Innovation Council Advances New Funding Streams and Tools for Maryland Nonprofits

Since Maryland’s inaugural Innovation Team convened over a year ago through an executive order by Governor Wes Moore, local nonprofits have seen a surge in resources and strategic support through the Council on Innovation and Impact’s recent meetings. From emergency relief grants to cutting-edge data and AI initiatives, the Council is equipping service providers with the financial backing and technological solutions needed to serve families more effectively today.

In December 2024, Council Chair Jonny Dorsey highlighted the $16 million Key Bridge Fund, earmarking $14 million for emergency relief, small business support and community wellbeing, with the remaining $2 million dedicated to remembrance efforts . Nonprofits assisting households hit by recent economicstorms have tapped these rapid-response funds to cover rent, utilities and food assistance, reducing application turnaround times from weeks to days.

At their March 2025 meeting, Council members addressed looming federal funding cuts and outlined strategies to shield critical programs from instability . With Medicaid, SNAP and TANF budgets under threat at the federal level, nonprofits received guidance on aligning grant proposals with state priorities—thanks to new “funder-priority mapping” tools the Innovation Team has developed in collaboration with Johns Hopkins and philanthropic partners. This work ensures that nonprofits can secure multi-year commitments, even amid shifting funding landscapes.

The Council has also spotlighted promising collaborations like the Reinvest Baltimore Initiative, which converts vacant properties into affordable family housing, and the recent pilot with SIRUM to distribute low-cost prescription drugs through partner clinics . Children’s services groups report that streamlined referral networks from these pilots have increased program enrollment by 20 percent, freeing staff to focus on direct casework instead of administrative coordination.

“Governor Moore’s dedication to tackling childhood poverty and building pathways for family stability is both inspiring and urgently needed. His efforts to invest in long-term solutions show a deep understanding of what it takes to create real change. At Children In Need, we witness every day the barriers that families in our community are up against. This kind of leadership brings renewed hope to thousands of children across Maryland,” said Brittany Wedd, Executive Director of Children In Need, Inc.

Looking ahead, nonprofits are preparing to leverage the Council’s AI Enablement Roadmap, unveiled in March, which offers five strategic pillars for adopting responsible AI in areas such as client intake, needs assessment and impact evaluation . Early adopters in the social-services sector are exploring machine-learning tools, co-developed with the Innovation Team, to predict service gaps and tailor outreach—promising more targeted support for Maryland’s most vulnerable families.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from the Maryland Council on Innovation and Impact meeting minutes

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