OVERVIEW: The Community Foundation of Howard County supports education, arts and culture, youth, human services, health, civic engagement and other community needs in Maryland.
IP TAKE: This is a well-established and accessible community funder that has a straightforward grantmaking process for local groups in Maryland.
PROFILE: Established in 1969, Community Foundation of Howard County (CFHoCo) is a community foundation based in Columbia, Maryland. James Rouse and four other people started the Columbia Foundation, which was the first community foundation in the state and later became known as CFHoCo. It is run by a local volunteer board of trustees and a professional staff. The foundation aims to “improve the quality of life in Howard County by connecting donors to the critical needs in our community.” It funds local efforts for education, arts and culture, youth, human services, health, civic engagement and other community needs.
The Community Foundation of Howard County awards community grants once per year for programs and services that improve the lives of county residents. It also awards these funds for operational support. Mini grants are available for amounts up to $5,000 for small nonprofits that have needs that are time-sensitive, new nonprofits, school enrichment programs and first-time applicants. CFHoCo’s donor-advised grants support the interests of individual donors, while Making-Up-The-Difference Grants are at the discretion of donors and supplement what the community foundation provides. In addition to grants, CFHoCo also awards scholarships to local students.
Grants range between about $5,000 and $100,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on the city of Columbia and elsewhere in Howard County, Maryland. Past local grantees include A-OK Mentoring and Tutoring, Chesapeake Shakespeare Company and Bridges to Housing Stability.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. Grantseekers should submit their applications electronically through the CFHoCo online system. Sign up for the funder’s mailing list to learn about upcoming grant deadlines. Direct general questions to the staff at info@cfhoco.org or 410-730-7840.
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