Summary
Sylvia Blair features the Community Foundation of Carroll County in this Community Profile piece, originally written for her enewsletter, and reprinted with permission from the author.
Celebrates 30 Years
By Sylvia Blair
The Community Foundation of Carroll County is an oasis of financial and administrative support for over 300 nonprofit organizations. The Foundation has been serving the needs of countless individuals and families throughout Carroll County, Maryland, since 1994. A very special Foundation annual event, the Philanthropists of the Year celebration, will be held in September.
A central message at the event will be that, this year, the Foundation celebrates 30 years of service. They have created a unique and inspiring 30X30 Anniversary Campaign to mark the milestone of 30 years (from 1994 through 2024), and to highlight the ongoing mission of a bright and promising future.
The Foundation maintains and enhances Carroll County’s quality of life through philanthropic means. They receive, invest, and distribute funds for charitable, cultural, and educational purposes for the benefit of local citizens.
The various nonprofits, which meet established criteria, do not have to stand alone in their operations, but instead they benefit from being part of a larger endeavor. Economies of scale and efficiency are achieved through a single administrative office and staff. In addition, the Foundation undergoes a single audit and prepares a single nonprofit tax return.
The 30X30 Anniversary Campaign was designed to recognize the first 30 donors in 2024 who have given at least $1,000 each to commemorate the anniversary. They will be included in the Donor Hall of Fame.
“For 30 years, we have been behind the scenes, supporting, cheering on, celebrating and upholding hundreds of nonprofits and scholarships throughout the community,” said Executive Director Jaclyn Mathias.
“The 30X30 campaign will support our future success,” said Mathias. “Our reputation (for the past 30 years) of helping to connect nonprofits, and helping to navigate the nonprofit world, remains unwavering, thanks to the community’s support.”
“The Foundation helps member nonprofits live out their individual missions, thanks to donations, grants, and public support of their vision and drive,” said Mathias. She added that the first executive director was Audrey Cimino.
There are many examples, to name of few, of successful participating nonprofits. Rita’s Closet was established in memory of the founder’s daughter, who died in a car crash while coming home from shopping for a dress for her high school prom. One of the activities of Rita’s Closet is to provide scholarships to youth. Rising Above Addiction was established in memory of Tammy Lofink’s son, who died of an overdose at the age of eighteen. Funds help people experiencing addiction to access treatment.
Other nonprofits include Find Your Purpose, which organizes activities to energize youth about their future lives through programs and events. Action for Kindness organizes and supports activities that share and promote the message of kindness, through words and art in the community.
Countless other causes and awareness programs are represented through the Foundation. These are just a few of the many nonprofits which make the community a better place to live, learn, and grow.
Major Funds at the Community Foundation of Carroll County
The Foundation has five major categories of nonprofit funds:
1. Scholarship funds, which grant educational scholarships
2. Designated beneficiary funds, which are organized to benefit a specific charity or cause
3. Field of interest funds, which are organized to further a charitable area of interest in the community
4. Donor-advised funds, which are organized to further the charitable interests of donors or groups of donors
5. Program service funds, which are organized to further a specific charitable program activity
The participating nonprofits often have their own identities in the community, operate their own fundraising events, and identify the beneficiaries of their work. All of the funds receive substantial support from contributions and grants provided by individuals, foundations, government agencies, and the local business community.
Celebrating the Philanthropist of the Year Class of 2024
This September, the Foundation will honor the Philanthropists of the Year Class of 2024, supporting the Audrey Cimino Legacy Fund. The award categories and honorees are:
1. The Business, Family, or Friend (BFF) Category: This honoree has gone above and beyond for a Foundation fund or scholarship, and in turn, for the community. The honoree is Rev. Dr. Sue Shorb-Sterling. [Nominated by Westminster Youth Project]
2. The Living Legacy Category: This honoree has shown dedication to a cause, special need, or interest, and has established a fund/scholarship that embodies commitment which continues to make a lasting impact on the community. The honoree is Patricia Mack-Preston. [Founder of Appy Time for Learning]
3. The Rooted in the Community Category: A longstanding fund/scholarship that, for seven or more years, has repeatedly and consistently met and exceeded its defined mission. The honoree is September Song Musical Theater.
4. The Rising Star Category: This fund/scholarship has made significant impact and contributions to the community within the parameters of the intended mission and within the first two years with the Foundation. The honoree is Bee a Rae of Sunshine Foundation.
Executive Director Jaclyn Mathias said, “Our honorees are the unsung heroes of the community. At our Philanthropist of the Year event, we use the opportunity to showcase and highlight all that they have accomplished.”
Learn more about the Community Foundation of Carroll County at wearecarroll.org.
About Community Profiles
The Community Profile about the Community Foundation of Carroll County, is reprinted with permission from Sylvia Blair’s professional newsletter, which offers you great and useful tips, techniques, and up-to-the minute news about how to create the best written pieces for you or your business.
