Advocacy

Survey of Nonprofit Organizations’ COVID Response for County’s After Action Report

2021-07-28T14:07:24-04:00July 28th, 2021|Advocacy, MoCo Government News|

The County’s nonprofits were an essential part of the pandemic response. Please help Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security capture what nonprofits did, and your lessons learned in terms of resources, staffing, communication, etc.

The information will be used by the County to develop an After Action Report that assesses the important role that nonprofit organizations played in the COVID response. Your responses will help inform the County and improve future emergency responses.

The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. Please take the time to document your essential role in the County’s pandemic response. The deadline is Monday, August 16.

FY22 Community Grants-FAQs

2021-04-07T19:16:07-04:00March 27th, 2021|Advocacy, Grants & Funding, MoCo Government News|

So if my program is listed the FY22 Recommended budget we are now guaranteed that we will get funding in FY22?

No, the County Council has the final say on the County budget, including Community Grants. They can make changes to this list and did last year.

Will there be other opportunities to apply for County grants?

For Community Grants in FY22, no.  However, during FY21 the County Executive and County Council launched numerous other grant programs targeting specific sectors and community needs.  Additional County grant programs may be launched in FY22 as well.

On the County Website there are Community Grants and Community Services Grants. What is the difference?

Both grants are exclusively for nonprofits and sit in the Community Grants NDA. Community Services Grants, administered by HHS, are one-time grants for training or infrastructure with a $10,000 limit. Community Grants fund any program or operating cost, have no funding limit, and can be multi-year.

My nonprofit received several County contracts last year but they do not appear on the FY22 list. Why did these get cut?

They probably weren’t cut. If your programs was funded directly by a department last year it would not appear in the list of Community Grants this year. Reach out to your department Contract Monitor to see your funding level in the FY22 Recommended budget since department programs are not detailed.

Do we need to submit paperwork to ensure we receive our FY22 Community Grant if we are on the list?

Not right now.  Once the County Council passes their FY22 Approved budget you will need to work quickly with your department Contract Monitor to submit updated documentation and renew your contract.

What if we applied for a New Program in FY20, can we get funding?

The FY22 Recommended budget did not include funding for any FY20 New Programs.  There may be additional grant programs in the future.

What does it mean to be moved into a department’s base budget?

For this program, you will in the future deal directly with the department for yearly funding and will not have to apply for Community Grants each year.  This allows the department to better align programs that are focused on the same goals and achieve better overall outcomes for the County.

If my program was not moved into a department’s base budget does it mean it is not important?

Your program is absolutely important.  The County relies on the NDA funded programs to meet unique community needs that are not covered by other County programs or efforts.  The Community Grant NDA provides more flexibility that allows your programs to serve these unique needs and achieve important outcomes.

Source: Rafael Murphy, OMB March 24, 2021

Join Nonprofit Montgomery Budget Advocacy

2021-03-25T11:38:06-04:00March 22nd, 2021|Advocacy|

The FY22 County budget process is underway and Nonprofit Montgomery is embarking on a new social media campaign and leading teams of nonprofit leaders in meetings with Councilmembers. The goal of these meetings is to educate Councilmembers about the vital programs offered by nonprofits on behalf of County Government and to advocate for the necessary funding to support the important work of nonprofits.

Our central message this year is that nonprofits are more essential than ever.  The social media campaign will highlight the accomplishments of our members during Covid.  You can join in by: 

  • Complete this form.
  • Engage Communications and Social Media managers in sharing digital content promoting the theme that nonprofits are more essential than ever. Find out more this Friday, March 19 at 9:30am for Social Media training.
  • Learn more about campaign messaging on Tuesday, March 23 at 4pm.
  • Sign up for County Council meetings. See below. Registration opens March 19 and spots will fill quickly. If you can, sign up for a time on April 7. Let’s make it Nonprofit Day!

Members only trainings to support advocacy:  

Social Media Training: Friday, March 19 from 9:30-10:30am: Click here to register.
Message Map Training: Tuesday, March 23 from 4-5pm: Click here to register.

Visit our Advocacy page to see the latest news and find out how to support ALL nonprofits.

Maryland United for Relief Now

2021-01-12T12:49:24-05:00January 12th, 2021|Advocacy|

The covid-19 pandemic and economic crisis have made it clear to everyone just how essential local government is in helping support and uplift families and communities in this difficult time. The latest Covid relief bill did not include Covid relief funds for state and local governments. As noted by Council President Hucker on our last Zoom call, this will make providing local relief for nonprofits and businesses even more difficult.

Please consider signing this petition to ask Governor Hogan to release funds from the extensive reserves set aside in the Maryland Rainy Day Fund to help meet immediate needs through local government. More information and the petition are here.

Please consider signing and share with your networks.

Nonprofit Montgomery Advocacy Update

2020-12-21T14:34:40-05:00December 21st, 2020|Advocacy|

Nonprofit Montgomery Advocacy Update
Community Grants and FY 22 Budget Outlook

According to presentations by Council President Hucker and Rafael Murphy (OMB), projections show that FY22 tax-supported revenues are $163.2 million less than the approved FY21-26 Fiscal Plan. The greatest decline is in income tax revenue.

Programs funded through FY21 Community Grants will not need to reapply for funding in FY22. The County will forgo an FY22 Community Grants application to reduce the administrative burden on nonprofits.

Read more here.

Montgomery County Council News and Updates

2020-03-09T12:59:26-04:00March 11th, 2020|Advocacy|

Represent our sector and learn more at County Council committee sessions. Click here for the current committee schedule.

March 9, 9:30am HHS 

Discussion: County Dental Service
Discussion: Care for Kids Healthcare Program
March 16, 9:30am, PHED 
Discussion: Economic Development Fund
Bill 37-19, Economic Development Fund – Use of Fund and Remedies for Noncompliance

March 30, 2pm E&C  
Capital Improvements Program – Montgomery County Public Schools

Montgomery County Census 2020

2020-03-09T12:33:05-04:00March 6th, 2020|Advocacy, Member News|

Census 2020 is almost here! Invitations to respond to the first ever online Census will arrive in homes starting on March 12. Nonprofits have an important role to play by reaching vulnerable and often-undercounted communities. If your organization needs support in the Census, please reach out to the County Census office for fact sheets, handouts, posters, pencils, social media posts, videos, mapping tools, and more to support nonprofit outreach.  You can also connect with the County’s regional census committees for help.

What our members are doing: 

  • Gaithersburg Help is attaching census flyers in English and Spanish to every bag of food they give away, with a note about why completing the Census is important.
  • MCAEL is encouraging ESOL and English Language Learners nonprofits to build lesson plans around the Census to encourage one-on-one conversations.
  • Community Reach is holding outreach events on April 2 and 3 at three senior apartment buildings. They will serve lunch and bring tablets to help seniors complete the census online.
What is your nonprofit doing to help with the Census? Email your ideas to us and we will feature creative ideas in future enews and on Facebook!

Advocacy Opportunity: Senate Bill 630 – State Grants

2020-02-19T10:58:22-05:00February 19th, 2020|Advocacy|

Has your organization faced unnecessary burdens in applying for, reporting on, or invoicing for grants from state agencies? Have these onerous processes made it impossible for you to receive funding?

Our partner Maryland Nonprofits is working to pass a bill to modernize state grant-making processes. Please help them make the case for reforming the State’s grants process by sharing information regarding your experiences in this confidential survey.

Legislation is being introduced (Senate Bill 630 and championed by Senator Cheryl Kagan) will require standardizing grant applications, budgeting and financial reporting, etc., across all state grant-making entities, using the federal OMB Uniform Guidance procedures as a model. Click here for more information.

local government and community news

2020-02-13T09:49:42-05:00February 13th, 2020|Advocacy, MoCo Government News|

Montgomery County Council News and Updates 

Represent our sector and learn more at County Council committee sessions. Click here for the current committee schedule.

PHED/HHS
February 10, 9:30am

  • Briefing: Interagency Commission on Homelessness Three-Year Strategic Plan
  • Follow-up: OLO Report 2019-4: Inventory of Rent Subsidy Programs in Montgomery County (rescheduled from 1/27/20)
Workforce Development Board Vacancies 
County Executive Elrich is seeking applicants to fill up to seven vacancies on the Workforce Development Board for representatives of community-based/non-profit organizations that have demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing the employment, training, or education needs of eligible youth or individuals with barriers to employment. Organizations include those that serve out-of school youth or veterans, or provide or support competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities. Click here for more information or to apply.

Census 2020 in Montgomery County
Did you know every Marylander not counted costs the state approximately $18,250 over 10 years?

Nonprofits have an important role to play in the 2020 Census. We can reach vulnerable and often-undercounted communities. Montgomery County’s Office of Community Partnerships is coordinating Census 2020 for the County. Visit the County website for information on how to get involved. Nonprofits can register as a Census partner, or can request a presentation for their staff.

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