Message from the Executive Director

Happy Valentine’s Day from the Nonprofit Center! This month's newsletter is full of updates and resources we hope you'll love. If you’re looking for a special someone to lend their hands to your mission, check out the four opportunities below. If you want to express passion for your work, then mark May 17th on your calendar right now. If you would have loved to attend the grant writing cohort but didn't apply, tell us why. All joking aside, we know nonprofit work is a labor of love and hope you take just a moment to stop and recognize the positive impact you have on others. We certainly do.

Nonprofit Events Hub: Your Place to Post Events and Activities

Fall in love this February with our new resource - the Nonprofit Events Hub (NEH)! The NEH is a comprehensive, one-stop-shop designed to connect Anne Arundel County residents with local nonprofits. Nonprofits (that’s you!) can submit your free or low cost events to the NEH and make it easy for the public to find ways to get involved. You can even specify if you’re looking for volunteers. Once you submit your event’s details, if it meets the submission guidelines, it will appear on the NEH in as little as three business days and most times much sooner.

The NEH is in a pilot testing phase but with enough users, it will become a permanent resource. Please share with your network (we asked Cupid to share with his) and help us make the NEH the place people check first for nonprofit events and programs in Anne Arundel County.

aacounty.org/nonprofit-events-hub

Have You Heard About the NDC?

We often get asked about resources available to newer nonprofits with small or no training budgets, and we refer them to Maryland Nonprofits' Nonprofit Development Center (NDC). If you haven't heard about it, it's worth a look.

The NDC is a free program, funded by the Maryland Department of Commerce, for nonprofit organizations in Maryland that are less than ten years old with an operating budget of less than $750,000 annually. Members of the NDC are eligible for one-on-one consultations with experts, educational resources, custom templates, workshops and more.

To see the eligibility requirements and apply, please visit the NDC website. 

Save the Date and "Say What Matters" on May 17, 2024

The Anne Arundel County Nonprofit Center is excited to partner with the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County and officially announce our first full-day conference: Say What Matters! Because your work matters, it's important to say what matters to help you bring in the resources needed to support your mission. The conference will cover a variety of nonprofit communication and marketing topics - from artificial intelligence to social media strategy - and so much more. We'll also provide an update on the space at 41 Community Place.

The conference will be open to all 501(c)3 nonprofits in Anne Arundel County, regardless of age, size, or budget. You'll learn from expert facilitators as they lead hands-on workshops and have the opportunity to connect with other nonprofits from across the county. Up to two representatives from each nonprofit may register. 

Session details, the full conference schedule, and a registration link will be available soon.

Mark your calendars today!

Left to Right (Top to Bottom on mobile): The first meeting of the Grant Writing Cohort. The NEH flyer, which will be distributed at facilities and events countywide. The Strategic Planning cohort meets their facilitator and peers.

Poll: What Topic Interests You?

The Nonprofit Center adds new resources to its website each month, and February is for fundraising. Check out new resources on identifying and cultivating prospects, making the ask, and donor relations.

Training Cohorts: If You Didn't Apply, Tell Us Why

Our Spring 2024 cohorts are in full swing! The Strategic Planning cohort held its first meeting January 17th and the Grant Writing cohort kicked off on February 8th. Feedback after the first session as been very positive.

As we begin planning our fall programming, we'd like to know why your organization didn't apply. Were you unaware of it? Was it too much of a time commitment? If you haven't done so already, please tell us why by completing this one-question survey. It will only take 90 seconds.

Cohorts are typically offered with both in-person and virtual sessions.

Looking for that Special Someone to Lend a Hand (and a heart)? Check Out These Four Opportunities

#1

Governor Moore's Maryland Corps / Service Year Option (MC/SYO)

Governor Wes Moore created the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation and the MC/SYO early in his first term. The program is looking for partner sites to provide participants with professional learning experiences from September 2024 to July 2025. Host sites are nonprofits, government agencies and businesses of all sizes. The County Executive's Office is hosting two participants this year, and the Nonprofit Center is applying as a host for the upcoming year. Learn more at at serve.maryland.gov, but don't delay! The priority deadline for partner sites is March 1st. Information sessions will be held via Zoom on the following dates. Click the date to register.

• February 21 from 4-5pm
• February 27 from 12-1pm

#2

Sondheim Nonprofit Leadership Program

The Sondheim Nonprofit Leadership Program (SNLP) at UMBC provides a stipend for rising juniors, seniors, and graduate students to intern with nonprofits in Maryland, so there is no cost to you. The 10-week program runs June 3 - August 9. Review program details and sign up for a mentor information session to learn more. You need to submit a brief form and position description by March 22nd to be considered.

#3

AAWDC Future Success Program

The Anne Arundel County Workforce Development Corporation's (AAWDC) 2024 Future Success program applications are now available. The program provides Anne Arundel County youth and young adults ages 16-24 with career exposure, essential workplace skills training, financial literacy, and a six-week paid work experience within an industry of their choice. If you are interested in hosting an intern this July and August, complete the Summer Intern Host Form and a member of the AAWDC team will reach out to you.

#4

Volunteer Maryland

Each year, Volunteer Maryland partners with nonprofits, schools, and government agencies to recruit, train, and supervise a Volunteer Maryland AmeriCorps Member. If your organization utilize volunteers to address a community need, then you could be eligible. Learn more at volunteer.maryland.gov/servicesites/ and plan to apply by March 8th.

Let's Be Candid: Finding Grants is Hard

But, there is help. Anne Arundel County Public Libraries (AACPL) is offering an Introduction to Finding Grants workshop on Wednesday, February 21, from 2-3:30pm at the Busch Annapolis Library. Other upcoming workshops include:

Grantseeking Resources 

March 20 at 2 pm at Busch Annapolis Library 

Introduction to Proposal Writing 

*April 24 at 2 pm on Zoom 

Introduction to Project Budgets  

*May 15 at 2 pm on Zoom 

* Registration required and opens two weeks before each event. Visit the Grant Research page for more information.

With funding provided by the Nonprofit Center, AACPL now offers access to the Candid suite of products at ALL library branches. No more driving to Annapolis to use this resource. Plus, AACPL has trained staff available at the Brooklyn Park, Busch Annapolis, Crofton, Glen Burnie, Odenton and Severna Park branches to assist you.

Finally, check out Candid's free training programs at https://learning.candid.org. Candid offers a long list of training opportunities in a variety of formats. For instance, Make Your Major Foundation and Corporate Grant Applications Stand Out is a FREE 80-minute video that you can watch on your own time.

“No one has ever become poor by giving.”

– Anne Frank

Other Nonprofit News and Announcements

Nonprofits are eligible to apply for Congressionally Directed Spending for FY25. Senators Cardin and Van Hollen have created a joint application this year to make the process easier. Applications opened February 12th and the deadline to apply is March 8th. Be sure to check out Senator Cardin's website for the Nonprofit Guide To Earmarks and other important information.

The Chesapeake Conservation Partnership is hosting a "Federal Grants 101" webinar on February 27, 2024. If you find applying for federal grants intimidating, then come speak to professionals with decades of experience. You'll learn about registering to apply, required documentation, compliance and reporting. This is a free program. Click to register HERE.

It's an election year. You want to engage with candidates and voters, but are you permitted to? The answer is yes, and it's important to do. Learn how to engage in a nonpartisan way by attending Nonprofits and Elections 2024: Why and How You Should Engage on February 21st. The free program is hosted by the National Council of Nonprofits.

The deadline for United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, a program to spark social innovation to address community challenges, is just a week away. Check out the details and the view the 2021 finalists and winners from Anne Arundel County HERE.

The AARP 2024 Community Challenge quick-action grant program deadline is March 6th.

Does your nonprofit serve the military-connected community? Please complete this quick survey. Your responses will be used by the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs to compile a comprehensive directory of services to the military community.

The Nonprofit Center is a program of Anne Arundel County government. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Each NPC-sponsored event includes information about how to request an ADA Accommodation.

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