Message from the Executive Director | | |
Welcome to the May issue of Nonprofit News. Can it be mid-May already? Time really does fly when you’re having fun or when you’re juggling a long list of tasks day after day. Although many nonprofit leaders and staff often feel they are in the latter category, at the Nonprofit Center, we want to help find ways to decrease worry, get moving, and find fun in the work. This month, we are highlighting the importance of cyber readiness, offering several training opportunities, uplifting grants like the Impact100 grant, and sharing fun photos from a month in the community with many of you. As always, if you have suggestions for resources and content the Nonprofit Center can provide to help serve you better, don’t hesitate to reach out.
| | Cyber Readiness for Nonprofits Webinar | | |
Join the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management and Cyber Ready Clinic on June 10 at 12pm for an EngageArundel webinar on cyber readiness. Nonprofits often manage sensitive information, serve vulnerable communities, and operate with limited capacity, making cyber readiness an important part of protecting both the organization and the people it serves. This virtual session will help local nonprofits better understand common cybersecurity risks and practical steps they can take to prepare before an incident occurs.
This session is intended for nonprofit leaders, staff, board members, volunteers, and anyone involved in organizational operations, communications, data, technology, or service delivery.
Register today
Anyone needing special accomodations please contact our office at cecs@aacounty.org or 410-222-1785. TTY users, Maryland Relay 7-1-1. All materials available in an alternate format upons request.
| | NPC Out and About in the Community | | |
The past 30 days have been busy for the Nonprofit Center staff as we've connected with partners and neighbors across the county to strengthen our local impact. Our team hit the ground running with LAA’s Neighborhood Leadership Academy and enjoyed meeting residents at the River Days event on May 2. We also joined advocates for Mental Health Matters Day, our furry friend stole the show, and explored the skills needed for effective leadership at the Anna E. Greenberg Board Symposium: Build, Inspire, Sustain—Governance for Nonprofit Success. These events are vital to our mission, allowing us to connect with the needs of our nonprofit partners and strengthen the organizations that support Anne Arundel County. We are grateful for the opportunity to see so many of you in person and look forward to more collaborations throughout the summer.
| | Understanding and Dealing with Trauma and Stress | | |
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the United Way of Central Maryland and the Nonprofit Center are hosting an in-person workshop, “Understanding and Dealing with Trauma and Stress,” on May 28 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Nonprofit Center office in Crownsville. Attendees will learn about the different types of stress, how trauma impacts individuals, and gain practical tools for effective management.
Light refreshments will be provided, but spaces are limited and registration is required. Please scan the QR code or click here to register today to secure your spot.
| | Upcoming Nonprofit Center Programs | | |
Meet the Nonprofit Navigator:
The Nonprofit Center is pleased to once again offer a limited opportunity to meet one-on-one with the MD Nonprofit Navigator, Jessica Doiron, during our next Community Co-Work Day on Tuesday, June 2, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The Nonprofit Navigator is a free State resource designed to help you navigate the granting process successfully. Whether you are seeking your first state grant or managing complex federal awards, Jessica provides the tailored support you need to secure and manage funding. Space is limited for these consulting sessions, so RSVP Today!
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Community Co-Working Days: We invite nonprofit professionals from across the County to join us anytime between 9:00 am - 5:00 pm for our monthly Community Co-Working Days. Simply bring your laptop, your lunch or favorite snacks, and anything else you need to have a productive work day. Please join us on June 2 for our last co-working day of this quarter. We look forward to seeing you there!
A limited number of private working spaces are also available for those who are interested. Please contact 410-222-6999 for more information.
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Fundraising and Sustainability Webinar Series: To make our Fundraising & Sustainability curriculum more accessible to nonprofits, we have pivoted to a virtual model. We understand that nonprofit leaders need flexible options, so we are excited to continue the Fundraising & Sustainability Webinar Series for small, new, and emerging nonprofits.
Scan the QR code in the flyer below, or use this link to register. Please note, you are not required to attend all sessions - you can register for one, a few, or all sessions.
| | Grants, Funding Opportunities, and Other Resources | | |
☆ Impact100 Greater Chesapeake Grant
- Calling all nonprofits! Impact100 Greater Chesapeake has officially announced that the 2026 grant total is $64,000. If your organization is interested in applying for this transformational funding, please join us for the 2026 RFA Workshop on Thursday, June 11, at 9:30 am at the Anne Arundel County Nonprofit Center.
Please note that workshop attendance is a mandatory requirement for any organization planning to submit a grant application this cycle.RSVP today to secure your spot. Visit the Impact100 FAQ page for more information.
☆ Arts Council of Anne Arundel County
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Fall Mini Grant: This Mini Grant program provides project-specific funding for innovative arts initiatives scheduled between July – December 2026. This opportunity is designed for organizations looking to elevate their artistic endeavors or expand their audience reach. The Mini Grant maximum grant award is $2,500. Applications will be accepted May 1 - May 31, 2026.
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Arts Angels Scholarship: The Arts Angels Scholarship opens doors for children, youth, and teens, who have the passion, but not the means, to develop their artistic talent. Students who are eligible for these scholarships will be identified directly through arts organizations, which will apply for scholarships on their behalf. Scholarships will be offered for camps and programs in visual art, drama, music, dance and filmmaking at locations throughout Anne Arundel County. Organizations may apply for a maximum $1,200 in scholarship funding. Applications will be accepted between May 1 - June 15, 2026.
☆ Chesapeake Bay Trust
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Community Tree Planting Mini Grants are available now. These small community-based grants (up to $5,000) help communities and organizations increase the number of trees and tree canopy in neighborhoods, parks, and other spaces throughout Anne Arundel County. Managed by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are expended. Learn more here.
| | Check Out This Month's... | | |
☆ Nonprofit Learning Lab
The following trainings are being offered by the Nonprofit Center in partnership with the Nonprofit Learning Lab. Register in your designated membership portal to attend a session.
The 90-Second Pitch: A Framework to Engage Funders in Crucial Moments - Nonprofit Learning Lab
In this interactive virtual session, nonprofit leaders will develop a clear and compelling 90-second pitch that communicates the essence of their organization's work. Participants will explore what funders need to hear in those first moments, from the problem you're addressing to the impact you're already making, and how this work can give you a foundation for what to talk about in longer funder conversations. Participants will leave with a structured framework for telling their organization's story quickly and powerfully, helping funders immediately understand why the work matters and why their support is essential. Please note this is a two-part series. Click to Register for the Series!
Session 1 (If you missed session 1 please reach out to NLL for those resources)
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Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
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Time: 12:00 - 1:30PM
Session 2
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Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
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Time: 12:00 - 1:30PM
Nonprofit Stability Planning: Finding Firm Ground in a Chaotic Context - Nonprofit Learning Lab
This session offers an alternative to traditional strategic planning that can help drive stability (and optimism!) in your nonprofit even amidst our chaotic context. We’ll look at what stability planning means organizationally, financially, and programmatically, and then walk through how to lead this process in your own organization.
☆ Due East Partners
Beyond Theory: Best Practices for Collective Impact Webinar
Some issues are bigger than one organization. This is why collaboration and partnership are essential. Learn how Collective Impact can assist diverse partners align around a shared vision, common goals, and coordinated action to drive lasting change. It's a framework for addressing complex, intersectional challenges. Join us for a free one-hour webinar where we'll take a deep dive into the framework: what it is, what it isn't, and what it looks like when communities use it to move the needle.
Training Details:
Date: Wednesday, May 27
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Target Audience: Nonprofit leaders, public agency staff, coalition builders, funders, and anyone working on complex community challenges who wants a smarter framework for getting there together. Register today
☆ Charting Careers
- “Strengthen the Way You Engage with Youth: Building Authentic Youth–Adult Partnerships”
This interactive workshop is a great opportunity to deepen your approach to youth engagement, strengthen partnerships, and walk away with practical tools you can use right away in your programs. Register today.
Hosted by: CADCA, Maryland Department of Health, and Charting Careers
Training Details:
Date: Wednesday, May 27
Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Charting Careers' Office at Eastport United Methodist Church
Cost: Free (lunch provided)
If you are an Anne Arundel County nonprofit and have an upcoming event, activity, or volunteer opportunity, submit your information for posting on the Nonprofit Event Hub.
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The Nonprofit Center proudly celebrates two of its Resident Organizations, Charlene's Circle of Support and the Anne Arundel County Chapter of NAMI, for being selected as Anne Arundel Women Giving Together (AAWGT) 2026 grantees!
This year, a 62-member Grants Committee was tasked with considering a record number of proposals from worthy local nonprofits. The organization was able to invest a historic $262,913 back into the community,thanks to the generosity of more than 410 members. This year marks the largest annual award total in its history. Congratulations to all of the incredible grant recipients!
| | The Nonprofit Navigator Jessica Doiron gets ready to meet with sheduled local nonprofits for their one-on-one consulting sessions | | Junior League of Annapolis enjoying fellowship and celebrated the installment of their new chapter president. | | NPC's Executive Director, Jennifer Purcell tends to the beautiful flowers surrounding the building. | | |
"Without community service, we would not have a strong quality of life. It's important to the person who serves as well as the recipient. It's the way in which we ourselves grow and develop."
- Dorothy Height
| | Your Well-Being Matters: Quick Tips for Busy Changemakers | | |
The human body is not meant to sit in the same position for 8+ hours a day, and a lack of movement can cause back pain, muscle tension, stiffness, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Stretching at your desk and moving during the work day can boost your energy, promote blood circulation, improve your posture, reduce back pain, help you feel more focused and productive, and relieve stress.
Here are some strategies to incorporate movement into your workday:
- Go for a walk on your lunch break
- Set reminders to stand up every hour
- Create an ergonomic desk setup
- Incorporate stretching into workday: For some suggested stretches click this link
Sources:
Fox Valley Orthopedics: The Importance of Regular Stretching
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You can support our mission by donating to the Nonprofit Center's fund at the
Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County.
Donate here.
| | | | | | | The Nonprofit Center is a program of Anne Arundel County government. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Contact nonprofitcenter@aacounty.org seven days in advance of any NPC-sponsored event to request an accommodation. | | |
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