Collective Giving of Anne Arundel County is a community-led giving circle that brings neighbors together to pool donations and support local nonprofits responding to urgent everyday needs. The idea is simple: generosity belongs to everyone, and when people give together, even modest contributions can create meaningful impact.

Collective Giving was created because too many urgent needs fall outside traditional grant cycles, public budgets, and program rules. It was formed to help fill the gaps within the gaps by supporting practical, timely solutions before a small setback becomes a larger crisis.

It means responding to needs that are real and urgent but often too small, too immediate, or too specific for larger systems to address quickly. A common example is a car repair or short-term childcare cost that, if left unresolved, could disrupt work, school, housing stability, or family routines, leading to job or housing loss.

Collective Giving is especially focused on households experiencing financial strain, including ALICE households. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are working individuals and families who earn above the federal poverty level but still do not make enough to cover basic household needs consistently.

No. Collective Giving makes grants to local nonprofit partners, not direct payments to individuals. The goal is to support nonprofits that already serve residents well and can deliver people-first assistance with dignity, speed, and accountability.

The focus is on local nonprofit programs that can respond quickly to urgent needs of Anne Arundel County residents. Examples include emergency assistance, transportation access, housing and utility stability, childcare, and family support. The larger goal is to support programs that help prevent a short-term hardship from becoming a long-term crisis.

Members pool their contributions, learn together, and help shape grantmaking decisions. As funds grow, Collective Giving works with its members to determine which nonprofit programs best align with the mission and should receive support. The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County provides the administrative and financial infrastructure that helps make this possible.

The Community Foundation serves as the host organization. That means it provides the 501(c)(3) structure, receives donations, manages the funds responsibly, and processes grants once selections are made. This allows Collective Giving to remain community-led while operating with transparency, accountability, and tax-deductible giving.

Members of the giving circle help shape grantmaking decisions as the process is finalized and the organization grows. Collective Giving is designed to be community-led, with members playing an active role in helping guide priorities and support nonprofit partners.

The grant process is still being developed. Once it is finalized, application details and updates will be shared through Collective Giving’s website and communications with nonprofits and community members.

The exact grantmaking schedule is still being determined. Collective Giving intends to communicate that cadence publicly as the process is finalized.