January 2026

Message from the Executive Director

New hours, new programs, new positions, and a new resident nonprofit - what a great way to start the new year! We hope to see you at a Community Co-Work Day this spring, at a meeting during extended building hours, or at a future wellness program. If you have ideas for other programming, please let us know.


But, as you'll see below, many nonprofits are unaware of the current services available at the Nonprofit Center. So, this year, you'll see us out and about more often to connect with you and to identify ways we can collaborate and learn together to better serve the county's residents. I hope you are looking forward to 2026 as much as we are!


-- Jennifer

Welcome Charlene's Circle of Support

The Nonprofit Center team is excited to welcome a new resident organization, Charlene's Circle of Support, to 41 Community Place.


Charlene's Circle of Support uplifts kinship caregivers and empowers youth because every child deserves a circle of support. Learn more about the program in a featured NPC Spotlight on our website.

Winter/Spring 2026 Calendar


There are a lot of great things happening at the Nonprofit Center in 2026. Scroll down to learn more about our winter and spring programming.


Looking for Part-Time Work?

The Nonprofit Center is seeking two dynamic and dependable individuals to join our growing team. These are part-time, contracutal positions with afternoon and evening hours. Click each position below for descriptions and application link.

Communications & Outreach Coordinator

Office & Events Assistant


Plus, our summer internship applications are available now. These paid positions have flexible start May/June dates and end in August. **Are you hiring?** Post positions on our job board.

Upcoming Nonprofit Center Programs

If you missed the 30-minute primer on Anne Arundel County's new Community Wellbeing Index (CWI), you can view the recording HERE. Passcode: Ll!36n%6


Then join us on FEBRUARY 5, 2026 from 5:00 - 6:00 PM at the Odenton Library
for in-person training with 1:1 assistance using the CWI in real time. Even overlay your own data. Registration is limited to 19 participants.

This spring's Fundraising & Sustainability Cohort is designed specifically for smaller and newer nonprofits.


Similar to our previous cohort programs, participants will receive three hours of 1:1 consultation with Lili Leonard for only $75. It's an extraordinary value.


Space is limited to 10 Anne Arundel County nonprofits, so apply today.

The conference program is coming together and we'll post details soon.


Morning sessions are grouped by theme:

  • Engaging the Next Generation
  • Leveraging Relationships
  • The Digital Thread


After lunch, we'll work together to discuss solutions to some of the challenges nonprofit organizations are facing now.


We hope you will join us.

Join Us for a Community Co-Working Day

 

Beginning in January 2026, the Nonprofit Center (NPC) will host monthly Community 
Co-Working Days
where we invite the nonprofit community to work alongside the NPC's resident organizations and staff!


But what is coworking? Coworking offers professionals a shared workspace in a communal setting that cultivates creativity, promotes social engagement, and provides opportunities for collaboration and problem-solving. Additional benefits of coworking include increased productivity, improved life-work balance, and an overall sense of community.


No registration required. Bring your laptop, your lunch, your headphones and whatever else is needed to join us for part, or all, of the workday (between 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM).


We even have quiet spaces to take a call.

Strategic Planning Survey Results

The Nonprofit Center began a strategic planning process in October to help guide its work for the next three to five years. One source of input came from 51 nonprofits that completed a recent survey.


Those who have used our resources rated most as "high value" but a large majority (50% to 96%) have not utilized a specific resource. With the exception of space, the primary reason (55% to 87%) was that they were unaware of the resource. Those not using space cited lack of need as the primary reason.


We will do a better job of promoting our programs throughout the nonprofit community, and we appreciate your help spreading the word.

If you have ideas about how we can better market our programs and services, please reach out to us via phone (410-222-6999) or email. We appreciate your input.

 

Around the Building

Community Legal Services 
De-escalation Training

Vision Board Workshop to 
Begin the New Year

Arts Council Advocacy Training - The Legislative Session Begins


"The beginning is always today." - Mary Shelley


 

Congratulations and Well Wishes

Congratulations to Kristen Krall, a founding member of the Nonprofit Center Advisory Committee, on receiving the Community Partnership Award from the County Executive's Office. Kristen recently stepped down from her position on the committee.


We can't thank her enough for her commitment to the Center, the nonprofit sector, and the residents of Anne Arundel County. We will miss you, Kristen!

Evening Hours Begin This February

The Nonprofit Center is expanding its hours for meetings and events from February 17th to August 14th. This is a pilot test that will help us determine if the need for space is great enough to add evening hours on a permanent basis.


Resident organizations (those with offices onsite) have access to these spaces year-round and receive priority when scheduling.


Other nonprofits should review the information on our Meeting & Event Spaces page, then contact NPC staff about availability and a link to the reservation form. 

Wellness in 2026

The topic of wellness has been popular in many nonprofits' newsletters of late, and we all know there's good reason. Just today the National Council of Nonprofits released its Nonprofit Essentials newsletter which included resources to help staff start 2026 off right. Check out

This is Your Brain on Burnout: Why Nonprofit Work Hits So Hard and What Actually Helps and FRIED. The Burnout Podcast.

Like last year, the Nonprofit Center has prepared a monthly observance calendar that includes information on several health and wellness-related topics for nonprofit staff and the communities you serve.


You can view or download the calendar on our website at the top of our Resources for Nonprofits page or click the image to see the flipbook.

 

Check Out This Month's...

☆ Nonprofit Learning Lab - FREE for 18 Nonprofits - Sign Up Today!

  • The Nonprofit Center is offering free membership to the Nonprofit Learning Lab for 18 Anne Arundel County nonprofits through July 15, 2026. This is professional development at your fingertips, and it's valued at over $1000 per organization. All of the details and the link to sign up are in the What's New section of our website.


☆ Power Your Mission Through Advocacy 

  • Sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, this in-person training is for nonprofits that want to engage in Maryland's legislative process. January 30, 2026; 2:30pm - 4:30pm. Register Here. afpmd.memberclicks.net/poweryourmission


☆ Tax Law Will Affect Donors Big and Small


☆ Podcasts for Your Drive

  • If you aren't taking calls on your way home or jamming to your favorite songs (which is a great wellness technique), consider one of the many podcasts created for nonprofit leaders and teams. Nonprofit Lowdown, Nonprofit Pulse, and What the Fundraising are just a few to choose from. More are listed on our Resource page (near the bottom).


☆ Candid Webinar: Advancing Equity Through People-Centered Leadership


Grants, Funding Opportunities, and Other Resources

 

Reminder: Anne Arundel Women Giving Together's grant application is due January 31, 2026. Visit the grants page on the AAWGT website for details.

☆ Demonstration of the Simpler.Grants.Gov website (for federal funds) is scheduled for January 29, 2026 at 11:00am. Register Here.


☆ FY27 Congressionally Directed Spending webinar for nonprofits will be held tomorrow, January 21 from 11am to 12pm. Register Here.

Reminder: The County Executive's Community Support Grant application is due February 18, 2026 at 12pm.



The Community Reinvestment & Repair Commission Grant application deadline is February 25, 2026 at 12pm. A recording of the virtual training is posted on the ACDS website.

Four in-person training sessions are available. Registration is NOT required.

The AARP Community Challenge helps communities pursue tangible improvements that benefit older adults and people of all ages. Local governments and nonprofits are eligible to apply for grants that can range from a few hundred dollars to as much as $25,000. This year, AARP is doubling its annual investment and will be awarding more than $8 million in community-improving grants. Learn more here.

Join CFAAC President and CEO, John Rodenhausen for Coffee & Conversation. It's an opportunity for open dialogue and shared learning on a variety of topics.

Register for one or multiple sessions on the CFAAC website.

 

Follow us on Facebook for new events, grant opportunities, and other resources specifically for local nonprofits.

Does your organization have an upcoming event, activity or volunteer opportunity that you would like to promote? Submit it for posting on the Nonprofit Event Hub.

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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