General

Business Volunteers and Baker Donelson Join Forces to Support Five Nonprofits Focused on Homelessness

July 30, 2024 by Tracy O’Connor

Business Volunteers Maryland (BVM) and Baker Donelson came together on July 18, 2024, to host skillCONNECT, a highly structured several hour event to bring the expertise of business professionals to nonprofit leaders facing unique challenges. Twenty-four volunteers from twelve different organizations came together to support five Baltimore-area nonprofits focused on homelessness resulting in close to $16,000 of professional time and talent being infused into these nonprofits.

During skillCONNECT, teams of volunteers from Baker Donelson and their business partners worked with the nonprofits, bringing their expertise and ideas to help the organizations navigate challenges related to strategic planning, finance, fundraising, human resources, marketing, and more.

The five nonprofits selected to participate were:

Business Volunteers has facilitated numerous skillCONNECT events over the years, bringing the expertise of business professionals to nonprofit leaders facing business challenges. “The energy was just incredible: picture a room full of powerful professionals collaborating, diving deep, problem solving and action planning to lift nonprofits tackling homelessness. We are grateful to Baker Donelson for not just hosting this event and engaging their associates but inviting their partners from other companies to join as well,” said Alissa Ganser, President and CEO of Business Volunteers. “It’s a powerful way to give back to the community,” added Ganser.

Michael A. Schollaert, a Baker Donelson shareholder and a member of the BVM Board of Directors, added, “It was uplifting to bring together my colleagues, our clients, and BVM to support such outstanding organizations. The feedback from both the volunteers and the nonprofits was overwhelmingly positive. I’m thankful for my colleagues and our clients who gave so freely of their time, knowledge, and talents to support the incredible work these organizations are doing to build a path out of homelessness for people in our community. We hope this has been beneficial to these nonprofits, and we look forward to continuing to lend our support by hosting another event in the future.”

One of the nonprofits in attendance at skillCONNECT, Lonnie Walker, Founder and CEO of JOY Baltimore commented, “The wealth of knowledge and insights shared throughout this incredible experience have left a lasting impact on me, and I am deeply appreciative of the privilege to being part of this event.”

For more information about skillCONNECT, please visit https://businessvolunteersmd.org/connect-experiences-and-engagement/.

Event Photos

Business Volunteers Maryland Announces New CEO

April 23, 2024 by Tracy O’Connor

Current Chief Service Officer selected to lead organization

Business Volunteers Maryland, the leading resource for connecting businesses with community engagement in the region, announces Alissa Ganser as its President and CEO, beginning June 1.

Ganser currently serves as the Chief Service Officer. She follows Julie Crisp Kernan, who led the organization for five years, including during the challenging season of the pandemic. Kernan is retiring on May 31 but will remain on the Business Volunteers’ Board of Directors.

“When I joined the organization, one of the clear visions was to develop a thoughtful leadership succession plan,” Kernan said. “Over the last five years, I have been able to witness the knowledge, skills, ability and passion Alissa brings to her work. She has a deep understanding of what it will take to continue to grow and serve our community, and I could not be more optimistic and supportive of Alissa as the Board’s choice to take my place.”

“In the nearly nine years I have worked for Business Volunteers, I continue to be energized and inspired by the people we work with—our business partners, the leaders, the nonprofits—and the enthusiasm and impact I see following our events and programming,” Ganser said. “With tremendous value for both businesses and nonprofits, it is truly an honor to play matchmaker for social impact. I look forward to serving in this important role and building even stronger bridges between the sectors.”

Ganser has been a staple in the community engagement and social impact space for more than two decades. Across roles at nonprofit and educational institutions throughout the country, including Baltimore’s Abell Foundation, KIPP Baltimore, and Reading Partners, Ganser has built transformative and innovative cross-sector partnerships and mobilized individuals in efforts that drive social change and uplift all parties involved. With a degree in Public Policy from the Johns Hopkins University, she understands social systems, the complementary relationship between business and community, and the importance of ensuring professionals have the pathways and knowledge they need to make an impact.

“When we were building the leadership succession plan, Alissa was always at the top of the Board’s mind as a confident and competent leader,” Ron Causey, Business Volunteers Maryland’s Board Chair, said. “Prior to Julie’s arrival in 2019, Alissa served as our Interim Executive Director and then in the years to follow we were able to see her drive successful programming for the business and nonprofit community time and time again. The Board is confident in Alissa as the leader to take Business Volunteers into the future.”

Business Volunteer Maryland’s mission is to inspire volunteerism and connect motivated people and businesses to nonprofit organizations leading to stronger communities. Over the past 21 years, Business Volunteers brings the talents of local business professionals to nonprofit organizations seeking volunteers and board leadership.

Apply for the 2024 GIVE Fellowship!

January 3, 2024 by Alissa Ganser

As you think about the new year, I encourage you to consider the 2024 GIVE Fellowship for yourself, your company, or a like-minded person in your network.

The Business Volunteers GIVE Fellowship is the region’s premier professional development opportunity for civic-minded professionals looking to develop a critical perspective, deep experience, and a game changing network of accomplished alumni who share a commitment to giving back. Each year, from April to November, GIVE welcomes 40-50 dedicated professionals from a wide network of the region’s leading employers.

Is GIVE right for your employer?

With over 200 leading businesses having participated in GIVE, there is tremendous value in making sure your company is represented. GIVE Fellows embark on the ultimate professional development journey with proven growth in a variety of key leadership skills and the gain of an impressive network.

Is GIVE right for you?

Are you committed to giving back and building a healthy and thriving Baltimore?
Are you interested in a transformative personal and professional development experience?
Are you seeking to be a part of a network of 600+ like-minded professionals?

Simply put, there is no better investment than GIVE.

Applications for the 2024 GIVE Fellowship are now open! Closing February 5th.

To learn much more about the program, our fellows and alumni, sign up for an info session,
access the application, or nominate someone you know, CLICK HERE.

Remembering Business Volunteers’ 20th Anniversary

October 12, 2023 by Alissa Ganser

In June, Business Volunteers Maryland hosted a celebration in recognition of TWENTY YEARS serving our shared community. For two decades, BVM has kept the needs of our nonprofit community in the forefront, recognizing the role business leaders can and should play in making our City a better place to live and work. The vision for engaging business and professionals in board service and volunteering to share expertise and build stronger nonprofit organizations has resulted in not only stronger nonprofit organizations but also significant benefits for our business partners and the employees who serve. We had the opportunity to ask many of our stakeholders about how Business Volunteers Maryland has impacted their organizations. See the video below to hear directly from our business and nonprofit partners, founding board and current board members, and BVM Staff.

Each participant told an important part of our story and we are so grateful for your advocacy!

Business Volunteers Maryland Celebrates 20 Years

October 11, 2023 by Tracy O’Connor

Thank you for celebrating our milestone anniversary with us earlier this summer! We are so proud of our twenty years of doing good, better in Baltimore and appreciate the role you have played in our achievements.

The venue (The Winslow) provided a perfect setting to reconnect with old friends and network with our community’s most accomplished and recognized leaders. Founding, former, and current members of the Board of Directors; Advisory Board members; GIVE Alumni Committee and GIVE Alumni; business and nonprofit partners; and other community leaders joined our Staff in celebrating two decades of work in and around Baltimore.

We are encouraged by the continued interest in our work and look forward to reconnecting with each of you to ensure we are delivering on your expectations for prioritizing the needs of our neighbors. Thank you for supporting our efforts to lift up those who work so diligently in our shared communities.

Voluntourism: Leave your travel destination better than you found it!

June 21, 2022 by Alissa Ganser

Voluntourism and Days of Service
Here’s an idea! Take time during your next conference or business trip to have fun and give back through “voluntourism.” Voluntourism is a new travel trend catching on with convention attendees and business travelers worldwide. Through this unique activity, groups participate in team-building projects that enhance their travel experience while helping the local community. Voluntourism is a great addition to rounds of golf, professional sporting events, and other typical group outings.

Business Volunteers Maryland is Greater Baltimore’s premier nonprofit organization specializing in volunteer events and is here to help your group make a difference on your next trip to our area.

Benefits of Voluntourism
In addition to having a fun, memorable, and meaningful experience, your participants
will:

Be inspired by their role in positive community development
Benefit local community organizations and causes
Build morale and group relationships
Raise public awareness of the group’s brand and commitment to social responsibility
Experience the local culture in a personal and memorable way

Click here for an option on how to get started!

Business Volunteers Welcomes Sondheim Nonprofit Leadership Fellow

June 11, 2021 by BVMD Staff

Please join Business Volunteers Maryland in welcoming Lara Blaize!

Lara Blaize, 2021 Sondheim Nonprofit Leadership Fellow

Lara has been selected as a fellow for the 2021 Sondheim Nonprofit Leadership Program. Fellows of the program are placed at a nonprofit organization full-time under the mentorship of a dedicated team member from June 7-August 13, 2021. These emerging community leaders attend orientations and seminars targeted to strengthen their understanding of the functions of nonprofits and examining community needs through social challenges. Using the skills they develop during their internships and participation in the program, undergraduates and graduates will complete a group research project studying a community challenge impacting Maryland and design an innovative way to address this challenge.

Lara is a sociology major with a focus on African diaspora at Morgan State University. She believes much of the conflict in the world is caused by a different perspective that goes unexplained and hopes to use her lived experience and degree to combat at least a few of these misunderstandings and create a more inclusive, understanding, and equitable world.

While she is with Business Volunteers, Lara will be supporting our Nonprofit Service Coordinator with various programs and services. Some key tasks include nonprofit relationship management, supporting planning for fall 2021 programs, and supporting the work of the Marketing and Communications Team. She will help develop content for social media including writing and editing blogs and captions, designing graphics, and editing short videos.

Lara will be the driving force for the development of our nonprofit outreach and relationship building by researching benchmark institutions and new nonprofits, co-facilitating internal discovery meetings, independently conduct external relationship meetings, and writing reports that will be presented to our team.

Please join Business Volunteers Maryland in wishing Lara good luck as she embarks on this journey and brings a unique perspective to our team!

Congratulations to the GIVE Fellowship Class of 2020

November 6, 2020 by Tracy O’Connor

Congratulations to the graduating class of Business Volunteers Maryland’s GIVE Fellowship. On Friday, November 13, 2020, Business Volunteers will host a virtual celebration to recognize forty-six rising professionals who amplified their civic engagement, deepened their relationship with Baltimore, and connected with community leaders from across the region. The 2020 class of GIVE will join a network of 450+ GIVE alumni.

When Business Volunteers transformed the fellowship into a virtual experience due to COVID-19, the GIVE Advisory Projects (GAP) remained a core component of the program. The GAP connected nonprofits with GIVE fellows who served as skilled volunteers over a six-month period. From conducting interviews to participating in volunteer activities, GIVE Fellows worked in small teams to learn about their nonprofit partner, the community served by the organization, and the challenges faced by the nonprofit’s leaders. Teams were paired with a GIVE alumnus who served as their project mentor as fellows followed a collaborative process. Each year, GAP teams develop recommendations and solutions that increased nonprofits’ capacity to do good. better.

This year’s GIVE fellows were introduced to collective impact practices and partnered with organizations committed to strengthening Baltimore for youth. GIVE fellows will present their projects with their teams during graduation.

Our graduating fellows, their GAP teams, and the alumni mentors are presented below.

2020 GIVE Advisory Project Teams

Baltimore Food Parks

Works to improve vacant lots, conduct scientific research, and help conserve Baltimore’s greenspace/wildlife through community engagement.

Alec Mitchell, CBRE, Inc.
Brian Lasan, City of Baltimore
Jessica Duvall, Rosenberg Martin Greenberg LLP
Rebecca Moschina, Continental Realty Corporation
Zainab Farhat, Annie E. Casey Foundation
Project Mentor: Kaitlin Brennan (GIVE 2019)

Community Law In Action (CLIA)

Develops young people to be leaders and advocates to advance positive community change through public policy.

Ashley Monroe, BGE
Benjamin Fertig
Jesse Haladay, T. Rowe Price
Michael Mercado, Northrop Grumman
Sandra Herrera
Project Mentor: Samantha Myrick (GIVE 2019)

HASA (The Hearing & Speech Agency)

Connects people to their worlds through hearing and speech-language services, interpreting, and education.

Aaron Nichols, Whiteford, Taylor & Preston
Lauren Novsak, Business Volunteers Maryland
Tamara Arnold, Baltimore Corps
Timothy Sugrue, PWC
Project Mentor: Ashley Webb (GIVE 2014)

iMentor

Builds mentoring relationships that empower first-generation students from low-income communities to graduate high school, succeed in college, and achieve their ambition.

Aaron Fishbein, Transamerica
Alicia Dennis, CohnReznick LLP
Emily Plahanski, SIG
Molly Hayeslip, Baltimore Collegetown Network
Project Mentor: Jhonell Campbell (GIVE 2017)

Improving Education (Bedtime in A Box)

An initiative of Improving Education, Bedtime in A Box partners with community institutions to distribute a curated package of components designed to increase regular and routine exposure to literacy.

Brian Gordon, Brown Advisory Inc.
Catherine Patterson, de Beaumont Foundation
Elie Calm Gorfine, Schiller & Gardyn PA
Jennifer Bove, Atapco Financial Services, Inc.
Meagan Mallen, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School
Project Mentor: Craig Heron (GIVE 2017)

Middle Grades Partnership

Provides students from both Public and Private schools with widely different life experiences the opportunity to work together toward a common goal.

Angela Bossle, Prometric
Brett Sanders, PwC
Eryn Lessard, KIPP Baltimore
Kyle Jenson, M&T Bank
Project Mentor: Austin Tremblay (GIVE 2018)

MissionFit

Provides a safe space, resources for health, and an environment for continued personal growth.

Beth H. McGuire, BGE
Kevin Shields, Harborside Group
Moe Shoots, Baltimore Ravens
Rachel Feldman, Pearlstone
Tatiana Beato, Erickson Living
Project Mentor: Rachel Thompson (GIVE 2019)

Patterson Park Public Charter School, Inc.

Provides a community-centered learning environment that values diversity and embraces a whole child approach to develop well-educated citizens.

Alex Chiang, SimplyAgree
Amanda Parsley, State Employees Credit Union (SECU)
Jheannelle Laguerre, Exelon Corporation
Stephen Pfaffenhauser, T. Rowe Price
Project Mentor: Colleen Helak (GIVE 2019)

The One Love Foundation

Educates young people about healthy and unhealthy relationships to empower them to identify and avoid abuse and learn how to love better.

Amanda Chong, Gordon Feinblatt LLC
Benjamin Suttman, Under Armour
Derrick Pendleton, Legg Mason
Jamie Nash, Think Stack
Katie Blacketor, Mindgrub Technologies
Project Mentor: Kelly Tallant (GIVE 2018)

Y in Central Maryland

Advances a holistic approach to well-being that strengthens the community’s commitment to healthy living, youth development and social responsibility.

Callie Tucker, Kramon & Graham, PA
Colin Kendall, SC&H Group
Joseph Creamer, Planit Advertising, Inc.
Laura Collins, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C.
Trena Oakley, Sontiq, Inc.
Project Mentor: Krystina Wales (GIVE 2018)

Applying for the 2021 GIVE Fellowship

Are you interested in learning more about the GIVE Fellowship? Would you like to nominate an individual for the 2021 class? Complete this interest form. Applications for the 2021 GIVE Fellowship will open in December.

About the GIVE Fellowship

GIVE is a multi-month fellowship offered through Business Volunteers Maryland that prepares rising leaders in Baltimore for civic engagement and community leadership. Over 125 companies in Baltimore have committed to community engagement through sponsoring GIVE fellows. To learn more, visit the GIVE program page.

About Business Volunteers Maryland

Business Volunteers Maryland works with regional employers to build strategic connections between businesses, professionals and the nonprofit community. Business Volunteers consults with businesses, trains and places business professionals on nonprofit boards; develops civic leaders; manages and matches teams with meaningful skilled and direct service volunteer opportunities; creates partnerships between companies and the community, and much more.

VOLUNTEERING: Good for the community, good for your health

November 3, 2020 by BVMD Staff

In April 2020, Business Volunteers Maryland President and CEO Julie Kernan reflected on how the COVID-19 pandemic upended our lives- personally and professionally.

“I am optimistic the way we are living today is not our new “normal,” and whatever our new normal is, I believe we will be gentler with ourselves and our neighbor,” she wrote. “The silver lining to the COVID storm cloud is the development of a greater commitment to caring for others through volunteering and community engagement.”

Our team has been continuously inspired by the way our business and nonprofit partners have pivoted programs and volunteer opportunities to keep constituents safe. Volunteers tremendously help nonprofits, but also, volunteering makes a huge impact on those individuals that donate their time.

One study by United Healthcare found that 78% of American adults who volunteer said that it has made them feel less stressed, which left them with lower stress levels and better mood than adults who don’t volunteer. It is undeniable that coming together around a positive cause and giving back improves mood and decreases stress. Now, more than ever, our communities are yearning for opportunities to connect with individuals and community.

Important ways to get involved this holiday season: consider donating to Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program! The Salvation Army Angel Tree program helps provide Christmas gifts for hundreds of thousands of children around the country each year. You can donate gifts through their Amazon wish list.

Or if you’d rather volunteer your time in person, consider signing up to help sort through all their presents in their warehouse (LINK ).

For our business partners, Business Volunteers is thrilled to announce the dates of our annual Elf Week with the Salvation Army, December 7-11, 2020. We recruit hundreds of volunteers to be part of “Elf Week” and come together to be a part of it all. It is our most fun and festive event of the year!

2019 Elf Week at Salvation Army with partners, BGE.

BVM has been running this program for 16 years, and every year looks a little bit different. We are so excited that we have been able to figure out a way to still make an impact this year on so many lives in our community, while remaining safe in the pandemic.

Your business teams are missing interaction with each other. This is a perfect way to gather them AND give back to the community.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities and how to get involved in Elf Week, contact Melissa Hersh, [email protected].

Baltimore Business Journal recognizes community efforts

August 3, 2020 by Tracy O’Connor

You’ve heard of six degrees of separation, right? The 2020 Baltimore Business Journal Better Baltimore Awards is a Who’s Who of our friends and partners. While we were not directly recognized, we are so proud that nine of our business and nonprofit partners made the list for “making Baltimore better.”

Business Volunteers envisions a future in which all individuals and businesses in Baltimore are engaged and investing in building strong and thriving communities. By working with over 50 businesses to make their community engagement more strategic and impactful, we act as a connector to build the capacity and fill mission critical needs in over 150 unique Regional nonprofits each year.

SC&H Group, a long-term partner and “consumer” of Business Volunteers’ services, was recognized in the small/medium company category. The article mentions that last year, 192 SC&H employees volunteered at eight different organizations, resulting in 768 volunteer hours in one day. That day was facilitated and supported by Business Volunteers Maryland.

Ron Causey welcomes guests to the 2019 Business Volunteers Business Impact Summit.

“SC&H has used Business Volunteers Maryland to direct its efforts and connect the company with nonprofits in need of its employees’ skills,” Ron Causey, SC&H CEO, and board chair for Business Volunteers Maryland noted. In addition to SC&H, Aerotek, BGE, M&T Bank, T. Rowe Price, and Venable were all recognized for their contributions to the community. Representatives from each of these organizations currently hold a position on our board of directors and many also have at least one representative in the 2020 GIVE Class (GIVE is a fellowship program for emerging community leaders, programmed and hosted by BVM).

BGE and Business Volunteers recently collaborated with Code in the Schools to deliver a virtual Team Volunteer Project for 100 high school and college interns. Participants assembled 2,500 Squishy Circuit kits that will be distributed to elementary school students by Baltimore City Recreation and Parks. Squishy Circuits are circuits made from play dough, modeling clay, LED lights, a battery, and connection wire encouraging skills helpful in STEM classes and professions.

The connections do not stop with the corporate award winners. Many of our nonprofit partners were also recognized for their contributions to the community, including the Maryland Food Bank, Moveable Feast, and Volunteering Untapped. It is an honor to be affiliated to organizations making such an impact in the communities where we work and live.

Congratulations to all the organizations recognized in this year’s list. We are thrilled to be a partner with you and grateful for your efforts of doing good. better. in the community.

If your organization is looking to be more strategic with your community engagement initiatives, contact Business Volunteers today.