This page is an archive of older Covid-19 Virtual Meet-Ups and Webinars.
For recent meet-ups and current resources, visit our Covid-19 Resources page.
Videos from 2020
Dec. 16 Virtual Meet-Up
- Council outlook for 2021 with incoming Council President Tom Hucker
- Community Grants update with Rafael Murphy, Fiscal & Policy Analyst, OMB (presentation) and Budget and Carolyn Chen, Legislative Analyst, Montgomery County Council
- DHHS’s Equity work and the Covid-19 recovery, plus preview of their equity tool: Betty Lam, DHHS
- Equity Scorecard for Nonprofits: Adam Leuking, Clear Impact
- Tips for working with the faith community: Rev. Kaseman (Presentation)
Dec. 2 Virtual Meet-Up
- Dialogue with Procurement Director Ash Shetty
- Updates from Jason Jude of Unite Us.
- Funding updates from Franca Brilliant
- Click here for Franca’s presentation.
Oct. 28 Virtual Meet-Up
Lesley MacDonald, ED, Nonprofit Montgomery
PowerPoint: Pandemic and Racial Equity Survey Results
Amanda Harris, Chief of Services to End & Prevent Homelessness, DHHS
Oct. 14 Virtual Meet-Up
Exposing the Digital Divide
- Adults: Kathy Stevens, Executive Director, MCAEL
- Healthcare Access: Leslie Graham, President & CEO, Primary Care Coalition
- Students: Shannon Babe-Thomas, Executive Director, Community Bridges
- Young Adults: Jacob Newman, Managing Director, Montgomery County, LAYC
- Ruschelle Reuben, Associate Superintendent, Office of Student and Family Support and Engagement
- Council President Sidney Katz
- Jillian Copeland, Founder, Main Street Connect
- Josh Bokee, Director, Government & Regulatory Affairs, Comcast
- Mitsuko R. Herrera, ultraMontgomery Director (sharing data on extent of the problem), Office of Broadband Programs, Montgomery County, MD
- Jillian Copeland, Founder, Main Street Connect
New Funding Opportunities
RFP for Youth-serving organizations
- Kimberly Rusnak, Children’s Opportunity Fund
- JoAnn Barnes, DHHS: EARP and school aged care subsidy
Sept. 30 Virtual Meet-Up
Important Montgomery County Ballot Issues. What nonprofits need to know.
Councilmember Gabe Albornoz, Montgomery County Council
Laura Wallace, Sr. Organizer, Jews United for Justice
Nonprofit advocacy: What’s allowed by law?
Caitlin Donnelly, Program Director, Nonprofit VOTE
Covid-19 Response: Update on the Nonprofit Hub strategy
Mark Hodge, Assistant COO, DHHS
Grace Rivera-Oven, Board Member, BlackRock Center for the Arts
Diana Tato-Niktash, Food Security Plan Program Manager, DHHS
Sept. 16 Virtual Meet-Up
Councilmember Nancy Navarro and Sonia E. Mora, Sr. Manager, Latino Health Initiative
Discussed Latino COVID19 Initiative – Por Nuestra Salud y Bienestar (Health and Wellbeing Initiative)
Clark R. Beil, MHA, FACHE, Sr. Administrator, Licensure and Regulatory Services, Montgomery County Dept. of Health and Human Services
Provided updates on the considerations and guidelines for re-opening offices and services.
Franca Brilliant, Consultant
Reviewed the most current grant and funding opportunities for nonprofits.
August 26 Virtual Meet-Up
Ralph Watkins, League of Women Voters of MD: will focus on how nonprofits can share accurate information and encourage voting.
Lynn Arndt, CEO, BlackRock Center for the Arts: will provide the background and updates on how BlackRock is housing the Upcounty Consolidation Hub, a temporary consolidation center for donated essential goods for communities in Upper Montgomery County.
Michael Rubin, Managing Director, Impact Silver Spring: will go over how Impact Silver Spring has pivoted to meet the needs of their community.
Franca Brilliant, Nonprofit Consultant: County, State Federal and Private relief funds for nonprofits.
Click here for her presentation.
Updates on Mid Atlantic Community Network, a coordinated care referral network launched by Kaiser Permanente
Robyn Russell, East Coast Regional Director, Unite Us.
Brittany Giles-Cantrell, Senior Program Manager, Community Health, Access and Social Health, Kaiser Permanente
Jason Jude, Community Engagement Manager, Kaiser Permanente
August 12 Virtual Meet-Up
Senator Cheryl Kagan
20 Degrees (Nonprofit management consulting): updates on giving trends during this time.
Click here for the presentation.
Franca Brilliant, Nonprofit Consultant
Provided information on new County and State relief funds for nonprofits. Click here to download the presentation.
July 29 Virtual Meet-Up
Congressman Jamie Raskin
Discussed federal relief funding available to nonprofits
Jerome Fletcher, Assistant CAO @Montgomery County Government
Provided updates on the County’s reopening fund and other County news.
Vickie Buckland, COO, DHHS
Gave updates from the Department of Health & Human Services.
Heather Bruskin, Executive Director, Montgomery County Food Council
Jackie DeCarlo, CEO, Manna Food Center
Gave updates on food insecurity in the County.
Franca Brilliant, Nonprofit Consultant
Provided information on new County and State relief funds for nonprofits. Click here to download a PDF of the slide presentation (Relief Opportunities Update as of July 29, 2020).
July 15 Virtual Meet-Up
Franca Brilliant, Nonprofit Consultant
Franca provided information on new County and State relief funds for nonprofits. Click here to download a PDF of the slide presentation (Relief Opportunities Update as of July 14, 2020).
Lesley MacDonald, Executive Director, Nonprofit Montgomery
Lesley provided an update on the FY21 Budget Savings Plan under discussion by the Council this week.
Benton Murphy, AVP, Community Investment, Greater Washington Community Foundation
Grant Buckles, Senior Research Consultant, Gallup
Benton and Grant shared Montgomery County findings of the VoicesDMV Community Insights Survey, including statistically significant data on the attitudes and perceptions of diverse communities in our region on issues including addressing poverty and fostering strong community engagement.
June 17 Virtual Meet-Up
BB Otero, Office of the County Executive
Leonard Howie, CEO, Worksource Montgomery
Cari Cho, CEO, Cornerstone
Mana McNeill, Executive Director, Career Catchers
Kendra Kanty, Sr. Account Manager, Unite Us
Karishma Seth, Chief Program Officer, EveryMind
Franca Brilliant, Nonprofit Consultant
June 10 Virtual Meet-Up
BB Otero, Office of the County Executive
Leonard Howie, CEO, Worksource Montgomery
Cari Cho, CEO, Cornerstone
Mana McNeill, Executive Director, Career Catchers
Kendra Kanty, Sr. Account Manager, Unite Us
Karishma Seth, Chief Program Officer, EveryMind
Franca Brilliant, Nonprofit Consultant
June 3 Virtual Meet-Up
Councilmember Will Jawando
Caroline Sturgis, Office of the County Executive: Recovery Planning
Rafael Murphy, Fiscal and Policy Analyst at the Office of Management and Budget: Update on FY21 Community Grants
View Rafael’s presentation here.
Carolyn Chen, Office of the County Council: Grants – new applications review/funding
Vickie Buckland, DHHS: info/timeline on FY21 contracts for grants
Franca Brilliant, Nonprofit Consultant: Updates on relief opportunities for nonprofits – Click here to download presentation
May 28 Webinar: Pivoting to 90 Day Budgets
Featuring: A. Michael Gellman, CPA, CGMA, an independent Fiscal and Financial Strategist for nonprofits and a founding principal partner for Fiscal Strategies “4” Nonprofits, LLC. Gellman was a former 20-year Shareholder for Rubino & Company, Chartered, CPA’s and Consultants.
In this webinar, Michael Gellman discusses financial management strategies for unpredictable times using a financial bias of protecting the financial position of a nonprofit organization when considering key management decisions that must be made during a period of hyper-change. Learn about assessing your balance sheet with an emphasis on identifying weaknesses and protecting strengths; pivoting to short-term 3-month rolling budgets; and how to assess risks related to vulnerability of your funding and changing demand for services with the goal of protecting your financial position and sustainability.
May 27 Virtual Meet-Up
GOVERNMENT UPDATES:
Councilmember Gabe Albornoz provided updates on the FY21 budget and outlook for nonprofits.
Adriane Clutter, Division Chief – Programs, Montgomery County Recreation, sppoke on how the Recreation Department is planning for programs and services to inform nonprofits on their decision making.
ARTS SECTOR UPDATE:
Suzan Jenkins, CEO, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County
Alice Nappy, Executive Director, VisArts
UPDATE ON RELIEF OPPORTUNITIES FOR NONPROFITS:
Franca Brilliant, Nonprofit Consultant
May 20 Virtual Meet-Up
Government Updates from:
Councilmember Hans Riemer
Dennis Linders, Manager – Planning, Analytics, and Customer Service, DHHS
Shawn Ellis, Montgomery County 2020 Census Manager
Recommendations for reopening for nonprofits from the Governor’s Nonprofit Working Group:
Crystal Townsend, Healthcare Initiative Foundation
Mayur Mody, American Diversity Group
Update on Funding Opportunities:
Franca Brilliant, Nonprofit Consultant
(click here for her presentation)
May 13 Virtual Meet-Up
COUNTY GOVERNMENT:
JoAnn Barnes, DHHS
Caroline Sturgis, Office of the County Executive
GILCHRIST IMMIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER:
Josephine Garnem and Yunie Hong
SECTOR UPDATE – SERVING IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES:
Diego Uriburu, Executive Director, Identity, Inc.
Paula Fitzgerald, Executive Director, Ayuda
Cecilia Rojas, Director, Language Outreach Program, Community Reach of Montgomery County
Franca Brilliant, Nonprofit Consultant
(click here for her presentation)
May 12 Webinar: Budgeting in Uncertain Times by OrgForward
Presentation and Q&A with FIRM facilitator Justin Pollock. This seminar provides approaches and strategies that re-envision, and re-align, the budget process based on the realities (and unknowns) we face today. PowerPoints and Templates to accompany this webinar: www.orgforward.net/files
May 6 Virtual Meet-Up
COUNTY GOVERNMENT UPDATES and Q&A:
Jerome Fletcher, Office of the County Executive – updates on Public Health Emergency Grant (PHEG)
Vickie Buckland, Chief Operating Officer, DHHS
BB Otero, Special Assistant, Office of the County Executive
Caroline Sturgis, Assistant Chief Operating Officer, Office of the County Executive
Franca Brilliant, Nonprofit Consultant – updates on relief opportunities for nonprofits
EMERGENCY FOOD ACCESS GRANT:
Healthcare Initiative Foundation or the MoCo Food Council
SECTOR UPDATE – DISABILITIES:
Chrissy Shawver, CEO, The Arc Montgomery County
Rick Callahan, Executive Director, Compass Maryland
Pat Ritter, Executive Director, The Treatment and Learning Centers
Links and Resources from May 6 meeting:
Montgomery County Food Council
- Montgomery County COVID-19 Food Access Grant Information Sheet
- Culturally appropriate food access report
- FoodStat also has a data layer outlining 123 ethnic grocers and markets in the county
- Info for: business, faith community, neighborhood association, farm or other community stakeholder interested in providing general support to food assistance efforts.
Healthcare Initiative Foundation (HIF)
- Administering the Food Access Grant
- Link for the PowerPoint Presentation overview
- All applications are completed in the HIF online grant portal. If your organization cannot complete this application online or requires the application be provided in a language other than English contact Jess.Fuchs@hifmc.org to coordinate.
Telework Assistance Fund
- Administered by Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC)
- Application link
April 30 Q&A: (un)Employment Law in the COVID Era with Potomac Law Group
Employment lawyers Wendy Fischman and Isaac Mamaysky, partners at Potomac Law Group, answer questions and discuss:
- Furloughs, layoffs, salary cuts, and pay freezes
- Unemployment benefits, including expanded benefits under the CARES Act
April 29 Virtual Meet-Up
Government Updates and Q&A:
US Senator Chris Van Hollen
MD State Senator Cheryl Kagan
Vickie Buckland, Chief Operating Officer, DHHS
BB Otero, Special Assistant, Office of the County Executive
Caroline Sturgis, Assistant Chief Operating Officer, Office of the County Executive
PHEG and Relief Options for Nonprofits:
Franca Brilliant, Nonprofit Consultant
Sector Update – Direct Support, Disabilities:
Chrissy Shawver, CEO, The Arc Montgomery County
Sector Update – Children and Youth:
Jacob Newman, Managing Director, Montgomery County, LAYC
Shané Tate, Program Manager, Out-of-School-Time Programming, Collaboration Council
April 22 Virtual Meet-Up
This meeting featured:
COUNTY GOVERNMENT UPDATES AND Q&A:
Council President Sidney Katz
Councilmember Craig Rice
Vickie Buckland, Chief Operating Officer, DHHS
Caroline Sturgis, Assistant Chief Operating Officer, Office of the County Executive
Franca Brilliant, Nonprofit Consultant
MONTGOMERY COUNTY VOLUNTEER CENTER:
Molly Callaway, Director
SECTOR UPDATE – EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION:
Joanne Hurt, Executive Director, Wonders Early Learning & Extended Day
Tiffany Jones, Head Start Policy Council and Community Action Board
Jennifer Arnaiz, Resource and Referral Center, DHHS
What we heard on the 4/22 call:
PHEG program will close on Saturday.
To help the County understand the need, Councilmembers encouraged all those in need to apply even if they don’t meet the current criteria. There may be a second round of this funding.
Community Grants and Funding
The Council is working towards a same services budget for FY21, if possible, which will maintain services at FY20 funding levels. The Council passed a resolution communicating its commitment to dedicating any additional funds available to COVID-19 relief efforts. They hope to be able to come back early in FY21 with supplemental appropriations for recommended expansions.
The Council anticipates funding FY21 Community Grants, as recommended by the County Executive, which includes moving some services to the base budgets of County departments. We will continue to work through the details and share new information as it becomes available, including any opportunities for new nonprofit organizations and programs.
Nonprofit Montgomery’s Advocacy Agenda
Councilmembers are considering two items from Nonprofit Montgomery’s advocacy agenda: continued payment on nonprofit contracts with flexibility on deliverables, and a one to two month advance on contracted funds in FY21 to address nonprofit cash flow issues.
DHHS is communicating flexibility on contracts (and encouraging all nonprofits to stay in touch with contract monitors.) The decision about advancing funds has been forward to the finance department. See below for news on a third agenda item: making PPE available to nonprofits.
Montgomery County Volunteer Center
Molly Calloway, Director of the Montgomery County Volunteer Center reported that the Volunteer Center is taking requests from nonprofits for volunteers and other things they need (such as masks and supplies). Those interested in helping can go to the website and choose projects or nonprofits to help. There is great interest in volunteering and helping nonprofits, so all are encouraged to post their needs.
On Early Care and Education
Research from NAEYC on Maryland child care providers indicates that up to 50% of providers report that they may be unable to survive a two week closure of their business.
The DHHS Resource and Referral Canter is partnering with the Women’s Business Center to help child care programs address financial issues and apply for funding.
April 16 Webinar: Navigating Relief Opportunities (Part 2)
In this webinar and information session, nonprofit consultant Franca Brilliant reviews the requirements and application process for Montgomery County’s Public Health Emergency Grant (PHEG) program. She also provides updates, as of April 16, 2020, on other funding programs for nonprofit employers at the federal, state, and county levels.
Click here to download a PDF of the slide presentation from this webinar.
April 15 Virtual Meet-Up
Click here to download a PDF of Crystal Townsend’s slide presentation about the philanthropic response to Covid-19 that was shared during this virtual meet-up.
This meeting featured:
MONTGOMERY COUNTY GOVERNMENT:
Councilmember Will Jawando, Montgomery County Council
Vickie Buckland, COO, DHHS
BB Otero, Special Assistant, Office of the County Executive
Caroline Sturgis, Assistant Chief Operating Officer, Office of the County Executive
InfoMontgomery: COVID-19 Response – Connecting people to resources:
Elijah Wheeler, Interim Executive Director/Social Justice Director, Collaboration Council
Susan Augusty, Public Policy Coordinator, Collaboration Council
PHILANTHROPY:
Crystal Townsend, President & CEO, Healthcare Initiative Foundation
Anna Hargrave, Executive Director, Greater Washington Community Foundation-Montgomery County
April 8 Virtual Meet-Up
This meeting featured:
Councilmember Nancy Navarro
Councilmember Evan Glass
Vickie Buckland, COO, DHHS
BB Otero, Special Assistant, Office of the County Executive
Caroline Sturgis, Assistant Chief Operating Officer, Office of the County Executive
Susie Sinclair-Smith, CEO, Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless
Amanda Katz, Executive Director, Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse (JCADA)
Franca Brilliant, Nonprofit Consultant – provided an overview of local and federal funding options for nonprofits.
April 7 Webinar:
Government Relief Opportunities
Click here to download a PDF of the slide presentation featured in this webinar.
This webinar provided an update, as of April 7, 2020, on funding and details nonprofits need to know about the Payroll Protection Program, as well as an overview of emergency funding programs for nonprofit employers at federal, state, and county levels.
Featuring:
- Franca Brilliant, Consultant & Nonprofit Montgomery Partner
- Lesley MacDonald, Executive Director, Nonprofit Montgomery
April 1 Virtual Meet-Up
This meeting featured:
Councilmember Andrew Friedson
Councilmember Gabe Albornoz
Raymond Crowel, Director, DHHS
Vickie Buckland, Chief Operating Officer, DHHS
BB Otero, Special Assistant, Office of the County Executive
Caroline Sturgis, Assistant Chief Operating Officer, Office of the County Executive
With sector updates from:
Leslie Graham, President & CEO, Primary Care Coalition
Barbara Eldridge, VP Quality and Clinical Services, Primary Care Coalition
Susie Sinclair-Smith, CEO, Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless
March 25 @3pm Virtual Meet-Up
This meeting featured:
Gabe Albornoz, Councilmember
Vickie Buckland, Chief Operating Officer, DHHS
Mark Hodge, Special Assistant to the COO, DHHS
BB Otero, Special Assistant, Office of the County Executive
Caroline Sturgis, Assistant Chief Operating Officer, Office of the County Executive
Heather Bruskin, Executive Director, Montgomery County Food Council
Ann Mazur, CEO, EveryMind
Lesley MacDonald, Executive Director, Nonprofit Montgomery
Meredith Bowers, Program & Membership Director, Nonprofit Montgomery
March 25 @11am Virtual Meet-Up
County Executive Marc Elrich spoke about the County’s $20 million Public Health Emergency Grants program for nonprofits and small businesses. Click here to read a recap from Bethesda Magazine. This meeting featured:
Jerome Fletcher, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Office of the County Executive
Caroline Sturgis, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Office of the County Executive
Lesley MacDonald, Executive Director, Nonprofit Montgomery (moderator)
March 18 Virtual Meet-Up
Watch our March 18 Virtual Meeting on COVID-19 Impact on the Nonprofit Sector with the Montgomery County DHHS Administrative Team.
Moderators:
Lesley MacDonald, Executive Director, Nonprofit Montgomery
Meredith Bowers, Program & Membership Director, Nonprofit Montgomery
DHHS Panelists:
Vickie Buckland, Chief Operating Officer
Mark Hodge, Deputy Health Officer
Sue Cymek, Compliance Team Manager
IJ Oji, Contract Management Team Manager
Office of the County Executive:
BB Otero, Special Assistant
Montgomery County Nonprofit Leaders:
Jackie DeCarlo, CEO, Manna Food Center
Shannon Babe-Thomas, Executive Director, Community Bridges
Allison Stearns, Executive Director, CaringMatters
Kathy Stevens, Executive Director, Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy
Key takeaways from the March 18 Virtual Meeting:
The leadership at the Department of Health and Human Services (where 90% of nonprofit contracts are held) recognizes that these are extraordinary times, and that nonprofits need to balance the needs of their clients with the safety of their staff.
Guidance for nonprofits holding contracts with DHHS includes:
- Think about alternative ways to serve vulnerable clients that allows for social distancing. Phone calls, virtual meetings, use of other social media (especially for teens).
- Be in touch with your contract monitor about program adaptations, changes in staffing, and other issues. Contract Monitors will be as flexible as possible as long as nonprofits are making a good faith effort to provide contracted services.
- DHHS will not be doing budget modifications at the present time.
- While many DHHS staff are working virtually, they do not anticipate delays in processing invoices or payments.
- Invoices and documentation will be accepted by email.