Despite the recession the nonprofit sector in Maryland continues to grow. According to the latest report from the Maryland Association of Nonprofits, not only is the number of nonprofits increasing, but also their budget sizes. Unfortunately due to the recession at the same time, the demand for services is up while donations and grant support has been challenging at best.
A surprising 11 percent of the entire state’s workforce and 10 percent of Maryland’s payroll is derived from Maryland’s more than 30,000 nonprofits and their 255,408 workers, making the health of the state’s nonprofits important not only to their associated missions, but also to the local economy.
Budget planning for these groups have been particularly stressful during the last few years as organizations are forced to budget for lower income due to anticipated decreases in donations and grants while the demands for their services have increased. Maryland non-profits can alleviate some of their budget woes by applying for an annual pro bono program, which awards free communications and marketing services.
Called CreateAThon® , the pro bono program is available regionally through Purple Cat, a mid-shore public relations firm, and Octo Design Group, Philadelphia. The program is open to all 501(c) 3 non-profits from Baltimore through the Mid-Shore. Applications are available by contacting (410) 604-2319, create@purplecatpr.com or can be downloaded at www.purplecatpr.com. The deadline is July 11.
How CreateAThon® works
Public relations or graphic design agencies sign up as local affiliates and choose a specific market. They then solicit applications from 501(c) 3 organizations and select up to three projects (one per non-profit). These projects are then completed free of charge. During the Maryland program the actual work takes place through the summer with final client presentations scheduled during national CreateAThon® Week, September 12 to 16, 2011.
In 2010 Evergreen Cove Holistic Learning Center of Easton was selected for the Maryland CreateAThon® program and received a brand evaluation as its project.
Since the Maryland program began seven years ago, 26 Maryland non-profits and one New Orleans non-profits have been assisted with projects valued at $82,897. Purple Cat and CreateAthon partner firm Octo Design Group are two of the 73 agencies that have joined the CreateAThon® network by presenting programs in their regions. Since 2002 the national CreateAThon® effort has benefited more than 1,100 non-profit organizations with 2,500 projects valued at more than $11 million.
Founded by Carol D’Agostino of Chester, Md., Purple Cat is a public relations firm specializing in comprehensive cost effective public relations and marketing services for non-profits and small businesses. In addition to operating Purple Cat, D’Agostino also writes “Positively PR”, a monthly column produced for Chesapeake Publishing Corporation, and is a board member at Foundation for Community Partnerships, Centreville. Her memberships include the Chesapeake Women’s Network of Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties, the Maryland Association of Nonprofits and the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce.
Now in its 20th year, Octo Design Group is a dedicated design firm that blends traditional design with modern technology. Octo Design Group has the knack of getting to know its clients as well as their industry, enabling the firm to design the necessary pieces to make them stand out from their competition. The firm identifies problems and creates solutions by interviewing clients to understand their needs and goals. Octo Design Group, Inc. has been named to the annual list of the fastest growing, privately held companies in the Greater Philadelphia region.
Applications can be downloaded at www.purplecatpr.com. For more information contact Carol D’Agostino at Purple Cat at (410) 604-2319 or create@purplecatpr.com. Applications must be completed and returned no later than Monday, July 11, for consideration.