“We need the partnership of the nonprofit and philanthropic communities to meet the needs of all Marylanders,” said Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller in her remarks. “We will also work to implement legislation championed by Senator Kagan and signed into law by Governor Moore this year to ensure prompt payment on grants and contracts by our State agencies to nonprofit organizations.”
Senate Bill 112 and House Bill 328, establishing invoicing and prompt payment requirements for certain State grants, and State Bill 53 and House Bill 84, requiring a FY24 appropriation of $1,000,000 to the Nonprofit, Interest-Free, Micro Bridge Loan (NIMBL), were important priorities achieved for Maryland’s nonprofit sector in the 2023 session.
The government frequently contracts with nonprofits to provide critical social services such as food banks and housing assistance. Late payments and barriers to funding are a common burden to nonprofits. A 2022 analysis by the Abell Foundation revealed that in Baltimore City, recipients of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) waited a median of 438 days for the City to approve contracts. While difficult for all organizations, these delays disproportionality affect small organizations, which are more likely to be led by people of color, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
“Maryland Nonprofits is the only statewide organization dedicated to building the capacity of, advocating for, and convening the over 40,000 nonprofits in Maryland,” said Maryland Nonprofits’ President and CEO, Heather Iliff. “I am grateful to have the Moore/Miller administration as a partner advancing greater quality of life and equity in Maryland.”
“Maryland Philanthropy Network’s collaboration with Maryland Nonprofits provides important touchpoints for nonprofit, philanthropy, and government leaders to share information, strategize on public policy, identify pressing issues, build relationships, and lay the foundation for meaningful partnerships that produce community-led change,” said Maryland Philanthropy Network’s Interim President and CEO, Kevin McHugh. “We are committed to the continuation of these conversations and look forward to co-creating a future where ‘no Marylander is left behind.’ ”
Maryland Nonprofits’ annual policy priorities are informed by its members and the broader nonprofit community, and the 2024 Maryland Nonprofits Policy Survey is currently being administered to identify nonprofit sector priorities for the 2024 Maryland General Assembly session.
For 30 years, Maryland Nonprofits has worked to promote a thriving and effective nonprofit sector in Maryland. Maryland Nonprofits is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, non-partisan membership organization with a mission to strengthen organizations for greater quality of life and equity. Nonprofits, businesses that serve nonprofits, government agencies, students, and individuals comprise our membership.
Maryland Nonprofits
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