A philanthropic nonprofit like the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC) doesn’t learn about its community from behind a desk. Truly understanding local needs begins with showing up, listening closely, attending events, and working alongside nonprofit leaders and partner organizations to learn where challenges and opportunities overlap.
Community foundations like CFAAC stay connected to the nonprofits and donors they serve through various means — first, through their volunteer board. Board members are an integral part of the community foundation’s understanding of the region it serves. They offer invaluable insight shaped by their lived experiences and reflect the community through their varied professions, ethnicities, financial backgrounds, ages and geographic locations within the county. A community foundation board does more than provide essential governance and fiduciary oversight; it is often deeply connected to the heartbeat of local neighborhoods. CFAAC’s board meets regularly on a formal basis, but trustees are also involved by attending nonprofit site visits and local events, taking part in nonprofit grant reviews and engaging with local organizations