January 2026 Nonprofit Institute Newsletter

Logo for the Nonprofit Institute at the College of Southern Maryland, featuring a handshake graphic and the institute's name.January 2026 Newsletter

Director's Letter

Dear Colleagues in the Work of Caring,

Welcome to 2026! As the calendar turned, we hope you found moments of rest, joy, and renewal during the holiday season. A new year always brings fresh energy, new ideas, bold intentions, and exciting possibilities. At the Nonprofit Institute (NPI), we are stepping into the year energized and inspired, with big plans to support and strengthen the nonprofit community across Southern Maryland.

Mark your calendars and register now for the 16th Annual Nonprofit Institute Conference, Tuesday, March 10 and the 3rd Annual CSM Day of Service, Tuesday, April 21. Because these important events are close together, we’ve also extended the deadline to submit projects for the 3rd Annual CSM Day of Service to Jan. 12. Now is the time to get your ideas in and be part of this powerful day of community impact.

Finally, new classes have arrived!
We’re excited to offer a fresh learning opportunity focused on volunteer recruitment, especially engaging the next generations who are actively seeking meaningful ways to serve. Take a look, register, and invest in the future of your organization.

May your holiday season be safe and filled with joy. 

With gratitude,

Stephanie Rolle wearing a black shirt and a statement necklace, standing in an elegantly decorated room.

 
Stephanie
Stephanie D. Rolle
Director, Nonprofit Institute at CSM
Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultant

Happy New Year 202Happy New Year 2026 gif showing a page turn from a Farewell 2025 page flipping the page to a Hello 2026 page6 gif showing a page turn from a Farewell 2025 page

Announcements

16th Annual Nonprofit Institute Conference: Always a Way: Strong Hope. Determined Action. Strategic Solutions. Tuesday, March 10, 2026

16th Annual Nonprofit Institute Conference:

Tuesday, March 10Register Now

Registration closes Feb. 27.

We hope you will join us as we make the 2026 conference a memorable and impactful event. 

 

📣CALL FOR PRESENTERS📣

Share your voice and your expertise!

Darin Nielson on the main stage in BI Bldg for the 2025 NPI Conference

We invite you to submit a proposal to present at the 16th Annual Nonprofit Institute Conference. Breakout sessions will feature five dynamic options within each of the three core topic areas: Strong Hope. Determined Action. Strategic Solutions. Presenting is a powerful way to serve the nonprofit sector, elevate your work, and connect with an engaged audience of more than 150 nonprofit leaders.

Submit Your Proposal

The deadline - Jan. 19 - is approaching quickly, submit your proposal today!

CSM's Day of Service with the NPI hands logo as the O in of, and the CSM mascot hawk head

3rd Annual Day of Service

Tuesday, April 21

It's time to sign up and submit your project idea as we gear up to serve our beloved Southern Maryland communities! The project submission deadline is extended until Jan. 12.

Submit Your Project

 All participating nonprofits must attend our mandatory orientation via Zoom on Jan. 29, at 10 a.m. The meeting link will be emailed to participants once the deadline for submitting projects closes. Mark your calendar and get ready to connect, collaborate, and create lasting change. Let’s make the 3rd Annual Day of Service unforgettable.

Making An Impact

Want to find more ways to volunteer?

EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES

Wellness Matters

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A guy jumping from one side of a cliff saying 2025 to another cliff saying 2026 showing a wide gap between cliffs

15 New Year Wellness Initiatives for the Workplace

As demand for nonprofit services continues to grow, supporting the wellness of the people doing the work has never been more important. The good news? Workplace wellness doesn’t have to be complicated or costly.

In fact, wellness can be a fun, creative way to strengthen your culture, boost morale, and help your team thrive. Small, intentional practices can go a long way in keeping energy high and burnout low.

This month, we’re sharing no-cost and low-cost ideas that make wellness easy, engaging, and sustainable… perfect for kicking off the new year and carrying forward all year long. Explore simple, feel-good ways to put wellness front and center and bring out the best in your team!

READ MORE

"15 New Year Wellness Initiatives for the Workplace" - Wellable

Professional Development Opportunities and More…

A young couple pounding fists as they wear green shirts that say Volunteer and are standing around donation boxes

Check out our new classes!

New classes have arrived for a new year. This includes a fresh learning opportunity focused on volunteer recruitment, especially engaging the next generations who are actively seeking meaningful ways to serve. Take a look, register, and invest in the future of your organization.

Professional Development Courses

Nonprofit Institute Affinity Groups

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The Nonprofit Institute is interested in hearing from you about topics you wish to discuss during affinity group meetings. Please send suggested topics for specific meetings to nonprofit@csmd.edu.

Join any Zoom meeting:
csmd.zoom.us/j/4018197023
Meeting ID: 401 819 7023
Password: nonprofits

Executive Directors Icon of 2 hands shaking in white - green background

Executive Directors’ Network

We're Back - Thursday, Jan. 22
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of every month (with the exception of holidays).

 

NPI All Community Call icon displaying a phone

The Nonprofit ALL Community Call

All affinity specialty groups come together for an opening chat and/or presentation, then break out into the respective areas of interest (fundraising, marketing, and volunteer coordination) to share ideas with each other.

March 17 meeting canceled due to the college closure for spring break.
Next meeting: June 16, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Meetings are now quarterly — be sure to place the following 2026 dates on your calendar: June 16 / Sept. 15 / Dec. 15

Faith-based affinity group icon of 2 opened up hands with spokes above them white on green

Faith-Based Affinity Group (in person)

Wednesday, Feb. 25
12 p.m.
Ivy & Pearls of Southern Maryland Community Charities, Inc.
3825 Leonardtown Rd., Suite 4,
Waldorf, MD 20604

Nonprofit Spotlight

Responsible Re-Entry - Providing Help, Housing, and Hope showing a roof over the R as a window using the R for both the words Responsible and Re-Entry

Responsible Re-Entry - Providing Help, Housing, and Hope

Responsible Re-Entry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing Help, Housing, and Hope to individuals and families working toward a stable and thriving future. Through supportive living, behavioral health treatment, workforce readiness, and access to permanent housing, Responsible Re-Entry walks alongside people as they rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.

This work is strengthened through partnerships with local and national social service agencies, employment partners, and community development organizations.

Together, comprehensive, wrap-around services that support participants at every stage of their journey is provided. As individuals matriculate through the programs, the scaffolding they need to successfully transition into the workforce, equipping them with skills, confidence, and opportunity is offered. By collaborating with funding partners, Responsible Re-Entry is also able to deliver high-quality training and professional development while easing the financial burden on participants and their families.

This is where you come in.
As Responsible Re-Entry continues to grow the supportive living program, it is actively seeking passionate, committed volunteers who want to be part of meaningful, life-changing work. Whether you bring professional expertise, lived experience, or a willing heart, your time and talent can make a real and lasting impact. Be part of the solution. Be part of hope in action. Together, we all can create pathways to stability, purpose, and possibility.

For more information on Responsible Re-Entry, please contact (301) 818-2812 or email admin@responsiblereentry.org.

READ MORE

 

 Would you like your nonprofit featured in an upcoming spotlight?

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Nonprofit Institute at CSM
nonprofit@csmd.edu
PO Box 910
La Plata, MD 20646-0910
301-934-7544

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