Maryland Nonprofits
Building the Fundraising Accelerator from the Ground Up for Maryland Nonprofits
The Challenge
Maryland Nonprofits works with organizations at every stage, but many of the members membersreaching out for fundraising help were not yet ready for it. Many were volunteer-run or newly founded, working with budgets under $100,000, and depended heavily on grants. Some received as much as 95% of their funding from government grants. Others had boards that weren’t yet engaged in fundraising.
Maryland Nonprofits needed a program that could meet members where they were, with a clear path from “where do we start?” to a working fundraising plan.
Our ApproachNonprofit People helped Maryland Nonprofits design and launch the Fundraising Accelerator from scratch. We began with discovery conversations to learn what organizations needed, and those conversations shaped the program’s structure. In a sample of 38 conversations between July and December 2024, we heard the same needs again and again: foundational systems, board involvement, revenue diversification, and a realistic plan.
The Accelerator has three core components:
Fundraising Readiness Track: Builds the foundation before fundraising begins, including budgets, donor management basics, and organizational structure. It was the most commonly recommended service for newer organizations.
Assessment Tool: Gives organizations a clear picture of their current fundraising and where to focus, particularly those with systems in place that weren’t being used to their full potential.
Fundraising Planning: Turns priorities into an actionable plan. It was the most requested service among organizations ready to move forward.
Discovery calls also revealed a need for a complementary offering, Board as Fundraising Partners, along with referrals to other member resources such as grant support.
The Results
38 organizations across Maryland enrolled in or completed the Accelerator
12 assessments completed and10 fundraising plans created
16 organizations engaged through discovery readiness or a combination of services
Why It Worked
Thee Accelerator worked because it was built around what nonprofit leaders actually needed. Our sessions were a way to listen and shape the program with Maryland Nonprofits. When an organization wasn’t ready for the next step, we said so and pointed it to the right starting point. That honesty is what “holding the door” means: guiding nonprofit leaders toward what they need, not just what they ask for.
The structure has lasted. Maryland Nonprofits still uses the readiness, assessment, and planning framework in its back office services, where it helps new and up-and-coming nonprofits find their footing. What began as a program is now part of how the organization supports the next generation of nonprofits.
Ready to get started?
We can help. We’ll work side-by-side with you until your team is ready to run on their own and engage your community. Our goal is to elevate your processes and your fundraising and set you up for future and long-term success.
This is hard work, but you don't have to do it alone! Reach out to tell us more about what you're working on. We're here to listen, brainstorm ideas, and support you however we can.
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