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2026: New name, same heart, bigger impact!

See the whole picture

You walk past our building in Frederick and see a statue of a dog on our front steps but you may not know EVERYTHING that happens behind our doors. The HEART of Charity (formerly The ART of the Dog) at Federated Charities is your opportunity to open the doors and walk through. 

Join us for an intimate evening of wine and spirits, sweet and savory fare, and a powerful story of philanthropic vision. We’ll share how a bold investment made 115 years ago created the foundation for our center—and how a sustained commitment to Frederick, shaped across generations and through local and global events, continues to strengthen our community today. This is a story of stewardship, partnership, and the enduring impact of investing with purpose.

maybe not
that different!

2026 Heart of Charity Event Sponsors

                          

2026 Tickets

115 years is a long time so it makes sense that we've evolved

In 2022, we shifted our event because we realized that our dog statue might be Frederick-famous but our work is the reason we show up every day for our nonprofit partners and they are at the heart of what happens in our nonprofit center…providing food, shelter, medical care, legal services, mental health and substance addiction programs that have an impact on individuals and families. 

Welcome to HEART of Charity (formerly The ART of the Dog) where we celebrate the everyday achievements of our nonprofit sector in Frederick and your generosity supports more than one organization.

Our 2026 evening features local charcuterie and tastings (wine and spirits) while you stroll through our building, steeped in the history of community in the center of Frederick. For those who miss our canine roots, don’t worry—we’ll still take your picture with Charity and have an artist on site to capture your dog’s very best “paw-sonality” moment (don’t forget to bring a photo of your pup) and we’ll be hosting a special animal shelter ambassador looking for their forever home. It’s more than an event, it’s a celebration of the heart.

Our 2026 sponsors

Thank you to our cornerstone and event supporters

We are proud to be a safety net for individuals and families and for the organizations that serve them. Every dollar raised at the Heart of Charity goes directly toward supporting the “helpers” in our community. We provide the stability our partners need so they can focus on what matters most: helping Frederick residents navigate their most difficult days.

The HEART of Charity is where human services, the quirky elements of our historic building and the art we’ve collected all come together to celebrate our dog “Charity” who stands guard over Frederick and has done so for more than 150 years.

When you step through our doors, you aren’t just attending an event; you are ensuring that the lights stay on for the people who keep our community whole.

DONATE NOW

If you’re still on the fence, we think our virtual event from 2020 might convince you…like an easy and familiar sitcom from the 90s. Feel free to watch it by clicking below. 

See the whole picture

click the play button to start

Prefer to join us on YouTube or Vimeo?

Watch on YouTube
watch on Vimeo

Join Us Next Year

see the teaser video