The Community Foundation of Howard County, the Horizon Foundation, the United Way of Central Maryland and the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County jointly condemn the acts of violence perpetrated on our United States Capitol and our elected leaders on January 6 in a deliberate attempt to disrupt the certification of a fair and democratic election. This attack on the peaceful transition of democratic power – which is so core to our principles as a nation – is an affront to us all.

Maryland Philanthropy Network has joined Maryland Nonprofits and our colleagues across Maryland in responding to a call for ideas from the State for how the budget surplus should be allocated. MPN was part of a group of 170 practitioners and partners that came together to create a joint appeal the result of which is this letter to the Governor. Together, we urge the State to dedicate $1 billion of the projected budget surplus for targeted relief, and that $500 million of this commitment should continue in future budgets to assure sustainability and for more equitable disbursement of state resources in partnership with the social purpose sector.

Independent Sector regularly releases quarterly and annual reports that serve as an evolving and growing resource of data, analysis, and recommendations about key areas powering more than 1.8 million U.S. nonprofits. This most recent report provides an analysis of data highlighting the nonprofit economy and human capital. Recommendations cover research, practice, and policy.

The Open Society Foundations will provide $1 million in direct financial and other emergency support for workers in Baltimore who have been hit hard by COVID-19 and are at greatest risk of falling into extreme hardship, including those who are unemployed and the formerly incarcerated.