Frederick County is home to over 1,000 non-profits. How many is too many?
Equipped with TEDTalks, reading materials, and minds full of questions, the Leadership Frederick County Class of 2022 entered the ARC of Frederick County determined to find the answer.
The day started with a presentation on the “Avengers Approach” to developing a healthy, thriving community. The basic concept is: while a singular non-profit is a superhero at serving one sector of the community, when they’re combined, teamwork makes them unstoppable. This collaboration between organizations is what makes Frederick County extraordinary.
With this approach in mind, we asked how we can contribute to this team effort. Here are the takeaways:
- Educate yourself: Research these organizations so you know where your time and money go, and can be an ambassador for their services. Word-of-mouth powers community growth.
- Donate money: Contribute to non-profits, whether through corporate sponsorship or individual donations. Financial gifts fuel their good work.
- Donate time: Volunteer your time and talent. If their work speaks to your soul, sign up to be a volunteer.
Every non-profit team member we met, whether in a group discussion or on a site tour, shared their “why” for starting or joining a non-profit. Identifying the need for change (and potentially playing a role in making that happen) drove their decision-making. Our community is all the better for it.
Circling back to our question for the day: no, there are not too many non-profit organizations in the County. As long as members of our community struggle with food insecurity, houselessness, physical and mental health challenges, domestic violence, access to medical and dental care, and more, Frederick County still has plenty of room for warm hearts and big visions. Our non-profits achieve great things by themselves, but the power of many is stronger than the power of one, so they’re that much better together.
Ellen Buchanan is a member of the Leadership Frederick County Class of 2021-2022 Cohort. She is a marketing professional with a passion for growing communities and enriching lives through digital storytelling. As a Communications Specialist at Platinum PR, her responsibilities include developing and implementing multi-channel advertising and marketing strategies, conducting media outreach, creating social media, website and blog content, assisting clients to reach their communication goals, and conducting virtual meetings and events. Given the opportunity, Ellen also goes behind the lens of her camera to highlight communities through photography.
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.