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Executive Management: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

At Maryland Nonprofits, we're asked a lot of different questions about a lot of different things. From nonprofit management, to finance, to board governance, to fundraising, we've spent time researching the answers to many of your questions. We are now giving you an opportunity to find the answers to some of our more frequently asked questions on our website.

We have also dedicated a frequently asked questions section for our members, to view click here.

How many nonprofits are there in Maryland?

According to Maryland Nonprofits, there are over 26,000 nonprofit organizations that employ 243,043 workers. This translates to roughly 9.5% of the entire state’s workforce and 8.4% of Maryland’s payroll. 21,811 of these are 501(c)(3) organizations (including Maryland Nonprofits) 1,961 are 501(c)(4) organizations (advocacy organizations i.e. Healthcare For all Coalition) and 1,293 are 501(c)(6) organizations (Trade Associations - organized for the good of their members i.e. Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics). There are about 75 new nonprofits formed each month in Maryland. Nonprofits by the Numbers 2008 provides statewide data and shows the breakdown of nonprofits in Maryland by county.

What does my organization receive as a member of Maryland Nonprofits?

As a member of the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations, your organization will always have somewhere to go save money and time, to get an answer to a question, to learn a new skill and to share ideas and information.

The Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations (Maryland Nonprofits) is a statewide association of over 1700 member organizations, dedicated to strengthening individual nonprofits, as well as the entire nonprofit sector. With offices in Baltimore and suburban D.C., Maryland Nonprofits offers a full range of programs and services designed to help your organization fulfill its mission today and provide the tools you need to flourish in the future.

Get an answer to a Question and Learn a New Skill

• Discounted Training Programs - We offer over 200 educational workshops and training programs a year across the state for nonprofit board members, staff and volunteers, covering a wide range of topics including nonprofit startup, finance, governance, management, fundraising, and other issues. If you have an interest or need related to the nonprofit sector, we have a training program for you. Maryland Nonprofits Members receive 50% off the cost of all training programs and workshops and priority registration for special programs.

• House Call Programs - Many organizations need customized training programs brought to their entire staff or board that address their organization's very specific needs. The House Call program brings the workshops to you, offering you a personalized training experience.
• Board Excellence Training- This training is designed to highlight the most important aspects of board operations.
• Fundraising Readiness Training- This training is designed to introduce your organization to a wide range of essential fundraising issues.
• Fundraising Basics for Boards- This training explores fundraising from a board member's perspective and reviews how the board and staff work together to set and meet fundraising goals.

Specialized Technical Assistance and Consultation

Some organizations need specialized assistance to guide critical decisions and projects. Maryland Nonprofits can provide you with the resources to navigate successfully the course of your organization.

• Consultant Databank- We have developed a collection of information on individuals, small businesses and corporations, including other nonprofit groups, which market and provide services and products of use to nonprofit organizations.

Free One-on-One Technical Assistance
A Maryland Nonprofits staff is always available to provide your organization with informed answers to your questions about most topics related to nonprofit sector. Help is truly just a phone call away.

• Nonprofits Resource Library
  Our Nonprofit Resource Library provides hundreds of titles geared to the nonprofit sector. With the assistance of our librarian, you can locate needed resources and information. Our library includes grant research materials, including Foundation Directory Online Professional, GrantsDirect.com, and Pro Platinum. Members also receive discounted rates on the purchase of many books and resources. Please inquire with librarian for specific details.

Save BIG with the Power of Numbers
Maryland Nonprofits is able to offer you discounted insurance rates because our size gives us buying power. As our membership grows, so does our ability to negotiate with vendors to provide you with the best rates.

Group Buying Plans
Maryland Nonprofits offers members the following set of insurance packages offered by different providers and sold through Gorges & Company, Incorporated:

• Directors and Officers Liability Insurance Program
• Fidelity Bond Insurance Program
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Workers' Compensation Program

We also offer the following programs through our relationship with various vendors:

• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement and Employer Contribution Plans
• Discount Arrangements
• Payroll and Tax Services
• Office Equipment Program

Participate in Maryland Nonprofits Standards for Excellence® Program
The Maryland Nonprofits Standards for Excellence® Program is designed to promote excellence and integrity in nonprofit organizations. The program is based on a code of conduct called The Standards for Excellence®: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector. The Standards for Excellence® program provides a wide array of services to help nonprofit organization implement the Standards in an effort to improve their work. As part of the Standards certification program, organizations voluntarily submit to a rigorous review of all aspects of their program operations. Organizations that have earned the Seal of Excellence have passed this review and found to be exemplary. Visit the Standards for Excellence® website for more information.

Have a voice in the legislative process as a Nonprofit Organization

Maryland Nonprofits works as a public policy advocate to promote and protect the interests of the nonprofit sector by educating government officials about the integral role of nonprofit organizations in our state and by advocating for policies favorable to nonprofits.

• Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute - The Institute provides independent nonpartisan research and analysis of state budget and tax policy priorities. We conduct research to promote the long-term fiscal health of the state and to inform the debate on issues affecting vulnerable populations, communities, and important community programs and services.

Meet and network with other nonprofit professionals

• Monthly Member Nnewsletter, Sector Connector - Every odd month (January, March, May, July, September and November) we send you the printed Sector Connector newsletter to keep you informed about important developments in the nonprofit sector.  From the latest information about our programs and services, to alerts about public policy developments, to news clips and articles -- we sift through all the mail and information that arrives in our inboxes and share with you what you need to know. On a monthly basis, members also receive a Sector Connector email update. 
  
• Roundtables - These free meetings devoted to questions, dialogue and networking provide an opportunity for nonprofit practitioners to share information with reporters, grant makers, and other individuals key to the success of nonprofit professionals.

Additional Resources and Facilities