq., President & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 18 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Beverly White-Seals Esq.
President & CEO
President & CEO → Ex-Officio, 2021
Ex-Officio → President & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$163K (2020) → $180K (2024)
Barbara Rishel
Chair
Trustee → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sang W. Oh Esq.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven D. Sass Esq.
Trustee
Vice Chair & Secretary → Chair, 2022
Chair → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy L. Krouse
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carlos Rodriguez
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Edwards
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Regina Clay
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marcy Leonard
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven A. Singh
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George Chip Doetsch
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher B. Walter
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lance E. Johnson
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Stinson
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Russell B. Berger
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sabrina Taj
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hima Jain
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Ward CPA
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (17)
- Former: James Sanders (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Jason W. Weszka Aif (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Khalid Abedin (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Steven R. Porter (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Chris Walter (2022–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Chip Doetsch (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Helaine Barry (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Jennifer McManus Esq. (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Kimberly Prescott (2020–2021) — Chair
- Former: Marc Levin (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Mireille Grangenois (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Peter Panepento (2020–2021) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Ryan Miller (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Chiimaobi Chijioke (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Daniel Medinger (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Marjorie Valin (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Scot Millen (2020) — Immediate Past Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $180K, to Beverly White-Seals ESQ (President and CEO).
Frequently asked questions about The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc
How much does The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc give each year?
The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc gave $1.4M across 65 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 55 grants.
What is The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc's typical grant size?
The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $21,526, across 65 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc that year got $16K on average.
Where does The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc give grants?
The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc gives mostly in Maryland: 82% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Virginia (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Columbia, MD (29 grants), Ellicott City, MD (10 grants), Baltimore, MD (7 grants) and Rockville, MD (2 grants).
Does The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 3% of The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 65) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Human Service" (25 grants), "Educational" (11 grants) and "Arts, Culture" (6 grants).
Who are The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc's largest grantees?
The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Community Action Council of Howard County ($204,300), Howard Community College Educational Foundation ($124,500) and Bridges to Housing Stability ($73,350), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc?
The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc reported $38.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.0M.
What does The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc fund?
The organization’s mission, as stated on its website, is “inspiring life-long giving and connecting people, places and organizations to worthy causes across Howard County and beyond.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc?
The foundation directs nonprofits to sign up for email alerts about applications and deadlines and posts current program instructions on its website. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc's EIN?
The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-0937644. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 18, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 26, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-community-foundation-of-howard-county-inc-morg_4867cf1f22ef49afad414cd0fafa892c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_520937644_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-community-foundation-of-howard-county-inc-morg_4867cf1f22ef49afad414cd0fafa892c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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