Maryland has almost 33,000 nonprofit enterprises, or about five and a half nonprofits per 1,000 people. That is not surprising based on Maryland’s location next to the nation’s capital and its affluent, educated population. For contrast, California has more than 160,000 nonprofits, yet that large number represents “only” a little over four nonprofit enterprises per 1000 people.
What exactly is a nonprofit? There are two principal types of non-profits: Tax exempt groups formed under section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code as “public charities” because they are formed for the “public benefit” and foundations (either community or private). Here’s a simple breakdown of nonprofit types and incidence by-type (Source: National Council of Nonprofits):
Garrett County has a fairly large number of nonprofits, given its lack of population density and limited population (~30,000). While estimates vary and it was difficult to obtain a consensus figure, there are over three dozen nonprofits that are members of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, at least eight non-profit schools in the county, at least 12 volunteer fire departments/rescue squads, and estimates by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation forecast the number to be well over 200 entities, employing over 1,000 individuals.
Regardless of the exact numbers, there are a number of Garrett County non-profits that are actively and visibly engaged in making our community a better place to live, helping those in need a providing stewardship for our great area natural resources, including Deep Creek Lake. While we hope to delve into a few of our local nonprofits in part two of this article (which will appear in June or July), here’s a list of the nonprofits we could identify. This list reads like a “who’s who” of area organizations that are actively and effectively engaged in our community. Again, I hope to “dig-deeper” in our next installment and profile a few nonprofits and their leadership/employees for our readers.
Here’s the list. Note: this is not a 100% inclusive list and I welcome submissions of any I missed:
- AAUW – Garrett Branch
- AAUW Student Chapter
- Appalachian Crossroads
- Barn Quilt Association of Garrett County
- Christian Crossing Thrift Shop
- Cindy’s Fund
- Civic Club of Oakland
- Deep Creek Lake Lions
- Deep Creek Watershed Foundation*
- Dove Center
- Engage Mountain Maryland
- Friends of Deep Creek Lake
- Friends of Ruth Enlow Library
- Foster Appalachia
- Garrett Choral Society
- Garrett College Foundation, Inc. I Can Swim
- Garrett Community Concert Band
- Garrett County Arts Council
- Garrett County Commission for Women
- Garrett County Community Action
- Garrett County Celtic Festival
- Garrett County Habitat for Humanity
- Garrett County Historical Society
- Garrett County Humane Society
- Garrett County Lighthouse
- Garrett Lakes Arts Festival (GLAF)*
- Garrett Mentors
- Garrett Organization for the Handicapped
- Garrett Trails
- GEARS, Inc.
- Grantsville Rotary
- Greater Grantsville Business Association
- HART for Animals* (Pick of the Litter Thrift Shop)
- Home Builders Association of Western Maryland
- Historic B&O Train Museum
- Hospice of Garrett County
- House of Hope
- James Isaac House
- Landon’s Library
- Maryland 4-H Environmental Education and Camping Center
- Nearly New Shop
- Oakland-Mt. Lake Park Lions Club
- Oakland Rotary
- Our Town Theater
- Property owners Association of Deep Creek lake
- Reading Station, The
- Ruth Enlow Library
- Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
- Special Olympics Maryland – Garrett County
- John’s Lutheran Church
- The Greater Cumberland Committee
- United Way of Garrett County
* Advertising partner on Deep Creek Times