(Pictured above from left to right – Top Row: Scot Millen, Bruce Harvey, Melissa Curtin, Barbara Lawson. Middle Row: Mary Ann Scully, Bob Sheff. Front Row: Malynda Madzel, Mike Davis, Steve Sass.)
Yesterday, we were honored to welcome some very special guests to our home at Athol Manor — the Community Foundation of Howard County’s Leadership Council, a group made up of past and present executive leaders and former chairs of the Board of Trustees. This annual gathering brings together individuals whose service, wisdom, and vision have shaped CFHC across generations.
Over lunch, we shared reflections, memories, and meaningful conversations about the future of philanthropy in Howard County. As we looked ahead together, we were reminded of the core purpose that guides our work. Our mission at the Community Foundation of Howard County is inspiring lifelong giving and connecting people, places and organizations to worthy causes across Howard County and beyond. The Leadership Council embodies this mission — they are the connectors, the stewards, and the champions who ensure that philanthropy in our community remains strong, vibrant, and responsive.
For more than 55 years, the Community Foundation has partnered with donors to improve lives throughout Howard County. From its beginnings, CFHC has served as a trusted philanthropic partner — a place where generosity meets strategy, and where individuals, families, and organizations build legacies that endure. This long arc of service is reflected in the Leadership Council itself: leaders who built the Foundation, those stewarding it today, and those who continue to champion its future.
CFHC President & CEO Melissa Curtin reflected on the significance of bringing these leaders together:
“There is something incredibly powerful about gathering the women and men who have guided CFHC across the decades,” Curtin said. “Their continued engagement speaks volumes about this organization — it shows a deep sense of responsibility, pride, and commitment to ensuring that philanthropy in Howard County remains strong, connected, and forward-looking.”
Today, CFHC continues to drive meaningful community impact. In 2024 alone:
- 477 grant awards
- $2.2 million in outgoing grants to nonprofits
- $37 million in assets under management
These numbers reflect not only the generosity of our donors, but the strength of the philanthropic ecosystem that so many longtime leaders have helped build.
The gathering at Athol Manor underscored a shared commitment to ensuring that CFHC remains a leader in strengthening philanthropy, fostering connections, and supporting the organizations that make Howard County a strong and caring community.
We are grateful to the CFHC Leadership Council for their wisdom, their continued engagement, and their dedication to building a stronger future — together.