The Community Foundation of Howard County (CFHoCo) has announced its 2021 community grant awards supporting nonprofits throughout Howard County, Maryland. A total of $201,000 will be distributed across 36 nonprofit organizations to improve the lives of residents across the community.
“The Community Foundation of Howard County is pleased to work with so many amazing 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. These grants will help our nonprofit partners continue the great work they do in service to our community.”
The 2021 grants were part of an open grant application process in which any eligible 501(c)3 nonprofit in Howard County could submit a request for funding. The CFHoCo community grants allow for flexible use of the funds for operating or programmatic needs.
A 16-person grants committee, comprised of CFHoCo board members and community volunteers, painstakingly reviewed every grant request. A record total of 87 grant applications were received for consideration.
“We had great energy and leadership from our grants committee,” said Dee Athey, director of Grants and Community Engagement at CFHoCo. “Our objective was to understand the mission and goals of each nonprofit that applied and match that with the best allocation of resources. This is the best and worst part of our job. It always feels great to make these grant awards, but unfortunately we can’t fund everything.”
Below is a summary of each of the 36 organizations who will receive community grants from the Community Foundation of Howard County:
Adaptive Living, $2,500, supporting housing and supportive programs for adults with developmental disabilities
Association of Community Services of Howard County, $5,000, to support organizational operations.
Best Buddies, $7,500, supporting the volunteer programing of One-to-One Friendship, Integrated Employment, and Leadership Development for Howard County individuals with and without disabilities.
Bridges to Housing Stability Inc., $7,500, supporting organization’s housing and homelessness prevention programs.
Bright Minds Foundation, $5,000, supporting programs, grants, and scholarships to expand educational resources and opportunities for HCPSS students.
Building Families for Children, $7,500, providing mental health and support to families and foster families in Howard County.
Camp Attaway, $7,500, supporting one-of a-kind Howard County therapeutic recreation program for children ages 7-13 with complex emotional and behavioral disorders.
Candlelight Concert Society, $5,000, supporting community outreach services and concert performances.
CASA, $5,000, providing information, outreach, support and assistance to immigrants and Latinos in Howard County.
Chase Brexton Health Services, Inc., $5,000, supporting the Federally Qualified Health Center to provide health care access and multidisciplinary treatment to vulnerable, and historically under-served, in Howard County.
Columbia Orchestra, $5,000, supporting community outreach services and concert performances.
Community Action Council of Howard County, $7,500, supporting program areas of early child education, energy assistance, homeless prevention, and food assistance.
Friends of the Howard County Library System, $7,500, supporting Howard County Library youth educational programming.
Gilchrist Hospice, $5,000, supporting comprehensive, compassionate services to Howard County residents in need of acute or respite hospice care.
Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center, $5,000, supporting 24-hour crisis intervention services including shelter, housing and mental health services.
HC DrugFree, $7,500, to provide substance abuse and behavioral health education/prevention services to the Howard County community.
Howard County Autism Society, $7,500, supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families, with information, support and advocacy.
Howard County Conservancy, $7,500, supporting the nature and environmental programs and services.
Howard County Historical Society, $5,000, supporting the historical repository for Howard County, the Museum of Howard County and other history programs and services.
Howard County Poetry and Literature Society (HoCoPoLitSo), $5,000, supporting cultivation and appreciation for contemporary poetry and literature, for culturally diverse literary heritages, and to broaden exposure to the literary arts in Howard County.
Howard EcoWorks, $5,000, supporting Howard County workforce development and environmental programs.
Humanim, Inc., $7,500, supporting the Howard County programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Kinetics Dance Theatre, $5,000, supporting the programming to bring contemporary modern dance to wider audiences in Howard County.
Leadership Howard County, $5,000, supporting the educational and experiential leadership programs offered to Howard County youth and adults.
Little Patuxent Review, $2,500, supporting the promotion and publication of the written and visual arts through showcasing the creativity and diversity of Howard County artists and writers.
Luminus, $5,000, supporting the Luminus Network for New Americans (formerly FIRN) providing resources, information, and direct assistance for immigrants in Howard County.
NAMI Howard County, $6,000, providing support, education and advocacy for those living with mental illness and their families in Howard County.
National Family Resiliency Center, $5,000, supporting the counseling, education and support programs provided for Howard County families experiencing crisis.
Neighbor Ride, $5,000, supporting transportation services for Howard County seniors.
Rebuilding Together Howard County, $5,000, supporting the volunteer-based home repair program for Howard County’s vulnerable populations.
TasteWise Kids, $2,500, supporting programs to promote healthy eating habits and good nutrition by helping Howard County students explore the world of food and its sources.
The Community Ecology Institute, $7,500, supporting Freetown Farm and programs focusing on and benefiting the environment, education, equity, and health in Howard County.
The Linwood Center, $5,000, supporting comprehensive education and residential programs for Howard County children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related developmental disabilities.
The Village in Howard County, $2,500, providing mutual support, services and activities, and coordinating with public and private resources to enable Howard County residents 55 and older to actively age in place.
Voices for Children, $7,500, supporting volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) services for Howard County youth in foster care.
Winter Growth, Inc., $5,000, supporting assisted living, adult daycare and community transportation for seniors and disabled adults in Howard County.