As the year comes to a close, many of us are thinking about the causes and organizations that matter most to us and how we can make a meaningful difference through our giving.

At the Community Foundation of Howard County (CFHC), we work with individuals, families, and businesses to turn generosity into local impact. Whether you’re supporting a favorite nonprofit, recommending grants from a donor-advised fund, or planning a gift that will benefit the community for years to come, there are many ways to make your philanthropy count.

One opportunity worth considering this year-end is unrestricted giving, which provides the flexibility to respond to Howard County’s changing needs.

Why Unrestricted Giving Matters

When you give to a specific nonprofit or program, you support work that matters to you. Unrestricted giving offers another important opportunity: helping address community needs as they emerge, including challenges we may not yet anticipate.

At CFHC, our Fund for Howard County brings together gifts of all sizes to support our annual Community Grants Program, providing flexible funding to nonprofits serving Howard County.

In 2025, CFHC awarded $225,000 to 32 local nonprofits through Community Grants. This year, CFHC and the Columbia Association are anchoring the Fund with $227,000 in contributions, and gifts from donors across our community help grow the amount available for grantmaking.

We’re especially excited about the impact of our 2026 Community Grants Program, with grant decisions expected to be announced in late December.

Through a thoughtful review process involving community volunteers, CFHC trustees, and nonprofit professionals, grants will support organizations addressing a wide range of local needs, from housing and food security to education, health, the arts, and more.

Every additional gift to the Fund for Howard County helps strengthen our collective ability to invest in the nonprofits working to make Howard County a better place for everyone.

That’s the power of unrestricted giving. It allows us to respond to today’s needs while building the resources to address tomorrow’s challenges.

How Can You Support the Fund for Howard County?

There are several ways to incorporate local impact into your year-end giving plans:

• Make a year-end gift. A contribution of any size to the Fund for Howard County helps strengthen our ability to support local nonprofits.
• Recommend a grant from your donor-advised fund. If you have a donor-advised fund at CFHC or another sponsoring organization, consider recommending a grant to the Fund for Howard County.
• Consider a gift of appreciated assets. Donating eligible appreciated securities may offer tax advantages compared with selling those assets and donating the proceeds.
• Plan a legacy gift. Including the Fund for Howard County in your estate plans can help support the community for generations to come.

For donors interested in establishing their own unrestricted fund, CFHC can also help explore options that reflect their philanthropic goals and create a lasting source of support for Howard County.

Thinking Beyond December 31

Year-end giving is about more than making a donation before the calendar changes. It’s an opportunity to think about the impact you want to make today and the legacy you want to leave for the future.

Some donors choose to focus their giving on organizations they know and love. Others want to respond to emerging community needs or build a long-term philanthropic plan. Many do a combination of both.

There is no single approach that works for everyone, and CFHC is here to help you explore your options.

If you’re considering a year-end gift, we encourage you to review our recent article, Thinking Ahead About Your Giving, and consult your financial or tax advisor about strategies that may be appropriate for your circumstances.

Local Giving. Lasting Impact.

Howard County is a community with tremendous generosity, but we also know that many of our neighbors face significant challenges. Through the Fund for Howard County, we can connect that generosity with local needs and help ensure that nonprofits have resources to continue their important work.

As we look forward to announcing our 2026 Community Grants in late December, we invite you to be part of the generosity that makes this work possible.

Learn more about the Fund for Howard County and make a gift.

And if you’d like to explore your giving options, please reach out to our team. We’re always happy to help you connect your generosity with the causes and community you care about.