The Community Foundation of Howard County (CFHoCo) has announced its 2022 community grant awards supporting nonprofits throughout Howard County, Maryland. A total of $200,000 will be distributed across 45 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. We believe that local giving means better living for all of us.”
The 2022 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 grants committee, comprised of CFHoCo board members and community volunteers, painstakingly reviewed every grant request. A total of 69 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. As a grant committee, we really focused on capacity this year. More organizations received awards than in past years, including some smaller organizations. It always feels wonderful to make these grant awards, but unfortunately we can’t fund everything.”
Below is a summary of each of the 45 organizations who will receive community grants from the Community Foundation of Howard County:
Association of Community Services of Howard County, $5,000, to support organizational operations.
Best Buddies, $2,500, 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, $7,500, supporting programs, grants, and scholarships to expand educational resources and opportunities for HCPSS students.
Candlelight Concert Society, $2,500, supporting community outreach services and concert performances.
CASA, $2,500, providing information, outreach, support and assistance to immigrants and Latinos in Howard County.
Columbia Festival of the Arts, $7,500, supporting the world class Howard County celebration of the arts and entertainment in efforts to continue as a diverse and accessible to all community festival.
Community Action Council of Howard County, $7,500, supporting program areas of early child education, energy assistance, homeless prevention, and food assistance.
Community Allies of Rainbow Youth (CARY), $1,000, supporting LGBTQ+ students, staff and families in Howard County Public Schools through community partnerships and allies.
Friends & Foundation of the Howard County Library System, $5,000, supporting Howard County Library youth educational programming.
Get on the Bus, $2,500, supporting access and transportation to after school programming and recreational activities for Title 1 school students in Howard County.
Gilchrist Hospice, $7,500, 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.
HopeWorks of Howard County, $7,500, supporting services for people in Howard County affected by sexual and intimate partner violence
Howard Community College Educational Foundation, $2,000, supporting scholarships, grants and programs that benefit students at Howard Community College.
Howard County Arts Council, $7,500, supporting the advancement of local community arts, the public’s appreciation of the arts, and ensuring that the arts are accessible to all Howard County residents.
Howard County Autism Society, $7,500, supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families, with information, support and advocacy.
Howard County Conservancy, $5,000, supporting the nature and environmental programs and services.
Howard County Dads, $1,000, supporting outreach and educational support to Howard County Dads in the effort to promote fatherhood involvement and engagement to the benefit of all family members.
Howard County Foundation for Black Educational & Cultural Achievement, $1,000, providing post-secondary scholarship support to Howard County African American students.
Howard County Poetry and Literature Society (HoCoPoLitSo), $2,500, 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, $2,500, supporting Howard County workforce development and environmental programs that strengthen the local environment and climate-focused community leadership.
Humanim, Inc., $5,000, supporting the Howard County programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Indian Cultural Association of Howard County, $5,000, strengthening ties between the Howard County Indian-American community and the community-at-large while also addressing food insecurity needs.
Junior Achievement of Central Maryland, $5,000, supporting JA Finance Park Virtual, a 4-6-week economics program for Howard County middle school students.
Leadership Howard County, $5,000, supporting the educational and experiential leadership programs offered to Howard County youth and adults.
Luminus, $5,000, supporting the Luminus Network for New Americans providing resources, information, and direct assistance for immigrants in Howard County.
Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, $5,000, supporting home-delivered meals for home-bound Howard County seniors.
NAMI Howard County, $4,000, providing support, education and advocacy for those living with mental illness and their families in Howard County.
National Family Resiliency Center, $2,500, supporting the counseling, education and support programs provided for Howard County families experiencing crisis.
Neighbor Ride, $7,500, supporting transportation services for Howard County seniors.
Ohana of Howard County, $2,500, supporting Howard County students to overcome barriers and achieve self-defined success through mentorship and building diverse community connections.
Rebuilding Together Howard County, $7,500, supporting the volunteer-based home repair program for Howard County’s vulnerable populations.
Respite Retreats, $2,500, providing retreats of respite to cancer patients, their caregivers, and families in Howard County
S.A.F.E.-Supplying Allergy Friendly and Emergency- Food Pantry, $2,500, providing and enabling gluten-free and allergy-friendly safe food options to the food security network in Howard County.
Sobar, $2,500, Providing a variety of innovative non-alcoholic beverage options to Howard County by hosting alcohol-free bars and events and working to reduce the stigma of choosing not to drink alcohol.
The Arc of Howard County, $2,500, supporting full community life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Howard County
The Community Ecology Institute, $5,000, supporting Freetown Farm and programs focusing on and benefiting the environment, education, equity, and health in Howard County.
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.
This Point Forward, $2,500, supporting efforts to create a network of individuals dedicated to building intentional engagement opportunities for Howard County people 50 and older in the second half of their lives.
Touch Stones Financial Wellness Services Company, $1,000, supporting low to moderate income families and individuals through financial counseling and literacy education programs
Voices for Children, $5,000, supporting volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) services for Howard County youth in foster care.
Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas, $5,000, supporting the Leola Dorsey Community Resource Center, a permanent supportive housing program for individuals who are chronically homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Winter Growth, Inc., $7,500, supporting assisted living, adult daycare and community transportation for seniors and disabled adults in Howard County.