Maryland Nonprofits has announced a new campaign, ACTivate Maryland, to sustain important state investments in programs that create economic opportunities, promote equity and inclusion and improve Marylanders’ quality of life. Advocates say such state resources are particularly critical at a time when federal funding for programs related to health, transit, environmental protection and community development is in jeopardy.

ACTivate Maryland brings together a range of nonprofit organizations across the state that support sustained investments in education, health care, transit and other key areas that are crucial to promoting economic opportunity.

“While Maryland is one of the nation’s most affluent states, many individuals, families and communities are locked out of that prosperity,” said Heather Iliff, executive director of Maryland Nonprofits. “When Maryland invests in its communities, everybody wins. ACTivate Maryland will encourage Marylanders across the state to be more vocal about supporting state investment in critical programs.”

ACTivate Maryland’s partner organizations include the following.
• 1,000 Friends of Maryland
• Advocates for Children and Youth Associated Black Charities
• Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers
• CASH Campaign of Maryland (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope)
• Catholic Charities
• Community Development Network of Maryland
• Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance
• League of Women Voters
• Job Opportunities Task Force
• Maryland Center on Economic Policy
• Maryland Citizens for the Arts
• Health Care for All
• Maryland Association of Resources for Families and Youth
• Maryland Family Network
• Nonprofit Montgomery
• Nonprofit Prince George’s

On March 7, the Maryland Board of Revenue Estimates raised its projection for fiscal 2019 by $433.6 million. Members of ACTivate Maryland believe that this new revenue gives the state an opportunity to invest in critical support programs and infrastructure. Advocates say state revenue is needed to improve public transit, expand the earned income tax credit (EITC), establish green energy jobs, increase affordable housing, provide better child care and promote Smart Growth policies.