Funds awarded to 50 nonprofit organizations in Howard County
The Community Foundation of Howard County, which raises, manages and distributes funds to support Howard County nonprofits, awarded a total of $185,500 in community grants to 50 nonprofit organizations in Howard County at the end of 2024.
“The Community Foundation of Howard County is pleased to support so many outstanding nonprofits directly benefiting the lives of people in our community,” said Beverly White-Seals, president and CEO of the foundation. “With a mission of inspiring lifelong giving and connecting people, places and organizations to worthy causes across Howard County, our donors trust us to be the hub for philanthropic connections to ensure financial resources get in the hands of the nonprofits that can provide the greatest impact. We believe that local giving means better living for all of us.”
The foundation received 72 grant applications in 2024 as part of an open grant application process for eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Howard County. A grant committee of foundation board members and volunteers selected the grant recipients, which will use the funds for operating and programmatic needs.
“The Community Foundation of Howard County delivered on its tradition of awarding a large number of grants supporting the range of community impact activities,” said Barbara Rishel, chair of the foundation’s board of trustees. “The community model means that the focus is to acknowledge and support the diversity of interests and talents in the community. While the annual community grants program only represents about 10% of all of our annual grant awards, the community grants are one of the many CFHoCo programs focused in building capacity, recognizing impact and highlighting progress.”
Community grant recipients:
- A Home of Our Own Howard received $1,500 to provide furniture and household items to individuals, veterans and families in Howard County who are transitioning from homelessness.
- AOK Mentoring & Tutoring Inc. received $1,500 to provide tutoring and support to Howard County elementary and middle school students to enhance their academic, social and emotional development.
- The Arc of Howard County received $5,000 to support full community life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Howard County.
- Association of Community Services of Howard County received $5,000 to support organizational operations that strengthen the nonprofit community supporting Howard County.
- Autism Society of Maryland received $5,000 to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families with information, support and advocacy.
- Best Buddies received $2,500 to support the one-to-one friendship, integrated employment and leadership development programs for Howard County individuals with and without disabilities.
- Bridges to Housing Stability Inc. received $4,000 to support housing solutions, advocacy services and homelessness prevention programs.
- Building Families for Children received $4,000 to support mental health and support services to families and foster families in Howard County.
- Camp Attaway received $4,000 to support a Howard County therapeutic recreation program for children ages 7 to 13 with complex emotional and behavioral disorders.
- Center for Creative Life and Learning Inc. received $4,000 to support education and leadership programing to develop resiliency skills for youth ages 14 to 17 in Howard County.
- Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts Inc. received $4,000 to support youth education through the arts by creating theatrical experiences for special needs and at-risk youth in Howard County.
- Columbia Festival of the Arts received $5,000 to support the Howard County celebration of the arts and entertainment in efforts to continue as a diverse and accessible community festival.
- Columbia Orchestra received $4,000 to support community outreach services and concert performances.
- Community Action Council of Howard County received $5,000 to support program areas of early childhood education, energy assistance, homeless prevention and food assistance.
- Community Ecology Institute received $5,000 to support Freetown Farm and programs focusing on and benefiting the environment, education, equity and health in Howard County.
- Down Syndrome Association of Maryland received $1,500 to support individuals with Down syndrome and their families with information, support and advocacy.
- Ethiopian Community Empowerment Center received $1,000 to support services strengthening well-being and self-sufficiency for Howard County community members of Ethiopian descent.
- Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park received $4,000 to support accessible, adaptive programming at Patapsco Valley State Park and promote sustainability, preservation and restoration of natural resources.
- Friends & Foundation of Howard County Library System received $5,000 to support Howard County Library youth educational programming.
- Generation Teach Inc. received $5,000 to support summer learning opportunities for Howard County elementary and middle school students.
- Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center received $4,000 to support 24-hour crisis intervention services including shelter, housing and mental health services.
- HC DrugFree received $2,000 to provide substance abuse and behavioral health education and prevention services to the Howard County community.
- HopeWorks Howard County received $4,000 to support services for people in Howard County affected by sexual and intimate partner violence.
- Howard County Conservancy received $5,000 to support nature and environmental programs and services.
- Howard County Historical Society received $5,000 to support facilities, research, collections and presentations of the primary historical repository for Howard County.
- Howard County Poetry and Literature Society received $3,500 to support the cultivation and appreciation of contemporary poetry and literature, including culturally diverse literature, and to broaden exposure to the literary arts in Howard County.
- Howard EcoWorks received $4,000 to support Howard County workforce development and environmental programs that strengthen the local environment and climate-focused community leadership.
- Humanim Inc. received $5,000 to support Howard County programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Iris Music Project received $1,000 to support musicianship in residential and health care communities serving older adults in Howard County.
- Islamic Leadership Institute of America received $4,000 to support educational and leadership programs for Howard County youth ages 14 to 17 with social, economic and educational challenges.
- Junior Achievement of Central Maryland received $5,000 to support experiential learning in financial literacy, workforce development and entrepreneurial skill building for Howard County students.
- Korean American Senior Association of Howard County received $1,000 to support educational, social and cultural programing to enhance the lives of Korean American seniors in Howard County.
- Leadership Howard County received $5,000 to support the educational and experiential leadership programs offered to Howard County youth and adults.
- Luminus received $4,000 to support a network that provides resources, information and direct assistance for immigrants in Howard County.
- MakingChange Inc. received $4,000 to support client-focused financial education and financial services for low- to moderate-income Howard County community members.
- Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland received $4,000 to support home-delivered meals for homebound Howard County seniors.
- Mediation and Conflict Resolution Center Inc. received $5,000 to support accessible and affordable conflict resolution services and education for Howard County community members.
- Merriweather Arts and Culture Commission received $4,000 to support enrichment opportunities for students to engage with and learn from professional touring musicians who focus on social justice and support community building.
- Misako Ballet Company received $1,500 to support classical ballet and Japanese-themed cultural performances for the Howard County community.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness Howard County received $4,000 to provide support, education and advocacy for those living with mental illness and their families in Howard County.
- National Family Resiliency Center received $2,000 to support the counseling, education and support programs provided to Howard County families experiencing crisis.
- Neighbor Ride received $5,000 to support transportation and supportive services for Howard County seniors.
- Ohana of Howard County Inc. received $4,000 to support Howard County students to overcome barriers and achieve self-defined success through mentorship and building diverse community connections.
- Rebuilding Together Howard County received $4,000 to support the volunteer-based home repair program for Howard County’s vulnerable populations.
- Respite Retreats received $4,000 to provide retreats of respite to cancer patients and their caregivers and families in Howard County.
- Sobar received $2,500 to provide nonalcoholic beverages to Howard County by hosting alcohol-free bars and events and working to reduce the stigma of choosing not to drink alcohol.
- Special Olympics Maryland received $4,000 to support Olympic-type sports programs with training and athletic competition for Howard County individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- Touch Stones Financial Wellness Services received $1,000 to support low- to moderate-income families and individuals through financial counseling and literacy-education programs.
- Voices for Children received $4,000 to support volunteer court-appointed special advocate services for Howard County youth in foster care.
- Winter Growth Inc. received $5,000 to support assisted living, adult day care and community transportation for seniors and disabled adults in Howard County.
The Community Foundation of Howard County serves as a knowledgeable, trusted partner that forges connections between donors and nonprofit organizations to provide impactful investments in Howard County. In 2023, the foundation awarded more than $1.7 million through 425 grants to organizations delivering human service, arts and cultural, educational and civic programs. Money for the grant programs comes primarily from income generated by the foundation’s endowment supported by more than 400 funds established by Howard County businesses, families and individuals. For more information, visit CFHoCo.org or call 410-730-7840.
