Grants and Resources

New! The Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant Program is open through Nov. 15. Volunteer groups, nonprofit organizations, communities, and land trusts in Maryland may apply for funding to support environmental education projects, community stewardship, and the protection of natural resources in urban and rural areas. Learn more and apply.

New! The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (GOCPP) will host a virtual grant information and listening session on Nov. 18. GOCPP will provide detailed information about grant programs and technical assistance available to agencies and organizations working to advance public safety in Maryland and solicit your input on resource gaps and challenges to inform its multiyear strategic planning. Learn more and sign up.

New! The Truist Foundation Grant funds programs and initiatives that develop local communities in multiple focus areas. Applications are accepted through Nov. 30. Learn more and apply.

New! The Philip L. Graham Fund provides grants for programs in education, health and human services, the arts and humanities, and community endeavors. Applications are accepted through Dec. 2. Learn more and apply. 

The Arts Council of Calvert County’s annual grant season is open; grants are awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. 

Grants.Maryland.gov: A webpage where nonprofits can find and apply for Maryland grants.

Grants.gov: A portal where organizations and individuals can find and apply for grants from the federal government.

Contact us for more information via email: nonprofit@csmd.edu or call: 301-934-7544. 

Empowering Voices: Participate in Maryland's Statewide Community Needs and Engagement Survey

The Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives (GOCI) seeks your participation in a research study that seeks to comprehensively assess the needs, priorities, and engagement preferences of the state's vibrant and diverse communities. Your participation involves completing a voluntary and confidential survey that includes both quantitative and qualitative questions. Input is crucial to shaping future policies and initiatives that reflect the voices and concerns of Maryland's diverse populations. The survey is open through Dec. 31, 2024. Take the survey.

SMECO has incentives to help your nonprofit save on facility costs. From smart thermostats to lighting to HVAC tune-ups, SMECO offers solutions to help nonprofits save on facility costs. Learn more on the SMECO website.

Maryland Economic Dashboard: A quick and easily accessible guide to demographic, economic, and social data for each of Maryland’s regions.

CSM Faculty, Staff, and Students Give Back to Community, Volunteer 450 Hours During Inaugural 'Day of Service'

Nearly 150 faculty, staff, and students volunteered more than 450 hours in Southern Maryland nonprofit agencies and parks as part of its inaugural CSM Day of Service event. Between March 27 and April 6, 2024, CSM volunteer teams went into the community to organize pantries; work on media strategies; sanitize toys; sort artifacts; assist with fundraising; clean a horse barn; tidy up parks and beaches; and pack nearly 8,000 diapers for distribution to parents in need.

The next CSM Day of Service will take place in the spring of 2025 (date TBA) and the Nonprofit Institute will solicit specific volunteer opportunities next winter.

Additionally, your organization can list its generic service opportunities on our Volunteer Opportunities webpage.

Submit your volunteer needs. 

CSM Work-Based Learning (WBL) provides students with real-life work experiences to develop their employability skills. Employers can help shape the future workforce, evaluate potential employees in work settings before hiring, and grow talent with quick and reliable skilled labor. Learn more

Southern Maryland Media Resources: This guide includes contact information and basic instructions for contacting media in Southern Maryland. Updates and new entries may be sent to nonprofit@csmd.edu. 

Maryland Service Year Option and Maryland Corps Host Partnerships

The Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation was established by the Serving Every Region Through Vocational Exploration (SERVE) Act of 2023 with the purpose of promoting service and volunteerism in the state. The SERVE Act also launched two new service pathways for eligible youth and adults: the Service Year Option and the Maryland Corps. Nonprofits can apply to host Service Year Option or Maryland Corps members. As a host partner, you agree to provide high-quality and consistent supervision and skills that can enable the member to successfully transition to employment, an apprenticeship, or college after successful completion of the program. Learn more

St. Mary’s County Department of Health Digital Portal for Community Services

The St. Mary’s County Health Department has launched the St. Mary’s Health & Wellness Portal for community services. Community members can now easily connect to local services supporting their health and overall well-being. Community service providers can enroll in the system and have their eligible services included.

Meeting Room Opportunities - Free for Nonprofits!

The College of Southern Maryland offers meeting room space for use by 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. These Community Rooms are classroom spaces that, when not being used for academic purposes, are available for use by nonprofit organizations free of charge.  Learn more

Did You Know? Nonprofits can post employment, internship, and volunteer opportunities on the College Central Network, the go-to career resource for CSM students, alumni, and community members of the greater tri-county region.

Maryland Secretary of State Charitable Division Town Halls: Occasional town hall meetings from the Maryland Secretary of State Charitable Division offer insight on topics of interest to nonprofits.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program: The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of St. Mary’s County helps to place persons 55 years of age and older in rewarding, challenging, and fulfilling volunteer opportunities with local county agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations. Contact: RSVP Program Manager Monika Williams at 301-475-4200, ext. 1653 or RSVP@stmarysmd.com 

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP): Nonprofit organizations are needed to host the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) in Charles, St. Mary’s, and Calvert counties. Community residents age 55 and older who need training to re-enter the workforce are placed with a nonprofit, receive a state stipend, and help fill an organization’s needs. Call 301-374-1142. 

Free Foundation Directory Essential via Candid: If your nonprofit’s annual revenue or expenses total less than $1M and you earn a Gold Seal of Transparency or higher, Candid’s Go for the Gold program offers a free year of access to Foundation Directory Essential. Learn more

Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Southern Region provides training and counseling services to new and existing businesses. Designed for all stages of business development, themed workshops range from business planning, to how to comply with legal and tax issues. 

Human Resources Association of Southern Maryland (HRASM) is a membership-based organization that provides networking, educational, advisory, and training opportunities to HR professionals in Southern Maryland. Members are offered activities and programs for professional growth and improvement while meeting and networking with other locally based professionals.

Maryland Nonprofits: Maryland Nonprofits is a membership-based organization that offers professional development opportunities and special events. Some resources are free, but most are available to paid members. 

Coaching/Consulting Assistance from the Nonprofit Development Center: Access free technical assistance, consulting, training programs, and more. The NDC is appropriate for those in the early stages of running a nonprofit. The NDC is sponsored by the Maryland Department of Commerce and participants must meet certain eligibility requirements. To find out if your nonprofit qualifies - contact: learning@mdnonprofit.org

Maryland Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism (GOSV): This unit of the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives funds AmeriCorps State programs and recognizes volunteer service. You can also submit nominations for the Governor's Service Awards. The office offers other ways to recognize volunteers.

Business Volunteers Maryland: Brings the talents of local business professionals to nonprofit organizations seeking volunteers and board leadership.

MD Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts: A nonprofit organization offering pro bono legal services for arts organizations and artists.

National Council of Nonprofits: This site contains useful tools and resources. The Council is a central coordinator, identifying emerging trends and sharing proven practices. Free reports are available on the site.  

National Center for Charitable Statistics: Features high-quality data on nonprofits and their relationships to other sectors.  

BoardSource: A go-to resource for funders, partners, and nonprofit leaders who want to magnify their impact within their community through exceptional governance practices. 

Association of Fundraising Professionals: (AFP) is the professional association of individuals and organizations that generate philanthropic support for a wide variety of charitable institutions. 

Starting a nonprofit? We can help. Contact us to begin the conversation. Check out these resources:

Nonprofit Startup Assessment Tool
Assess your readiness with this tool from GrantSpace by Candid. It offers free expert guidance and directs you to resources.

Is Starting a Nonprofit Right for You?
A free, self-paced online course where you will learn the legal and logistical elements necessary to start a successful nonprofit.

Maryland Secretary of State

Charitable Organizations Division

Starting a Nonprofit in Maryland

IRS for Charities and Nonprofits

How to Start a Nonprofit in Maryland

Do-It-Yourself Steps to Start a Nonprofit - Maryland Nonprofits

Legal Resources

Community Law Center