July 2026 Nonprofit Institute Newsletter

July 2026 Newsletter

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Director's Letter

Greetings my Colleagues in the Work of Caring,

As the heat intensifies and vacations are planned, I bring greetings from the Nonprofit Institute at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM).

You Asked. We Listened. Now Let’s Connect.

Making the Net Work:
The Collaboration Collective
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
CSM La Plata Campus
Register here by Sept. 15
Continental Breakfast will be served

One message has come through loud and clear from our nonprofit community: "We want more opportunities to network, collaborate, and build meaningful partnerships." So, we're making it happen.

Join us for a one-of-a-kind networking experience created with one purpose in mind: connection.

The morning begins over breakfast, where you'll be seated with organizations that provide similar services. It's an opportunity to introduce your mission, discuss common challenges, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities to work together. Then, through a series of intentional table rotations, you'll connect with nonprofit leaders from across Southern Maryland, expanding your network and discovering organizations you may not have met otherwise.

Throughout the event, you'll explore collaboration from two perspectives: strengthening partnerships within similar service areas and building cross-sector connections that create new opportunities to better serve our communities.

You'll leave with new contacts, fresh ideas, potential partners, and a broader understanding of the incredible work happening throughout Southern Maryland.

What makes this event different? There are no workshops, breakout sessions, or keynote speakers. The entire morning is dedicated to meaningful conversations, intentional networking, and building relationships that last beyond the event.

To make every connection even more valuable, attendees are encouraged to bring flyers, brochures, event information, volunteer opportunities, sponsorship materials, or other tabletop resources to share with fellow participants. Think of it as a mini resource exchange that helps organizations learn more about one another while creating even more opportunities for collaboration.

You asked for more opportunities to connect. NPI is delivering. Now all we need is you. Come ready to meet new partners, share your story, and discover what's possible when Southern Maryland's nonprofit community comes together

17th Annual NPI Conference – March 9, 2027
4th Annual Day of Service – April 27, 2027

Progress never sleeps and making progress is what we do for the good of the Southern Maryland nonprofit community. We are always looking for practical, innovative ways to help you keep pace with a changing landscape.

Please keep sharing your needs with us, and we'll continue partnering with you through professional development, capacity building, preparedness, and collaboration.

At CSM, we count it an honor to serve those who serve others so well. Be sure to click through to learn more.

With gratitude,

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

Wellness Matters

Nonprofit Wellness Matters and is Mission Critical

I remember someone asking, “Why are you including wellness in the strategic plan for the Nonprofit Institute?” It was one of the best questions I have ever been asked.

As we explored the realities facing our sector—burnout, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, the loss of institutional knowledge when talented staff leave, and the critical need for succession planning—the answer became abundantly clear. We also discussed a growing trend among funders who are now looking at wellness strategies as a key component of long-term mission success and organizational sustainability. The response? Complete surprise and a new appreciation for why wellness matters. You should be paying attention too.

The truth is simple: you cannot effectively care for others if you are not caring for yourself and your team. Self-care and team care are not luxuries. They are mission-critical strategies that directly impact performance, retention, leadership development, and the ability to serve your community well.

At the Nonprofit Institute, one of our most significant goals is to strengthen the sustainability of our nonprofit community. Sustainability is not just a financial conversation—it is a people conversation. Healthy organizations are built by healthy people.

So, place wellness at the top of your agenda. Invest in your people. Create a culture where well-being is valued as much as productivity. When you do, you'll discover the powerful 360-degree benefits that extend to your staff, your volunteers, your leadership, your mission, and ultimately, those you serve.

Take a moment to explore the resources page and be inspired. Your mission deserves it—and so do the people carrying it forward.

Explore Wellness Resources

Announcements

Spark 2026!

The new way to share your ideas — anytime. We are receiving wonderful ideas that help us to understand exactly what you would like to see from the Nonprofit Institute. And we love it and invite you to continue to share.

Submit your idea and let’s keep building what’s next together! .

Submit your idea through NPI Spark

Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Executives Seek Volunteer Opportunities

Could you benefit from six months of volunteer service by an executive? Join the LSM Nonprofit Connection! Each year, LSM partners with local nonprofits to provide Executive Program participants a capstone service experience that comprises 25 hours of volunteer service opportunities. They can help stock your shelves and perform other service delivery tasks, but they can also help strengthen your organization for sustainability and increased impact. Participants serve organizations between Oct. 1 and March 31 to gain a deeper understanding of community needs in our region and to join nonprofits' efforts to "be the change." The application deadline is Friday, July 31. Questions? Email info@leadershipsomd.org.

Learn more and to apply

Professional Development

New Opportunities and Courses Onboarding Now

See what’s coming in our professional development line-up. The staple courses that everyone needs are still here but there are new offerings to expand your professional skills and add new ways of thinking about how to solve concerns and be innovative with expansion that sustains your work. Take a look and register!

New opportunities and courses

Making An Impact

Our nonprofits are sustained, in large part, because of volunteers. Please consider sharing your time with a Southern Maryland Nonprofit.

Explore Opportunities

Nonprofit Institute Affinity Groups

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. Your suggestions help shape meaningful conversations. If you are new or simply need a reminder of what each one is, please visit our Affinity Group Definitions Page

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

The Nonprofit ALL Community Call

All affinity specialty groups come together for an opening chat or presentation. Afterward, participants break out into their respective areas of interest — fundraising, marketing, and volunteer coordination — to share ideas with each other.

Next Meeting: Sept. 15
10:30–11:30 a.m.
Meetings are held quarterly. The final meeting of 2026 is scheduled for Dec. 15.

Faith-Based Affinity Group (in person)

Wednesday, Aug. 26
12 - 1 p.m.
Circle of Angels/Mandy Lee’s Vintage Shop & Art Studio
136 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

After this meeting, we'll transition to a virtual format. More details to come.

Voices Of Care (The Nonprofit Institute’s Podcast)

Episode 4: Corae Young

The Nonprofit Institute at CSM sat down with Corae Young, CEO of Young Consulting Services, LLC. Young is also the assistant director for the Family Investment Administration at the Charles County Department of Social Services. Young was named one of Southern Maryland News' "Women to Watch" in 2022.

Learn More

Nonprofit Spotlight

Ivy & Pearls of Southern Maryland, Community Charities, Inc. showing a pearl ring with a leaf instead which says IPSMCC

Ivy and Pearls of Southern Maryland Community Charities, Inc.

Ivy and Pearls of Southern Maryland Community Charities, Inc. (IPSMCC) is a 501(c)(3) organization. The mission of IPSMCC is to support the Maryland Communities of Charles and St. Mary’s Counties. We aim to enhance the socio-economic condition of our environment by providing educational, charitable, financial, cultural and health-related resources and events. Ivy & Pearls of Southern Maryland Community Charities, Inc. (IPSMCC), in partnership with LifeStyles, Inc., offers free SNAP Benefits Assistance to community members in need. Assistance is available at IPSMCC Headquarters and includes help with SNAP applications, redeterminations, customer benefit reviews, change forms, and fraud applications. For more information or questions, please contact 240-607-2844 or email snapassist@ipsmcc.org.