Fundraising and Sustainability Scholarship Program

Funder: Charles County Charitable Trust (in partnership with Charles County Public Library and Maryland Nonprofits)

Geographic Scope: Charles County, Maryland

Program Description: Professional development and capacity-building program designed to assist nonprofit organizations in developing individualized annual fundraising plans that integrate fundraising, marketing, and communications to increase financial support and ensure organizational sustainability.

Program Goals:

• Address critical nonprofit sector challenge of diversifying funding bases
• Provide technical assistance in fundraising and sustainability planning
• Strengthen overall nonprofit sector capacity

Background:

• Created in response to sector-wide need: 75% of nonprofit survey respondents in 2017 Nonprofit Economic & Social Impact Study identified "diversifying funding base" as their top challenge
• 2019 cohort included 24 individuals from 16 scholarship-winning organizations

Program Components:

• Individual fundraising plan development
• Integration of fundraising, marketing, and communications strategies
• Seminars and workshops
• Coaching sessions
• Peer learning opportunities

Implementation Timeline (2019 cohort):

• Seminars, workshops, and coaching sessions held March - June 2019
• 24 nonprofit staff/leaders participated

Award Type: Scholarship (program participation; not direct funding)

Contact Information:

• Charles County Charitable Trust
• Address: 9501 Crain Highway, Box 2, Bel Alton, MD 20611
• Phone: 301-934-3700
• Email: info@charlesnonprofits.org