The FMA Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides scholarships, grants, sponsorships and gifts to organizations, service personnel and their families, members and community organizations to address needs across the Fort Meade region.
The FMA Foundation was founded by the Fort Meade Alliance several years ago and has been officially incorporated in 2011. The FMA Foundation is made up of seven Board members that include President Deon Viergutz, Vice President - to be determined, Secretary N. Gordon Knox, Treasurer Jay Baldwin and four at-large members: Penny Cantwell, Elizabeth Rendon-Sherman and two other members to be determined, Immediate Past President Rosemary Budd (ex-officio) and FMA General Manager Tim O'Ferrall (ex-officio).
The FMA Foundation’s mission is to promote, encourage, and meet the charitable giving needs in the region. A key priority of the Foundation’s efforts are targeted at the advancement of science, technology, engineering, math, language and information technology through education-oriented programs, initiatives and scholarships for deserving high school and college students planning to pursue related studies and careers.
The first initiative of the FMA Foundation is to move forward with a scholarship program focused on Meade High Homeland Security program graduates. FMA's Kenneth O. McCreedy Scholarship has been developed to assist Meade High School students go on to higher education in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) or linguistics. The first McCreedy Scholarship was awarded in April to Christopher Walker, who will be attending Capitol College.
In addition to the signature scholarship program, the FMA Foundation accepts, invests, and distributes interests from corporate and personal gifts as well as conducts fundraising efforts. The programs designated for these gifts are treated as separate projects with an objective, criteria, performance standards, and expected outcomes. On an annual basis, the FMA Foundation Board will meet to review ongoing and proposed projects to establish the specific Foundation project list and funding commitments. Examples of such projects include: outfitting the FGGM Soldier and Family Assistance Center; building and outfitting a service personnel Resiliency Center on base; building playgrounds on the Fort Meade Installation; providing tuition assistance for Wounded Warriors to obtain specialized workforce training; and grants to teachers to obtain updated technology training. As the FMA Foundation grows, other scholarships, sponsorships and grants may be incorporated based on the guidance and support of the FMA Foundation Board.
The FMA Foundation's ability to support the needs of the Fort Meade region beneficial to service personnel and their families, students and the community-at-large comes from the significant support of the business community and the values held by its members. The FMA Foundation welcomes generous participation and support in the effort to contribute to the Fort Meade region’s critical needs.
For more information or to donate to the FMA Foundation, please contact the Fort Meade Alliance at 410-850-4940.
