19 Best Non-Profit Organizations in Maryland 2025

This comprehensive guide highlights some of the 19 most effective and well-established non-profits in Maryland, providing key information about their mission, impact, and how to connect with them.

List of Top Non-Profit Organizations in Maryland

1. Maryland Food Bank

Category: Food Security & Hunger Relief

Address: 2200 Halethorpe Farms Rd, Baltimore, MD 21227

Year Established: 1979

Impact: The Maryland Food Bank distributes more than 45 million meals annually across 21 counties and Baltimore City, serving approximately 350,000 Marylanders each month through a network of 1,250+ community partners.

Website: www.mdfoodbank.org

The Maryland Food Bank pioneered innovative programs like FoodWorks, a culinary training program that prepares unemployed and underemployed adults for careers while creating nutritious meals for distribution.

2. The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore

Category: Community Development & Religious Services

Address: 101 W Mt Royal Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201

Year Established: 1920

Impact: Serves over 40,000 people annually through a network of 26 affiliated agencies providing education, housing, health services, elder care, and community development programs.

Website: www.associated.org

The Associated has been instrumental in rebuilding Baltimore neighborhoods and provides comprehensive services from early childhood education to end-of-life care.

3. Maryland SPCA

Category: Animal Welfare

Address: 3300 Falls Rd, Baltimore, MD 21211

Year Established: 1869

Impact: Finds homes for over 3,000 animals annually, performs 9,000+ spay/neuter surgeries, and reaches thousands of children through humane education programs.

Website: www.mdspca.org

As one of the oldest animal welfare organizations in the country, the Maryland SPCA has pioneered innovative adoption programs and community initiatives to reduce pet homelessness.

4. Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health

Category: Public Health

Address: 415 N Washington St, Baltimore, MD 21231

Year Established: 1991

Impact: Serves over 125 tribal communities nationwide, has trained 300+ Native health leaders, and developed evidence-based interventions that have reduced infant mortality by 80% in partner communities.

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Website: caih.jhu.edu

The Center combines research, education, and service to address health disparities in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, with global influence on indigenous health initiatives.

5. Maryland New Directions

Category: Employment & Career Services

Address: 2700 N Charles St, Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21218

Year Established: 1973

Impact: Helps over 300 individuals annually secure meaningful employment with an average wage increase of 85% for clients, resulting in over $5 million in economic impact.

Website: www.mdnewdirections.org

This non-profit organization in Baltimore specializes in industry-specific training programs and has a proven track record of helping underserved populations overcome barriers to employment.

6. Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Category: Environmental Conservation

Address: 6 Herndon Ave, Annapolis, MD 21403

Year Established: 1967

Impact: Has planted 100+ million oysters, restored thousands of acres of wetlands, and educated over 1.5 million students about bay conservation through award-winning programs.

Website: www.cbf.org

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation being one of the top non-profit organizations in Maryland is the largest conservation organization dedicated solely to saving the Chesapeake Bay watershed, operating innovative education centers and conducting vital restoration work.

7. House of Ruth Maryland

Category: Domestic Violence Prevention & Support

Address: 2201 Argonne Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218

Year Established: 1977

Impact: Serves over 7,000 victims of intimate partner violence annually through emergency shelter, legal services, counseling, and a 24-hour hotline.

Website: www.hruth.org

House of Ruth Maryland has been at the forefront of domestic violence prevention, advocating for legislative changes while providing comprehensive services to survivors.

8. Maryland Nonprofits

Category: Nonprofit Support & Development

Address: 1500 Union Ave, Suite 2500, Baltimore, MD 21211

Year Established: 1992

Impact: Supports over 1,300 member organizations representing 30,000+ nonprofit professionals through training, advocacy, and consulting services.

Website: www.marylandnonprofits.org

Maryland Nonprofits provides essential resources for starting and operating nonprofits in Maryland, including Standards for Excellence certification and legislative advocacy.

9. United Way of Central Maryland

Category: Community Support & Funding

Address: 1800 Washington Blvd, Suite 340, Baltimore, MD 21230

Year Established: 1925

Impact: Invests over $20 million annually in programs serving 11 counties and Baltimore City, helping over 400,000 Marylanders through coordinated services.

Website: www.uwcm.org

United Way of Central Maryland focuses on education, economic advancement, and health while coordinating rapid response during crises through the 211 Maryland helpline.

10. The Arc Maryland

Category: Disability Services & Advocacy

Address: 8601 Robert Fulton Dr, Suite 140, Columbia, MD 21046

Year Established: 1961

Impact: Serves thousands of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through 10 local chapters across Maryland, advocating for inclusive policies and providing direct services.

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Website: www.thearcmd.org

The Arc Maryland has been instrumental in transforming Maryland’s approach to serving people with disabilities, championing community-based services and inclusive education.

11. Healthcare for the Homeless

Category: Healthcare & Homelessness Services

Address: 421 Fallsway, Baltimore, MD 21202

Year Established: 1985

Impact: Provides comprehensive healthcare to over 10,000 individuals experiencing homelessness annually, with integrated medical, dental, behavioral health, and supportive housing services.

Website: www.hchmd.org

Healthcare for the Homeless pioneered the integrated care model for homeless populations and advocates for policy solutions to address the root causes of homelessness.

12. Casey Trees Maryland

Category: Urban Forestry & Environmental Sustainability

Address: 3030 12th St NE, Washington, DC 20017 (Serves Maryland communities)

Year Established: 2002

Impact: Has planted over 35,000 trees across the region, trained 5,000+ citizen foresters, and implemented urban forestry programs that have increased tree canopy by 15% in target communities.

Website: www.caseytrees.org

Casey Trees Maryland works to protect and expand the urban tree canopy through community engagement, education, and advocacy, with particular focus on underserved neighborhoods.

13. BARCS (Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter)

Category: Animal Welfare & Rescue

Address: 2490 Giles Rd, Baltimore, MD 21225

Year Established: 2005

Impact: Saves the lives of over 12,000 animals annually and has achieved a 90%+ live release rate through innovative adoption, foster, and community outreach programs.

Website: www.barcs.org

BARCS has transformed Baltimore’s approach to animal welfare through low-cost veterinary services, community education programs, and progressive shelter policies.

14. Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore

Category: Philanthropy & Grantmaking

Address: 1324 Belmont Ave, Suite 401, Salisbury, MD 21804

Year Established: 1984

Impact: Manages over $200 million in assets and has awarded more than $84 million in grants to local nonprofits serving the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Website: www.cfes.org

The Community Foundation is a committed non-profit in Maryland that connects philanthropists with vital community causes and has been instrumental in developing the nonprofit infrastructure of rural Maryland counties.

15. Paul’s Place

Category: Comprehensive Community Services

Address: 1118 Ward St, Baltimore, MD 21230

Year Established: 1982

Impact: Serves over 80,000 meals annually while providing case management, workforce development, health services, and youth programming to 5,000+ individuals in Southwest Baltimore.

Website: www.paulsplaceoutreach.org

Paul’s Place offers a comprehensive approach to poverty alleviation through a continuum of services that address immediate needs while building pathways to self-sufficiency.

16. The Family Tree

Category: Child Abuse Prevention & Family Support

Address: 2108 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218

Year Established: 1972

Impact: Reaches over 24,000 individuals annually through parenting education, home visiting programs, and a 24-hour helpline, achieving a 97% success rate in preventing child maltreatment in high-risk families.

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Website: www.familytreemd.org

The Family Tree uses evidence-based programs to strengthen families and communities, breaking the cycle of child abuse through education and support services.

17. Kennedy Krieger Institute

Category: Disability Services & Research

Address: 707 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205

Year Established: 1937

Impact: Serves more than 25,000 individuals annually through 80+ specialty clinics, schools, and community programs, while conducting groundbreaking research on developmental disabilities.

Website: www.kennedykrieger.org

Kennedy Krieger Institute is an internationally recognized leader in providing innovative care for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities and disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and musculoskeletal system.

18. Maryland Community Action Partnership

Category: Poverty Alleviation & Community Development

Address: 420 Chinquapin Round Rd, Suite 2-I, Annapolis, MD 21401

Year Established: 1986

Impact: Coordinates a network of 17 Community Action Agencies that collectively serve over 300,000 low-income Marylanders annually with comprehensive anti-poverty programs.

Website: www.maryland-cap.org

The Maryland Community Action Partnership advocates for systemic change while implementing innovative programs that address the causes and conditions of poverty across the state.

19. Moveable Feast

Category: Food & Nutrition for Vulnerable Populations

Address: 901 N Milton Ave, Baltimore, MD 21205

Year Established: 1989

Impact: Delivers over 800,000 nutritious meals annually to individuals living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses across 14 Maryland counties and Baltimore City.

Website: www.mfeast.org

Moveable Feast combines food delivery with nutrition counseling and transportation services to address the complex needs of chronically ill Marylanders.

Starting a Non-profit in Maryland

For those interested in establishing a new nonprofit organization in Maryland, the process involves several key steps:

Form a Board of Directors with at least three unrelated individuals
File Articles of Incorporation with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation
Apply for an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS

File for 501(c)(3) status using IRS Form 1023 or 1023-EZ
Register with the Maryland Secretary of State’s Office for charitable solicitation
Obtain necessary business licenses for your specific activities

Maryland Nonprofits offers comprehensive resources and guidance for navigating the registration process, including templates and consulting services for new organizations.

These leading nonprofit organizations demonstrate the diversity and impact of Maryland’s charitable sector, addressing critical needs while contributing significantly to the state’s economic and social well-being.