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So far Abby Benson Grofic has created 14 blog entries.

Nonprofit Montgomery SB184 Support

2025-01-15T15:03:43-05:00January 15th, 2025|Advocacy|

Advocacy Statement
Nonprofit Montgomery SB184 Support

Nonprofit Montgomery is an alliance of nonprofits serving residents of Montgomery County, Maryland’s largest county. We work to strengthen the nonprofit sector serving Montgomery County, Maryland, through leadership development, organizational capacity building, and peer-to-peer networking and support; increase the visibility of nonprofits and the work they do; and influence progress through advocacy and strategic partnerships.

We would like to share our support of  Senate Bill 184 authorizing the Secretary of State to issue regulations that allow them to exercise flexibility in enforcement actions for late or missing registrations or payments.

Many Montgomery County nonprofits are led by part-time or volunteer staff, and their governing boards are almost, if not entirely composed of unpaid volunteer directors. We are aware that compliance with state filings is a challenge for many organizations, including those with paid staff. It is almost always the case that these challenges are unintended and based on a failure of awareness or understanding of the myriad requirements.

Often, these are related to issues of succession planning and continuity, where paperwork is handled by a long-time employee or volunteer, and after they depart, responsibility isn’t clearly delegated to another person. In Montgomery County, we hear from many small and emerging organizations, many with leaders who are unpaid, not native English speakers, and perhaps new to the county, state, and country. They often discover their lack of compliance when applying for county grant funding to support their community-based organizations.

The current practice of the Secretary of State’s Office, to prioritize assisting in compliance rather than imposing penalties, is more appropriate in the majority of these situations, than a referral to the Central Collections Unit.

Senate Bill 184 does not preclude the Secretary’s Office from the option of pursuing forced collection or penalties in cases where it is deemed appropriate.

We urge you to give Senate Bill 184 a FAVORABLE report.

January 2025 Advocacy Updates

2025-01-15T14:57:32-05:00January 15th, 2025|Advocacy|

Recap of Council President Kate Stewart’s Q&A with Nonprofit Montgomery

On Monday, January 6, Nonprofit Montgomery kicked off 2025 with a conversation with Council President Kate Stewart. Council President Stewart shared updates on the the county’s plans for protecting residents in the context of the new federal administration, county budget process, the council’s oversight of grants, and her general priorities for 2025.

County Council Budget Advocacy Timeline:

  • County Executive’s Recommended Budget is released in mid-March

  • The County Council begins work sessions in April and May

  • The County Council votes on the budget before Memorial Day.

Nonprofit Montgomery’s County Budget Advocacy:

  • After the County Executive’s budget is released, Nonprofit Montgomery will share our suggested talking points with our members as well as information on how to sign up for testimony. Additionally, we will be arranging appointment with councilmembers to discuss nonprofits’ concerns, and will share signup information to join those appointments.

  • Additionally, our State of Nonprofits in Montgomery County 2025 Report will inform our budget advocacy. Our kickoff event for this report is on March 20. This will be followed by a series of fireside chats to explore the recommendations in the report more fully.

MCPS Budget Advocacy:

Superintendent Thomas Taylor has proposed a $3.61 billion Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2026. The recommendation reflects a “Focus on Fundamentals” approach that targets investments directly to schools, supports student success and addresses structural deficits within the system.

The Board of Education will now hold public hearings and work sessions on the budget. The timeline follows:

  • Public Hearings: Thursday, Jan. 16, and Monday, Jan. 27, 2025.

  • Work Sessions: Tuesday, Jan. 14, Thursday, Jan. 23, and Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025.

  • Board Approval: Tentative adoption of operating budget; Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.

  • Final Adoption: Adjustments based on revenue projections will follow, with final adoption expected Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

More information can be found on the Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget website

 

Grant Opportunities

2024-12-27T15:17:37-05:00December 27th, 2024|Uncategorized|

  • FY25 Food as Medicine Grant Program: Launched on December 13, 2024 with Stage One applications due January 6, 2025 at 11:59 PM.  $750,000 in total grant funding will be available in early 2025 to support innovative programs that increase access to culturally diverse, medically-relevant, nutritious, and locally produced food for Montgomery County children and households with children ages 0-18 who are: 1) currently at high-risk or actively experiencing diet-related disease and 2) at risk of or currently experiencing food insecurity.
  • RRF Foundation for Aging invites applications for projects in aging

Community News & Resources

2024-12-27T14:55:06-05:00December 27th, 2024|Uncategorized|

Montgomery County MLK Day of Service
The Montgomery County Volunteer Center will host an upcoming MLK Day of Service on January 18 – 19, where volunteers across the County will come together to make a difference in our community. Learn more.

Montgomery County is investing $3.5M in 45 food assistance programs to fight hunger and ensure fresh, culturally relevant food reaches every corner of our community. Together, we’re addressing food insecurity and supporting local families. Learn more

Expedited Bill 23-24, cosponsored by Councilmember Andrew Friedson, Council President Kate Stewart, and Councilmembers Marilyn Balcombe, Gabe Albornoz, Natali Fani-González, Kristin Mink, Sidney Katz and Evan Glass was extended on Tuesday, December 10. The bill continues the County’s commitment to supporting minority, female and disabled business owners. This bill extends the sunset date for the County’s minority-owned business purchasing program for five years until Dec. 1, 2029.

MCPS Summer RISE is looking for hosts to mentor rising juniors & seniors. Businesses, nonprofits, and agencies can help students explore careers, build skills & make informed choices for their futures. Flex options available. Apply by March 7! Learn more. 

Grant and Funding Opportunities

2024-10-11T14:07:34-04:00October 11th, 2024|Uncategorized|

City of Rockville New Grant Program Is Open for Applications
Local nonprofit community organizations that provide services to and/or enrichment programs for Rockville residents are encouraged to apply.

The City of Rockville’s Community Services and Enrichment Grant Program Application deadline has been extended to November 1st. Visit www.rockvillemd.gov/370/Grant-Opportunities to access the applications portal.

Learn more

FY25 Nonprofit Security Grant Program: Opened September 23, 2024 and closes October 18, 2024. The Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) is soliciting grant applications from nonprofit or faith-based organizations located in Montgomery County that are at a high risk of experiencing hate crimes. Funding may be awarded to augment costs for security personnel, planning, training, or security cameras. FY25 Nonprofit Security Grant applicants may request funding up to $15,000 per facility.

The Community Foundation now has the following funding opportunities available for organizations in the Greater Washington Region. Applications are now being accepted for the following initiatives:

  • Health Equity Fund (DC) Demonstration Projects seeks to support nonprofits working in innovative, collaborative, and targeted ways to implement economic mobility models that build community wealth for people and communities with the greatest economic and health disparities. Letter of Interest are being accepted on a rolling basis through March 2026 (or until funds have been exhausted) Learn more

Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program
The CFPCGP is intended to bring together stakeholders from distinct parts of the food system and to foster understanding of national food security trends and how they might improve local food systems.
Learn more

Free, Micro Bridge Loan Account (NIMBL) This interest-free, micro bridge loan program and fund supports the operations of nonprofit entities. The program is administered by the Maryland Nonprofit Development Center and the Maryland Department of Commerce. The program provides short-term financing support to qualifying nonprofit entities between the award date of a government contract and the actual receipt date of those awarded funds. Application accepted on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis.

The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County is now accepting applications for the FY25 Wheaton Cultural Project Grants. We encourage you to take this time to review the guidelines and templates available on our website and to register for a FREE application preparation webinar.
Deadline October 11
Learn more

AAPR Foundation: Building Capacity to Increase Older Adult Access to Health Essentials Programs: Organizations looking to implement capacity building projects that increase access and affordability of food, health care and medicine for older adults with low income. Full applications due October 11. Learn more

Ben & Jerry’s Foundation invites applications from grassroots organizations
The foundation invites applications to its National Grassroots Organizing Program (NGO), which offers two-year, unrestricted, general operating support grants of up to $30,000 per year—with an average grant size of $20,000 per year—to small, constituent-led grassroots organizations across the United States and its territories.
Learn more

Environmental Justice Data Fund invites applications for second round of grantmaking
The Environmental Justice Data Fund (EJDF) is open for a second round of grantmaking. Created and seeded by Google.org and supported by a $4 million fund, EJDF aims to help historically underserved frontline communities that are disproportionately impacted by climate change and environmental injustice in the United States use data to address environmental hazards.
Learn more

Greater Washington Community Foundation Health Equity Fund: The Health Equity Fund is offering grant opportunities for demonstration projects that provide proof of concept and determine the potential for scalability. The projects must consist of two or more partner organizations working collaboratively in a new and targeted way to implement economic mobility models that increase strategic economic participation and build community wealth for people and communities with the greatest economic and health disparities. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis through March 2026 (or until funds have been exhausted). Learn more

The W. K. Kellogg Foundation — Accepts healthy kids and community/civic engagement grant applications throughout the year with no submission deadline.

FY25 Low and Middle Income (LMI) Electrification Grant Program: Estimated launch in early October 2024. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is soliciting grant applications from nonprofits for one competitively selected federally funded subgrantee to upgrade one or more low-income communities with energy-efficient electric appliances, heating, and hot water systems. The goal of the grant project is to complete fuel-switching activities in at least 30 single-family units or at least 1 multifamily building serving 15 units. The single award will total roughly $1.8 million.

Government & Community News

2024-09-11T15:16:20-04:00September 11th, 2024|Uncategorized|

Fiscal Year 2024 Resident and Community Food Gardening Grant Program recently awarded $200,000 to seven community-based organizations.

To learn more about this grant program and other opportunities for engagement in local food gardening efforts, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/OFSR.

Applications accepted for new Council and Board of Director Members with The Montgomery County Food Council

The Montgomery County Food Council is now accepting applications for new Council and Board of Directors Members. The Food Council annually selects candidates to serve two-year terms on the 25-Member Montgomery County Food Council and/or its 9-Member Board of Directors. Food Council Members serve in a volunteer capacity to guide the work of our Working Groups and Policy Committee, serving as subject matter experts and representatives of the Food Council’s work in the community. The Board of Directors governs the overall affairs of the Council as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, with a focus on the mission, values, objectives, achievement of goals, and efficient use of resources.

HIF Board of Trustees Announces New President and CEO

Healthcare Initiative Foundation (HIF), based in Germantown, MD, announces the appointment of Kathryn Stevens, an accomplished and trusted nonprofit leader in Montgomery County, will join HIF in mid-October as President and CEO.

Love One Another Service Challenge

Manna, So What Else, Farm Link, Mentoring Through Athletics, and the Food Project bring you the Love One Another Service Challenge. We want to challenge you to go out and do something good for your community, whether it’s putting on a food drive, sharing some extra food with your neighbors, or even putting out water for local wildlife in this heat! Take a photo of your service, share on social media with the hashtag #loveoneanotherchallenge and tag two other people to step up to the challenge next! Learn more.

Getting Real and Getting Ready for a Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program Application

Co-hosted by ISED and Food Systems Leadership Network, this two-part online series will help potential applicants to the Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program (CFPCGP). Learn more. 

Walk With Me

Join Easterseals at the National Harbor Waterfront Plaza on Saturday, September 21

Walk With Me welcomes walkers, riders, dogs (leashed), and anyone who believes in inclusion, access, and high-quality care for children and adults, people with disabilities, and military families. This year, we’re paying special tribute to our military veterans and their families.

Sign up and learn more!

If you are a Nonprofit Montgomery member and have news or events to share with our subscribers, please send it to connect@nonprofitmoco.org.

September Advocacy Updates

2025-01-15T14:51:06-05:00September 11th, 2024|Advocacy|

Now that summer is over, it’s time to start thinking about the County’s budget process and Nonprofit Montgomery’s FY25 advocacy. The County Council returns from recess this week and all local agencies are moving into active mode!

County Executive Community Conversations

The County Executive’s Community Conversations are a great way to draw attention to your organization’s or clients’ concerns. What the County Executive hears in these conversations will help him prioritize issues for the FY25 County Operating Budget, which will be released in March 2025.
Learn more.

County Council Community Events

Councilmember Natali Fani-Gonzalez is hosting a Public Safety Town Hall with D-18 and D-19 state legislators.

Wednesday, September 25, 6 pm-8 pm, Wheaton Library/Recreation Center
bit.ly/4cF6Cwn

County Council

Tuesday, September 10, 9 am
Growth Infrastructure Policy Public Hearing, 1:30 PM.
Sign up for testimony.

Full Council Session

Tuesday, September 17, 9 am
Full Council Session
Vehicle Noise Abatement Public Hearing,
1:30 PM. Sign up for testimony.

MCPS Board of Education Meeting:

Thursday, September 12, 2024,
15 W. Gude Dr., Rockville, MD
Sign-ups for testimony open one week before at 6 pm

Montgomery County Public Schools Listening Sessions with Dr. Thomas Taylor

(stay tuned for a date for a Nonprofit Montgomery session!)

  • Monday, Sept. 16, 7–8 p.m. Poolesville High School,
  • Wednesday, Sept. 18, 7–8 p.m., Rockville High School
  • Monday, Sept. 23, 7–8 p.m., Montgomery Blair High School

County Council with Planning Board – Attainable Housing

The Montgomery County Council, in collaboration with the Planning Department, will be hosting five in-person listening sessions about these recommendations. Sign up to attend.

  • Wednesday, September 11, 7-9 PM: Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center( 1315 Apple Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910)
  • Thursday, September 12, 7-9 PM: Wheaton Community Recreation Center( 11701 Georgia Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902)
  • Tuesday, September 17, 7-9 PM: White Oak Community Recreation Center (1700 April Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20904)
  • Monday, September 23, 7-9 PM: Germantown Community Recreation Center (18905 Kingsview Road, Germantown, MD 20874)
  • Wednesday, September 25, 7-9PM: Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center (4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814)
  • Wednesday, October 2, 12 noon – 1:30 pm: Zoom

Montgomery County Planning Board:

Planning Board Speaker Series, “Housing Conversation: From Research to Reality”

Thursday, September 19,
5:30 – 7:30 pm,
M-NCPPC Headquarters, Wheaton, MD

Job Opportunities

2024-10-08T14:37:39-04:00September 11th, 2024|Uncategorized|

Community Opportunities:

A Wider Circle: Corporate Partnerships Manager, Grant Writer, Driver, Loader-In-Kind-Donations Inventory
Carpe Diem Arts: Executive Director 

Chevy Chase At Home: Member and Volunteer Programs Manager

DC Volunteer Lawyers Project: Roxana Cannon Arsht Law Fellowship

Girls on the Run Montgomery County: Program Coordinator

Manna Food Center: Chief Executive Officer, Operations Director, Food Resources Coordinator

MCAEL Coalition for Connected Community: Grant Writer

Primary Care Coalition: List of current job openings

Rebuilding Together: AmeriCorps Client Outreach Coordinator,
AmeriCorps Project Coordinator

Sandy Spring Museum: Museum Facilitator

Strathmore: Director of Individual Giving, Director of Human Resources

VisArts: Individual Giving Manager (Part Time with Benefits)

Government and Community News

2024-07-19T12:51:21-04:00July 19th, 2024|MoCo, Uncategorized|

Interfaith Works Women’s Shelter fire

On July 4, Interfaith Works women’s shelter experienced a fire that caused extensive damage. Residents and staff will be displaced for potentially two months to a location that lacks kitchen facilities This MoCo360 article describes the needs. County residents looking to help out can prepare a home-cooked meal or order food from a restaurant to be delivered, Hall said. Those interested can contact Roslyn Roberts, Interfaith Works’ director of faith and community partnerships, at 240-468-6386.

Montgomery County food pantries struggle to meet need in face of limited county funding

Area food hubs are trying to figure out ways to continue to meet the needs of a growing population of food-insecure residents while dealing with less funding than they had hoped for coming from the county this fiscal year–as well as the end of pandemic-era federal funding. Read more.

400 new laws are now in effect, among over 1,000 signed into law this year. Measures affect everything from housing and health care to taxes and psychedelics

While many of the laws set up task forces to study an issue or start the clock on a change in the law that will take effect months in the future, some will be felt immediately. Those include a raft of tax and fee increases, and at least one decrease. Learn more.

School board’s new student member to focus on mental health, opioid awareness and school safety

Praneel Suvarna, a rising Clarksburg High School senior and newly sworn in student member of the county school board, plans to prioritize school safety and student mental health and take steps to help address the opioid crisis impacting students during his year-long term. Learn more.

Child care is scarce in MoCo and Maryland — and the pandemic made matters worse

Maryland has lost 15% of its childcare providers and 7% of its childcare slots in the last five years. The number of child care providers in Montgomery County fell 9.21% between Jan. 1, 2020, and Jan. 1, 2024. That’s the second smallest decrease in the state. Read more.

Compass Pro Bono Nonprofit Information Session

Compass Pro Bono provides free strategic consulting and board matching services to nonprofits across the Greater Washington region. Learn more on their website and register for an upcoming information session to find out how Compass Pro Bono can support your organization.
Register here

Fiscal Year 2024 Resident and Community Food Gardening Grant Program recently awarded $200,000 to seven community-based organizations.

To learn more about this grant program and other opportunities for engagement in local food gardening efforts, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/OFSR.

25,000 Free Computers Will Be Provided 

Montgomery County’s digital equity and inclusion program, “Montgomery Connects,” which is operated by the County’s Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS), will be distributing approximately 25,000 computers at no charge to eligible residents. Nonprofits who want to assist residents they serve in making arrangements to get computers can reach out to Montgomery Connects at montgomeryconnects@montgomerycountymd.gov to reserve blocks of appointments on specific dates for large enrollment events.

2024 Takoma Park Folk Festival (Sunday, September 8): Applications Open for Food Vendors & Community Tables

Takoma Park Folk Festival (TPFF) is getting ready for this year’s festival on September 8 and is ready to receive applications. For more information visit the City of Takoma Park blog.

If you are a Nonprofit Montgomery member and have news to share with our subscribers, please send it to connect@nonprofitmoco.org.

Advocacy Updates July 2024

2024-07-19T11:15:27-04:00July 19th, 2024|Advocacy|

Make your voice heard!
Upcoming Council Committee Worksessions – full schedule here

NOTE: Residents can upload written or prerecorded video or audio testimony online

All Council and committee meetings are broadcast live on County Cable Montgomery (Comcast channel 996 HD, 6 SD; RCN channel 1056 HD, 6 SD; & Verizon channel 30) and are streamed on the Council’s YouTube and Facebook pages. Archived materials and videos can be found here.

Planning, Housing and Parks Committee – July 18 – 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

  • Executive Regulation 2-24, Rent Stabilization
  • Executive Regulation 16-23 Tenant Displacement – Right of First Refusal (ROFR)

ECON/TE  July 22 –  9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

  • Executive Regulation #8-21, Transportation Demand Management
  • Parking Lot District Funding
  • Urban Districts

PHP July 22 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

  • Worksession – Growth Tiers Map
  • Worksession – Attainable Housing
  • ZTA 24-02, Agricultural and Rural Zones – Campground

PHP July 25 – 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

  • Executive Regulation 2-24, Rent Stabilization

Three upcoming community conversations with Councilmember Sayles.
July 17, 6pm – Mid County
July 24, 6pm – Silver Spring
July 25, 6pm – Bethesda – Chevy Chase
Register here 

Board of Education Meetings

Upcoming Business Meeting – July 18

Montgomery County Residents Encouraged to Join State, Local Health Officials for Listening Session on Public Health Priorities on Tuesday, July 30

Residents wishing to speak should sign up here.

Opportunity to Provide Comments on Draft Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Regulations.

Stakeholders (maryland.gov)
Employers (maryland.gov)

For more information, watch the zoom recording

Governor Moore is bringing a list of proposed state budget cuts to the Board of Public Works on Wednesday, July 17.

Learn more

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