CFAAC: Community Crisis Response Fund

Overview

_NOTE: At this time, we are not accepting applications for funding. However, we remain ready to activate the fund in response to future crises._

Building Strong Children, Families, and Communities through Grantmaking

The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County plays a critical role in our region by inspiring and promoting giving in Anne Arundel County by connecting people who care with causes that matter.

We know that every one of us can make a difference. That is why we have spent every year since 1998 growing philanthropy, one person, one family, one business at a time. The more of us who give, the more good we can do for our community, together.

Through our Discretionary and Field of Interest Funds, donors can pool their contributions with others to support the causes and areas of need they care about most, such as after school programs, empowerment for women and children, crisis response, making the arts accessible, helping the underserved, or protecting the environment. Each Discretionary and Field of Interest Fund is unique, allowing donors to direct their charitable gift to benefit a specific cause, with the knowledge that funding will be distributed effectively and efficiently through CFAAC’s grantmaking process.

The benefits of donating to Discretionary and Field of Interest Funds include:

* Grants are dedicated to meeting the needs of Anne Arundel County residents.
* Donations are focused, yet flexible enough to meet the changing needs in a specific field of interest.
* Donors do not need to be actively involved in the grantmaking yet play a critical role in supporting the community with their donation.
* Every dollar donated directly to a CFAAC Fund is earmarked to fund grants that support the community in that specific field of interest.
* Qualified Charitable Distributions (QDCs) can support Discretionary and Field of Interest Funds held at CFAAC.
* Individuals and families can name a CFAAC Fund in their estate plans to leave a legacy gift supporting areas of interest that they are passionate about.
* Donors can also establish a new Field of Interest Fund that aligns with their passions and invite other donors to join them in supporting it.

Community Crisis Response Fund

The Community Crisis Response Fund was established in 2018 by CFAAC’s Board of Trustees to provide flexible financial assistance to Anne Arundel County nonprofits immediately following a violent incident, natural disaster, or other crisis in our community.

The Community Crisis Response Fund was established in 2018 by CFAAC’s Board of Trustees to provide flexible financial assistance to Anne Arundel County nonprofits immediately following a violent incident, natural disaster, or other crisis in our community.

Since its inception, the fund has been activated twice, most recently in 2020, allowing us to swiftly accept charitable contributions and distribute grants to combat the COVID-19 crisis. In response to the pandemic, CFAAC disbursed nearly 300 rapid-response grants, totaling more than $1.7 million, benefiting 134 unique nonprofits. These grants have supported initiatives addressing food security, basic human needs, and housing insecurity and homelessness.

The inception of this fund can be traced back to the tragic events of June 28, 2018, when the Capital Gazette newsroom in Annapolis was struck by a gunman, resulting in five fatalities and two injuries. In the face of adversity, our community rallied, with overwhelming support pouring in from across the nation and around the globe. Total donations surpassed $1,842,000, enabling CFAAC to administer funds directly to the victims and their families. The fund evolved into the Community Crisis Response Fund that exists today.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* Anne Arundel County nonprofits in need of help  immediately following a violent incident, natural disaster, or other crisis in our community.