September 2026
Inspiring Action Through Local Philanthropy
Read the full eNewsletter Here
- 2026 Scholarship Recipients
- Your Community, Your Celebration
- Collective Giving in Action
- Local Giving, Lasting Impact
- Your Partners in Philanthropy
- Community Conversations
Greetings!
There’s something about September that always feels like a fresh start. Students are back in school, families are settling into new routines, and across Howard County, we’re turning our attention to a busy fall ahead.
Back-to-school season is also a reminder of how important it is to invest in young people and their futures. This year, the Community Foundation of Howard County awarded more than $41,500 in scholarships to 22 Howard County students representing 13 area high schools, helping them take the next step in their education.
Scholarships do more than help with the cost of college and continued education. They open doors, recognize hard work and potential, and remind students that their community believes in them. We’re grateful to the donors who make these opportunities possible year after year. Learn more about our 2026 scholarship recipients.
That same spirit of generosity is at the heart of so much happening at CFHC this fall.
We’re preparing for our Annual Dinner & Celebration of Philanthropy on November 17, when we’ll come together to honor this year’s Philanthropists of the Year and celebrate the people and organizations helping to make Howard County stronger. I hope you’ll join us by getting your tickets or becoming a sponsor.
We’re also continuing to grow The Fund for Howard County, welcoming people to Athol Manor for community conversations, and helping individuals and families think about how their giving today can create a lasting legacy. You’ll find all of that and more in this month’s eNewsletter.
What I love about these different opportunities is that they remind us there isn’t just one way to be a philanthropist. You can give, volunteer, sponsor, mentor, learn, connect, or simply show up. Each of us has something to contribute.
Thank you for being part of the generosity that makes Howard County such a special place to call home.
Warmly,
Melissa Curtin
President & CEO