Are you familiar with The Community Foundation of Frederick County? It was established in 1986 by community advocates (Donald C. Linton, CPA, the late W. Jerome Offutt, Esq., and the late Charles V. Main) who wanted to create a place where people could put their charitable dollars to work in ways that were meaningful to them. Nearly 32 years later, the Community Foundation is home to more than 700 charitable funds that have generated $58 million in grants and scholarships.
This column (as well as our website) is named “Frederick County Gives” because the people of Frederick County are generous and caring and they are making a difference by paying it forward. The existence of 700 funds is one example of that generosity, and each fund has its own story and legacy behind it. Some of these stories are simple, and some are complex, but each is inspiring in its own way, and we look forward to sharing them with you.
A little more about the Community Foundation: It is a 501(c)(3) public charity, accredited through National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations. While most nonprofits focus on a single cause, the Community Foundation is unique because each fund established by a donor supports their favorite cause or causes through grants or scholarships. They might be supporting arts programs, historic preservation, animal welfare, or the environment. Their passion might run to health and human services and support programs that help the newly homeless, those that need health care, services for seniors, or children who don’t have enough food to eat on weekends when not in school. Others want to support youth mentoring programs, education, or agriculture. These are just a few examples of the variety of causes and areas of study in which donors want to make a difference.
Donors making a difference and influencing change is happening every day in Frederick County. It’s also important to recognize the staffs of nonprofits, city and county agencies, and the masses of volunteers, of all who are carrying out the programs and services offered by each entity. Throughout the County’s 667 square miles, there are people helping people in countless ways.
We are proud to be a part of the Frederick County community and work with so many benevolent donors. We are also pleased to partner with The Frederick News-Post for this opportunity to share stories of philanthropy and of people and organizations that exemplify “Frederick County Gives.” Thank you, Frederick County citizens, for all you do to ensure Frederick County’s vibrant future.