About Us

Collective Giving of Anne Arundel County (CGAACo) is a Giving Circle Fund at the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County, created to fill the gaps within the gaps—meeting urgent, unseen needs with compassion, dignity, and respect.

We seek to work with nonprofits to address critical needs by bringing neighbors together in a multicultural, intergenerational circle of givers. We are residents from every corner of the county who believe generosity is not reserved for the wealthy or the well-connected. It belongs to all of us.

Together, we partner with nonprofits that support our most vulnerable neighbors and focus specifically on the everyday needs that fall through the cracks of traditional philanthropy. While larger funding streams support programs, we support people. We focus our funding on addressing the smaller, urgent, and often overlooked barriers that keep someone from moving forward.

We fill the gaps within the gaps.

Whether it’s helping a family pay a utility bill, covering an application fee, or responding to a one-time emergency that larger systems cannot reach in time, we help fund the programs that meet real needs quickly, compassionately, and with dignity.

CGAACo is more than a fund. It is neighbors helping neighbors, philanthropy made accessible, and a community-led movement where every contribution — from $100 to $2,500 and beyond — creates immediate impact.

Our Logo Explained

The outer circle represents the larger systems and structures that support our communities. These systems are essential, but they are not designed to meet every need, especially the small, urgent challenges that arise in everyday life.

The gaps in the outer circle reflect moments when traditional systems cannot respond quickly or flexibly enough to prevent hardship. The larger gaps represent challenges that are too broad or systemic for a giving circle like ours to address alone, such as affordable housing, transportation, healthcare access, and education.

The inner arc represents Collective Giving of Anne Arundel County. It symbolizes neighbors coming together to reinforce these systems by stepping in where targeted support can make a real difference. This includes helping cover a utility bill, funding a car repair so someone can get to work, assisting with emergency childcare, or addressing one-time expenses that could otherwise lead to long-term instability.

Together, the forms create a circle that remains strong and whole. Nothing is broken. Instead, the design reflects our belief that focused, community-led support can strengthen what already exists.

Our logo is a visual expression of our mission: neighbors helping neighbors, filling the gaps within the gaps, and supporting dignity, stability, and opportunity for all.

We worked with Pinch Design Co., recognized by The Baltimore Times as Best Graphic Designer, to create a logo that is clean, simple, and meaningful.

What is a Giving Circle and How Does it Work?

A giving circle is a group of individuals who come together, pool charitable contributions, and make collective decisions about how to distribute those funds within their community. Giving circles have become increasingly common across the United States. Many begin as grassroots efforts led by neighbors who want to make a meaningful difference, often long before they consider themselves philanthropists.

The United Philanthropy Forum notes that giving circles tap into people’s desire to engage, learn, and take action. By pooling resources, members can increase their impact and support the causes and organizations they care most about.

Giving Circles Share Three Core Features

Members pool their resources.
Each member contributes a set amount based on what is meaningful and accessible for them. Many circles also share time, skills, and connections in addition to dollars.
Members make decisions together.
All members have a voice in how the pooled funds are granted. Some giving circles distribute all their funds each year, while others save a portion to build long-term impact.
Members learn and grow together.
Giving circles create opportunities for members to learn about community needs, nonprofit organizations, equity, and their own role in creating change.

How Giving Circles Operate

While many giving circles start informally among friends or neighbors, many eventually partner with established philanthropic institutions for support. This allows members to offer tax-deductible contributions, access administrative services, and operate with transparency and accountability.

This is why CGAACo is hosted by the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County. This partnership provides the structure we need while preserving the heart of our mission: neighbors helping neighbors.