About
Who We Are
The Charles County Charitable Trust manages the grant application and award process for nonprofits located in Charles County, Maryland. Funding for grants is provided to the Trust by the Charles County Board of Commissioners. The Trust monitors the grants awarded, performing site visits to grantees, and tracking the impact of grant dollars on the community. The organization provides opportunities for representatives of nonprofit organizations to participate in comprehensive learning experiences, including fundraising plans, nonprofit networking and collaboration, and marketing and communications to increase overall support and assure sustainability.
“Thank you for giving us the opportunity to provide these services to residents of Charles County.” – Charles Regional Medical Center, Transportation to Wellness Program
“We appreciate receiving this grant. It is exciting to see the difference made in individual lives and families as a result.” “She has a young child and was helped immensely by having this opportunity.” – The Catherine Foundation
Board of Directors
Nicole Daniels
President
A Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT), Nicole has provided years of service previously working in the non-profit arena as a therapist in Charles County and in other counties in the tristate area supervising and as an employee. She was President but is now a member of the board of the Center for Abused Persons in Charles County. She is now self-employed, in Charles County and knows the importance of the non-profit community’s function in mental health support of the community.
Tina Wilson
Treasurer
Retired Second Lieutenant with the U.S. Army and Veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Current Chair of the Charles County School Board, President of the Port Tobacco River Conservancy and Vice president of the Southern Maryland Alumni Chapter of UMES.
Mark Gaskill
Board Member
Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA). An advocate and volunteer in Charles County including the Safe Nights Program, Fair Housing Task Force and Charles County Service and Advocacy Network.
Russell A. Yates, CPA
Board Member
Yates, has over 30 years proven leadership and management experience in all facets of financial accounting, reporting and internal controls. As a former CFO and Treasurer, he has managed and directed the corporate financial accounting, reporting, tax, treasury, fixed asset, and audit functions. He successfully led, trained and developed staff, chaired liaison groups, and drafted contracts and proposals.
Monise A. Stephenson
Board Member
Monise A. Stephenson was appointed to serve as a Circuit Court judge in Charles County in January 2022. Monise is involved with various community service-based organization boards including the Maryland State Bar Association Foundation, Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc., United Way of Southern Maryland, NAACP, and as a school volunteer and guest speaker. Monise has earned recognition for her dedication the community as a Top 100 Women recipient by the Daily Record and as a Leader in the Law.
Lulu Moeller
Board Member
With over 15 years working with individuals with disabilities in a variety of settings, Lulu currently works as the Director of Melwood Recreation Center and Youth Services. They have worked for or with a variety of non-profits, including those serving people with disabilities, pregnant people and infants, homeless folks, and animals. They are excited to serve nonprofit organizations in this role. Lulu is also new to Charles County and looking forward to learning all about their community and the incredible people and causes within.
Laura Forbes
Secretary
With 18-years in the Real Estate Industry, Laura has been a part of the Southern Maryland business landscape for nearly a generation. Giving back to the community has been a primary goal from the beginning, passionately serving through many charitable activities and supporting women and children in our community.
Darlene Breck
Board Member
President/CEO Southern Maryland Business Center and Chief Judge of the Orphans’ Court. Extensive nonprofit experience including Charles County Chamber of Commerce president and board chairman for the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center. Appointed by the Maryland Senate to the Maryland Commission for Women and active in Zonta International.
Sylvia Royster
Board Member
Sylvia Royster is a 26-year K-12 public school veteran as a classroom teacher, school administrator, former Director of Community Engagement and Equity in Charles County Public Schools, and now currently serves as the Director of the Educational Partnerships at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM). In her current role at CSM she collaborates with the K-12 school districts (Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s) in Southern Maryland to remove barriers that prevent student access to higher education. In addition, she oversees the Dual Enrollment and Early College programs at CSM. Sylvia has served as a public education advocate in North Carolina, Maryland, and Washington DC while collaborating with local, state, and national organizations such as the National Education Association (NEA) committed to improving education for students, staff, families, and communities. She has served in leadership positions with local and state boards and commissions such as The Human Relations Commission, The United Way, The Boys and Girls Club, and The Junior League, all of which focus on supporting an engaged community that thrives.
Virginia McGraw
Board Member
Virginia, a retired educator, has 45 years of experience in the field of education, serving as a Special Education Teacher and Principal. Her leadership skills were evident during her two terms as a School Board member for Charles County Public Schools, where she held the positions of Chair and Vice Chair. She was elected as the State President of the Maryland Association of School Boards for FY 2022-2023. Currently, Virginia continues to be involved in the community, as she serves as Secretary for the Charles County Scholarship Fund and The McConchie One Room Schoolhouse Committee, Treasurer of the Charles County Retired School Personnel Association, and membership in various organizations.
Staff
Christie Burnett
Executive Director
Jessica Minopoli
Director of Development
Brenda Wesley
Administrative Coordinator