Starting and growing a nonprofit takes dedication—and the right support.
Through our Nonprofit Development Center (NDC), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Commerce, eligible organizations gain access to free resources, expert guidance, and a supportive community to help them build strong foundations and increase their impact.
Approved participants can access:
Participants also gain access to an online portal to connect with experts, access resources, and find answers to nonprofit questions.
Your organization may be eligible if you:
For more information or assistance with accessing the program, contact us at learning@mdnonprofit.org or call (410) 727-6367.
To be eligible for the Nonprofit Development Center, your organization must meet the following criteria:
Joining the NDC is free for eligible organizations. Simply complete an online application, and once we’ve reviewed your information and confirmed eligibility, we’ll notify you of your acceptance.
Once accepted, you’ll receive a welcome email with an invitation to set up an initial one-hour consulting session with our NDC team.
Additionally, you’ll gain access to our member community, where you can:
Each resource is designed to support your organization’s growth and mission.
If you’re facing a complex issue and are a Maryland Nonprofits member, you may be eligible to apply for up to 20 hours of consulting support through the NDC. Organizations should demonstrate that they’ve utilized available NDC services and outline how additional consulting will help advance their mission.
NDC consulting clients have reported meaningful improvements in areas such as morale, organizational culture, board engagement, partnerships, fundraising, and strategic direction.
Join Maryland Nonprofits to access additional NDC benefits! Membership dues start at just $110.
Benefit | All NDC Participants | NDC Participants with Maryland Nonprofits Membership |
Online Member Community access | ✓ | ✓ |
Free technical assistance via online portal | ✓ | ✓ |
Free document downloads | ✓ | ✓ |
Discounted and Free Classroom and Online Training | ✓ | ✓ |
Free participation in Executive Roundtables | ✓ | ✓ |
Discounted Annual Conference registration | ✓ | ✓ |
Free technical assistance by phone | ✓ | ✓ |
1-hour free consulting | ✓ | ✓ |
Priority registration for certain programs | ✓ | ✓ |
Free consulting engagement eligibility* (up to 20 hours) | ✓ | |
Free Annual Conference registration* | ✓ | |
Standards for Excellence Basics Recognition application & license fee waived | ✓ | |
Subject to limitations | ✓ |
There is no cost to join if you qualify. If you meet these requirements, we invite you to apply and join a supportive network of Maryland nonprofits.
Apply Now!