Business Volunteers Maryland

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boardCONNECT Virtual Candidate Guide

CLICK HERE to register for boardCONNECT!

Wednesday, April 22, 9:00am-12:00pm Eastern Time

Interview scheduling will begin promptly at 9:00am

Location: Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89354769305?from=addon)

CANDIDATE GUIDE

This is your one-stop resource to guide you through Business Volunteers’ boardCONNECT experience. You will learn how to prepare for the event, navigate the event itself, and ultimately find a match in your board service journey. Please read everything carefully and scroll down.

REGISTER FOR THE EVENT

If you haven’t already, click here to complete your board candidate registration. Failure to complete this step may result in you being turned away from the event!

Once you have submitted your boardCONNECT registration form and received the email confirmation, you can proceed by reviewing the rest of this page.

REQUIRED STEPS BEFORE THE EVENT

  1. Review event information
  2. Review participating nonprofits
  3. Submit your ranking form
  4. Prepare for the event

REQUIRED STEPS DURING THE EVENT

  1. Review your schedule
  2. Complete the Mutual Match Form

Questions? Check the FAQs section or email boardleadership@businessvolunteersmd.org!

BEFORE THE EVENT

REVIEW EVENT INFORMATION

boardCONNECT brings together community-minded professionals seeking to join nonprofit boards with a diverse range of nonprofit organizations seeking board members. In this round robin-styled event, professionals and nonprofits engage in brief conversations, rotating throughout the event. The goal is to find matches in which a nonprofit and a professional express mutual interest and want to continue the conversation. 

Important Notes

  • Nonprofits in attendance will cover a variety of missions and focus areas. Nonprofits will be listed below once they have been selected!
  • At the beginning of the event, you (the candidate) will schedule interviews with the nonprofits that resonate with you most. You may schedule a maximum of eight interviews (Note that you will NOT be able to meet with them all).
  • A “mutual match” from this event occurs when both you and a nonprofit you met with say “YES” to continuing your conversation after the event.
  • The only commitment required from you and any nonprofit you are “mutually matched” with is that you have an additional meeting to continue exploring the opportunity. Further conversations will determine if you are ultimately elected onto the nonprofit’s board.
  • Each nonprofit has their own interview process and procedures, which can take various forms and periods of time.
  • There are no guarantees you will be successfully matched with an organization or ultimately receive a formal board position.

PARTICIPATING NONPROFITS

The following nonprofits have been accepted to participate in this event. Please click on each tile to learn more about them!

Don't see the embed? Click here for a popout!

SUBMIT YOUR RANKING FORM

We will guarantee you up to three (3) interviews with nonprofits; however, which nonprofits you speak with is determined on a first-come, first-served basis.

To ensure you speak with the nonprofits that resonate with you most, please complete the Ranking Form below as soon as possible. Business Volunteers will take Ranking Form submissions in the order they were received and pre-schedule candidates for up to three (3) interviews. When you arrive at the event day-of, you will be given the option to schedule for up to five (5) more interviews, pending nonprofit availability.

Please note that it benefits you to rank as many of the nonprofits as you are willing to speak with (we recommend ranking all of them!). If you submit a Ranking Form with only three nonprofits listed, and one of those nonprofits is already fully booked with other interviews, we will only book you for two interviews.

If you have any questions about this ranking/scheduling process, please contact our team at boardleadership@businessvolunteersmd.org.

Don't see the embed? Click here for a popout!

PREPARE FOR THE EVENT

When: Wednesday, April 22, 9:00am-12:00pm (Scheduling begins promptly at 9:00am!)
Where: Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89354769305?from=addon)

Event Run of Show

Don't see the embed? Click here for a popout!

How to Prepare for the Event

Business Volunteers recommends taking the following steps to prepare:
 
  1. Review the nonprofits and submit your ranking form well before the event. This will help ensure you get to speak with the nonprofits that resonate with you most!
  2. Plan to arrive ON TIME OR EARLY so you can complete your interview schedule.
  3. Have THIS GUIDE open when you arrive. You will need the guide materials to navigate the event successfully!
  4. Be professionally dressed.
  5. Have a pen and paper ready to take notes. You will want to keep track of which nonprofits resonate with you most.
  6. HAVE FUN! Enjoy meeting incredible nonprofit leaders in this engaging event. Thank you for participating!

Email boardleadership@businessvolunteersmd.org if you have questions.

DURING THE EVENT

REVIEW YOUR SCHEDULE

Interviews with nonprofits will be scheduled VIRTUALLY ON APRIL 22, 9:00AM ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE BASIS. Upon your arrival in the Zoom room, you will complete brief form to mark your place in line. Then you will enter a breakout room with one of Business Volunteers’ staff members, who will schedule you according to availability and your completed ranking form.

Please remember that you must submit a ranking form BEFORE you are scheduled, and that scheduling is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you have a few nonprofits you especially want to speak to, you should submit your ranking form well in advance AND arrive at or before 9:00am to secure your place in the registration line.

Prior to the event, you will be booked for up to three (3) interviews. Once you sign into the Zoom room, you may book up to five (5) additional interviews, pending availability.

When your ranking form has been processed by Business Volunteers’ staff, your interview schedule will populate in the cards below (Pro tip: refresh your browser if you don’t see anything!) Scroll to find your name and click on your card to view your schedule. You may also use the “Filter” function in the top left corner to find your card more easily.

Don't see the schedules? Click here for a popout!

Interviews last 10 minutes each. If you have a large gap between some of your interviews, you may choose to leave the room (or your computer) for a break. However, you MUST be back in your seat in time for your next interview! The event will not wait for you if you do not return on time.

COMPLETE THE MUTUAL MATCH FORM

Don't see the form? Click here for a popout!
DO NOT COMPLETE THIS FORM UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED ALL YOUR CONVERSATIONS AT THE EVENT.
 
  1. Review the conversation schedule in your guide.
  2. Answer the following question for each round: Are you interested in continuing a conversation with the nonprofit?
  3. It is CRITICAL that your decision is aligned to the correct ROUND. Please look at your schedule above and double check your choices and rounds before submitting.
  4. Make sure to hit SUBMIT at the bottom!

Business Volunteers will review the responses of nonprofits and candidates and share your mutual matches within one week.

FAQs

We should have nonprofits identified and announced at least two weeks before the event. We know you’ll be excited to know which nonprofits are in attendance, so we’ll be sure to notify you as soon as we have more information!

Make sure you have registered for the event, submitted your Ranking Form, AND reviewed all the information under REQUIRED STEPS BEFORE THE EVENT. 

Unless there is an emergency (ie, illness), none of the participating nonprofits already listed will change. However, if enough board candidates register for the event, we will admit more nonprofits from our waitlist and update the Participating Nonprofits section accordingly. We will also notify you via email should this occur. 

Yes, please! Submit your Ranking Form before the event if at all possible. You will not be able to schedule your interviews until your ranking form is submitted.

Yes, that’s okay! However, when you submit your Ranking Form, please still list as many nonprofits as you are willing to speak with. There are always some very popular nonprofits whose interview slots fill up quickly, so we encourage you to remain open-minded and be willing to interview with others. Also, some of our board matches come from the unexpected conversations when a board candidate speaks with a nonprofit they didn’t feel initially interested in!

If you still have questions, please email boardleadership@businessvolunteersmd.org. Thank you!

Podcasts

South Baltimore Now! Episode with Alissa Ganser

In this episode of South Baltimore Now!, hosts Nate Carper and Kevin Lynch welcome Alissa Ganser, the CEO and president of Business Volunteers Maryland. The discussion covers Business Volunteers Maryland’s history, the significance of its work, and the programs it runs to support nonprofits. Alissa highlights the growing trends in corporate volunteering and offers multiple ways for both businesses and individuals to get involved in long-term, strategic ways.

Listen Here

doing good. better. with Julie Kernan

In this podcast series, Julie Kernan, former President and CEO of Business Volunteers Maryland, sits down with community engagement champions for micro conversations about how they do good. better in the region. In this podcast series, Julie uncovers what drives these leaders to give back through witty stories and reflections. You will get to know some of the most recognized faces in the community on a completely different level in these engaging chats.  

Browse Episodes Here

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

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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.” 

From left to right: Michael A. Schollaert (Baker Donelson), Katie Sutton (Business Volunteers Maryland), Odette Belcher (Dayspring Programs), Lonnie Walker (JOY Baltimore), Kirsten Gettys Downs (Homeless Persons Representation Project), Omar Tarabishi (Leftover Love), Alissa Ganser (Business Volunteers Maryland)

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

Event Photos

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Business Volunteers Maryland, with Top Sponsor THB Bagelry & Deli, Launches Competition to Support Local Nonprofits

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Business Volunteers Maryland (BVM), the leading expert for connecting businesses with community engagement in the region, today announced the launch of its 2024 Turtle Tank Nonprofit Storytelling Competition, which will award thousands of dollars to seven local nonprofits. New in 2024, THB Bagelry & Deli joins BVM with a united objective to support Baltimore charities and the good they do in the community.

Turtle Tank was founded in 2022 by storytelling expert Tom Mayer as a culmination of Business Volunteers’ flagship GIVE Fellowship. The GIVE Fellowship is a prestigious program that annually provides 40 Baltimore-area professionals (i.e. Fellows) dedicated to community leadership with hands-on experience working with local nonprofits to complete a long-term pro-bono consulting project. The Fellowship enhances participants’ civic leadership skills and allows them to develop a network of other professionals, including more than 600 program Alumni, who are committed to doing good, better.

During Turtle Tank, Fellows compete for prize money to benefit the seven Baltimore-based, grassroots nonprofits they have partnered with on their consulting projects. This exciting competition allows Fellows to showcase their storytelling prowess by creating a video commercial and presentation that highlights the incredible impact their nonprofit partners are making in the Baltimore community.

THB Bagelry & Deli, a family-owned business that has grown to be a flagship Baltimore brand, committed a leading $5,000 sponsorship to fund the competition.

“In THB’s 25-year history, we have partnered with hundreds of Baltimore nonprofits raising funds for education, mental health, and children’s causes among others,” explains Tony Scotto, CEO of THB. “This new partnership with BVM’s GIVE Fellowship program is a perfect match for our brand allowing us to engage more with nonprofits than ever before. It’s really an honor for us at THB to be able to support great nonprofits in our community doing great work.”

The 2024 Turtle Tank competition will take place during the GIVE Graduation ceremony on November 7 at Brown Advisory. Each team will present their commercial and deliver a compelling, shark-tank-like pitch about their projects. The audience, comprised of influential local business and nonprofit leaders, alongside a panel of esteemed judges, will vote on the most compelling stories. Prizes will be awarded to each of the seven nonprofits featured in 2024, including: Baltimore Community Rowing, Waverly Main Street, Cornerstone Community Housing, Lori’s Hands, South Creek Community Development Corporation, Southwest Sports & Fitness Alliance, and The Mental Health Emergency Fund, Inc.

Alissa Ganser, President and CEO of BVM shares, “Turtle Tank is a special opportunity to showcase the incredible nonprofits our GIVE Fellows have worked tirelessly to support in a fun and engaging way, all the while providing small, local nonprofits with critical funding to continue their missions. We are thrilled to have the support of an iconic Baltimore brand, THB Bagelry & Deli, to kick off our third year of Turtle Tank.”

The Turtle Tank competition is named as a nod to the Maryland community, and because turtles represent intuitive development, strength, courage, protection, wisdom, patience, determination, and receptivity, all of which describe BVM’s GIVE Fellows, their nonprofit partners, and our community. Turtle Tank is more than just a competition–it is a community of support to celebrate the amazing work that nonprofits in Baltimore are addressing every day.

For more information about the Turtle Tank event and sponsorship opportunities, please click below.

Learn More
Make a Gift

boardCONNECT Nonprofit Guide (in-person event)

WELCOME TO boardCONNECT!

Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 9:00am-12:00pm

Location: CareFirst (1501 S Clinton St, Baltimore, MD 21224). Parking is available in the outdoor lot across from the building and WILL BE VALIDATED.

NONPROFIT GUIDE

This is your one-stop resource to guide you through Business Volunteers’ boardCONNECT experience. You will learn how to prepare for the event, navigate the event itself, and ultimately find a match. Please read everything carefully and scroll down.

REQUIRED STEPS BEFORE THE EVENT

  1. Review event information
  2. Prepare for the event

REQUIRED STEPS DURING THE EVENT

  1. Event schedule
  2. Learn about candidates
  3. Complete the Mutual Match Form

Questions? Email boardleadership@businessvolunteersmd.org!

REVIEW EVENT INFORMATION

boardCONNECT brings together community-minded professionals seeking to join nonprofit boards with a diverse range of nonprofit organizations seeking board members. In this “round robin” coordinated event, professionals and nonprofits engage in brief conversations, rotating throughout the event. The goal is to find matches in which a nonprofit and a professional express mutual interest and want to continue the conversation. Each boardCONNECT event results in dozens of successful matches and new board members.

Important Notes

  • A “mutual match” from this event occurs when both you and a board candidate you meet with say “YES” to continuing your conversation after the event.
  • The only commitment required from you (the nonprofit) and any candidate you are “mutually matched” with, is that you have an additional meeting to continue exploring the opportunity. Further conversations will determine which candidate(s) you ultimately extend a board seat to.
  • We understand each nonprofit has their own interview process and procedures to board election. You are allowed to follow whatever your typical election process is.
  • Please be advised that you should only ELECT one board member per company. You are allowed to interview and mutually match with several employees from the same company, but ultimately, you should only elect one to sit on your board. If you leave the event with five mutual matches from CareFirst employees, for example, you must make it clear to both your board and the candidates that only one of them will be selected.
  • There are no guarantees you will be successfully matched with a candidate.

PREPARE FOR THE EVENT

When: Tuesday, March 18, 9:00am-12:00pm Eastern Time
Where: CareFirst (1501 S Clinton St, Baltimore MD)

Parking and Check-in Information

CareFirst has a secured building, so please budget extra time to park and enter the building, regardless of when you plan to arrive for scheduling.
 
  • All nonprofit representatives must arrive promptly at 9:00am to check in and set up.
  • Park in the surface lot across the street from the building on S. Clinton St. All other entrances into the building will be locked.
  • Take a ticket to enter the lot and bring the ticket with you to the front desk. Parking is free and will be validated at the security desk upon your departure.
  • Once in the building, you will see Suite 100, the CareFirst Community Engagement Center, to your right. Please enter the suite to check in and be escorted to the proper room.
  • Have a government-issued form of ID out and ready for check-in!

Event Run of Show

If you cannot view the embedded information, please click here for a direct link.

Setting Up Your Table

From 9:00am to 9:30am, you are expected to set up your assigned interview table as you see fit. Items you may consider bringing include:
 
  • Tablecloth
  • Signs
  • Flags or large A-frames
  • Business cards, brochures, and other promotional materials

A tablecloth and basic sign will be provided for all organizations, should you not want to bring your own. Regardless of what you bring, you MUST complete set-up of your table by 9:30am!

How to Prepare for the Event

Business Volunteers recommends taking the following steps to prepare:
 
  1. Plan to arrive ON TIME OR EARLY.
  2. Be professionally dressed.
  3. Bring a government-issued form of ID for check-in.
  4. Each nonprofit must bring at least ONE fully charged laptop. You will need one in order to complete the event!
  5. Have a pen and paper ready to take notes. You will want to keep track of which board candidates resonate with you the most.
  6. Suggested- Bring any “gear” that might help candidates get a better understanding of your organization’s identity and brand—see above for suggestions.
  7. HAVE FUN! Enjoy meeting incredible board candidates in this engaging event. Thank you for participating!

Email boardleadership@businessvolunteersmd.org if you have questions.

EVENT SCHEDULE

Starting at 9:00am on March 18, candidates will create their schedules based on their interest in meeting with you. Candidates have been given access to all the promotional materials you provided and your board profile submitted to Business Volunteers. The table below shows the current, live-updating schedule.

Candidates have been encouraged to reschedule as they see fit, SO THIS SCHEDULE WILL REGULARLY CHANGE. Please use your laptop during the event to check here for your most up-to-date schedule.

Make sure to scroll to the right to see the full event schedule, OR click the expand icon on the bottom right to get a bigger view. NOTE THERE ARE EIGHT (8) INTERVIEW ROUNDS!

If you cannot view the embedded information, please click here for a direct link.

LEARN ABOUT CANDIDATES

Click on each card to see each candidate’s title, employer, and LinkedIn profile OR resume. Feel free to download and print resumes to have in front of you during your conversations. Make sure to scroll to see all candidates -or- click the expand icon on the bottom right to a bigger view.
 
We apologize for the inconvenience, but you CANNOT request interviews from specific individuals on this list. This resource is mostly made available to you so you can understand whom you’re speaking with after your schedule has been confirmed.

If you cannot view the embedded information, please click here for a direct link.

COMPLETE THE MUTUAL MATCH FORM

DO NOT COMPLETE THIS FORM UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED ALL YOUR CONVERSATIONS.
 
  1. Review the conversation schedule in your guide.
  2. Answer the following question for each round: Are you interested in continuing a conversation with the candidate?
  3. It is CRITICAL that your decision is aligned to the correct ROUND. Please look at your schedule above and double check your choices and rounds before submitting.
  4. Make sure to hit SUBMIT at the bottom!

Business Volunteers will review the responses of nonprofits and candidates and share your mutual matches in 1-2 weeks.

If you cannot see the embedded form, please click here for a direct link.

DID YOU SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN AND HIT SUBMIT?
 
Email boardleadership@businessvolunteersmd.org if you have questions.

Doing Good Better Guide

The Doing Good Better Study brought together hundreds of corporate social responsibility (CSR) experts and nonprofit stakeholders, focusing on both the business benefits to community engagement as well what works and what doesn’t in the intersection of corporate and nonprofit sector relationships. The Doing Good Better Summit convened nearly 100 regional experts in CSR to process and unpack the study’s results, reflect on its powerful findings, and create actionable ideas and best practices for CSR professionals worldwide to elevate their practice and do good better. 

The culmination of these is Business Volunteers’ premier Doing Good Better Guide.

The Doing Good Better Guide

The Guide contains:

  • Results of the Doing Good Better Study, complete with powerful statistics, relevant infographics, and dozens of themed quotes from focus group participants to view our findings first-hand.
  • A Best Practice Guide with actionable ideas and tested applications of corporate community engagement. Over 100 CSR leaders share their methods on how to grow your impact and elevate your company’s give back efforts from transactional to transformational.

To download a FREE version of the guide for CSR professionals, complete the form below and you will be redirected to a download link.

Download the Doing Good Better Guide
Complete this form to access our FREE version of the Doing Good Better Guide!

About the Study

Focus Groups

The Business Volunteers Advisory Board convened 36 Baltimore-based nonprofit leaders and 37 Baltimore-based CSR leaders in a series of focus groups to understand opportunities, challenges, and insights on working with the corporate and nonprofit sectors. Nonprofit focus groups were completed in January 2023, while corporate focus groups were completed in January 2024.

Business of Community Engagement Survey

This survey was designed to better understand and tell the story about how  Greater Baltimore businesses and their employees engage in the community and the impact of this work on employers, professionals, and the region. Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance (BNIA) provided their expertise and an exploratory analysis of the survey data. Completed November 2023.

Business Volunteer’s Advisory Board members, staff, and other key stakeholders assisted in collecting, analyzing, and summarizing the information.

About the Summit

On September 25th, 2024, Business Volunteers debuted the Doing Good Better Study results to assist Baltimore businesses in fostering more impactful and meaningful engagements with the city’s nonprofit sector. Unlike traditional events that follow a “listen and learn” format, this gathering was designed to be interactive. Participants collaborated in groups to delve into in-depth discussions, generate ideas, and formulate meaningful actions.

Attendees consisted of Baltimore’s corporate and private sector leadership and those occupying positions directly responsible for overseeing and implementing philanthropy, corporate social responsibility, and/or employee volunteerism initiatives. This was an invitation-only event.

Summit Photos

VIEW ALL PHOTOS HERE
Selected Summit Photos

Thank You to Our Event Sponsors and Attendees

Activate Sponsors
CareFirst Logo
Cirrus Advisors Logo
Constellation Logo
M&T Bank Logo
Prometric Logo
UMBC Center for Leadership & Innovation
Connect Sponsors
Allegis Logo
Baker Donelson Logo
Baltimore Ravens Logo
BGE Logo
Capital Bank Logo
The Cordish Companies
GBC Logo
Himmelrich Logo
SC&H
T. Rowe Price Logo
Venable LLP
Media and Venue Sponsors
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Baltimore Business Journal
Black Oak Visuals
M&T Bank Exchange at Hippodrome logo
Impact Sponsors
Alera Group Logo
CLA
Copper Kitchen
Elavaire Logo
Fulton Bank Logo 1
Goodwill Logo
Gordon Feinblatt
Kennedy Krieger Logo
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skillCONNECT Volunteer Registration (Baker Donelson)

Baker Donelson, in collaboration with Innovation Works and Business Volunteers, is holding holding a Light of Baltimore Incubator skillCONNECT event on Wednesday, February 4, 2:00 to 6:00 pm.

Event Date/Time: Wednesday, February 4, 2:00pm-6:00pm (reception included)

Register to Participate Today!

What is skillCONNECT?

skillCONNECT is a highly structured, interactive pro bono consulting session led by Business Volunteers. Volunteers work in teams with peers to learn about a nonprofit or small business’s struggles, and work together to ideate potential solutions and next steps for the organization. Participating volunteers in this session will include Baker Donelson’s associates and special invited guests.

What can I expect?

As a volunteer consultant, you can expect skillCONNECT to be an engaging event which allows you to meet local organizations, team-build with colleagues, and give back to the community in a high-impact way. Select Light of Baltimore nonprofits and social enterprises will attend and bring a challenge they are facing. You will be assigned to one of the Light of Baltimore organizations with a team of peers to learn more deeply about the organization and brainstorm potential solutions to the challenge. A reception will be held at the conclusion of the event, so participants can further network and share experiences.

skillCONNECT was a great experience that allowed volunteers to help a small nonprofit we had never heard of. It was so nice to collaborate with my professional connections and work on a project together outside of the usual office affairs.

–anonymous Baker Donelson volunteer

How will I be placed on a team?

Business Volunteers will ask you more about your background and skills below. We will then place you on a team we feel you are best suited for. We appreciate you being open to working with any of the amazing Light of Baltimore nonprofits and social enterprises attending this event!

Why should I participate?

skillCONNECT provides a unique opportunity to…

  • Leverage your professional skills and expertise while giving back. Remember, the professional skills you have and use every day are invaluable for our featured Light of Baltimore nonprofits and social enterprises.
  • Learn about your incredible neighbors upstairs, their work, and a behind-the-scenes understanding of the challenges they face.
  • Build and practice leadership skills and professional skills.
  • Spend quality time with fellow members of the Baker Donelson team, as well as clients and lateral prospects.
  • Feel good while giving back—it’s a different, really rewarding way to volunteer!

Nonprofits/Social Enterprises and Their Event Challenges

We are currently hard at work sourcing challenges from the Light of Baltimore nonprofits and social enterprises who will participate in this event. 

After the challenges are sourced, Business Volunteers will create consulting teams. Our main goal is to ensure the Light of Baltimore nonprofits and social enterprises have access to teams with skillsets and backgrounds that are best suited to support them.

By completing the registration below, you agree to work with whichever team you are ultimately assigned to. If you have concerns about team placement once teams are made, you are welcome reach out. Thank you for understanding!

Here are some examples of the types of skillCONNECT challenges you may see:

  • A nonprofit receives a large amount of donations for its clients and has no way to manage, process, and track the inventory coming in.
  • A small business is seeking to move from a temporary location and is looking for a new permanent home, but is struggling to understand how to determine a location that best meets the needs of the organization.
  • An organization is a “hidden secret” in the neighborhood it serves and wants to increase its presence and serve more clients.
  • A small business is about to launch a new program and needs help determining short and long term costs, revenue, and other financial modeling.
  • A nonprofit has historically relied on one funding stream and needs to diversify.
  • An organization needs to create structured Human Resource processes as it plans to leap in size and staffing in the next year.

Volunteer Registration

Don't see the form? Click here for a popout!

Deadline to register: January 22, 2026, close of business

The following registration form allows us to capture your contact information, your skills, and background.

Please note that completion of this form confirms your event participation. Once you complete the form and receive your confirmation email, you are officially registered for the event.

MAKE SURE YOU SCROLL TO ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS AND PRESS SUBMIT ON THE EMBEDDED FORM BELOW!

We will circle back with more information, the featured organizations, proposed business challenges, and consulting team assignments.

For skillCONNECT related questions, contact Mira Huang at mhuang@businessvolunteersmd.org. Thank you!

Business Volunteers Maryland Celebrates 20 Years

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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.

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

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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!

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Elf Week, Volunteer Details

Thank you for volunteering! Your organization or company has reserved a space for you to volunteer together with your colleagues. If you have not done so already, please fill out the form below. 

About Elf Week  

Every year, the Salvation Army Angel Tree program collects and distributes toys and clothing to thousands of children during the holidays. This year, more than 3,000 children from 1,000 families have registered for the program in the Baltimore area.

In December, thousands of donations pour into the Salvation Army’s warehouse, where they need to be sorted for each child (or “Angel”) in the program. This is where Business Volunteers Maryland comes in—we recruit hundreds of volunteers to be part of “Elf Week” and come together to be a part of it all. 

By registering for Elf Week, your will be treated to the following:  

  • Heartwarming experience to give back to children in need  
  • An unforgettable opportunity to bring your team together  
  • Instagram-worthy moments  
  • Elf hats 
  • Team photos  
  • Planning and project management from an experienced staff. We handle all the details so you can have a fun-filled experience!
  • The option to volunteer with your family! Children may attend, but each child under age 14 must volunteer alongside an adult.

If you have questions prior to the event, please reach out the point of contact at your organization or contact Danyette Young, dyoung@businessvolunteersmd.org.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO  

Individual Participants  
Please send this link (https://businessvolunteersmd.org/elf-week-volunteer-details/) to individuals on your team who will be participating in Elf Week. This will help us keep a running list and count who will be at each shift.  

Parking & Entrance

The Salvation Army Offices are located at 400 E 29th St, Baltimore, MD 21218. This warehouse location has parking in a gated lot (the gate will be open). Plenty of street parking is also available. After parking, please enter the warehouse through the gate. There will be signs directing you.   

Arrival Time  

Please arrive with your group at least 15 minutes prior to the start of your volunteer shift. This will allow us adequate time to go through our safety protocols and get your group started in a timely manner.  

Encouraged Dress  

Dress festive for the holiday season with your most colorful holiday gear! (festive hats and head gear provided). The warehouse is heated but please dress in layers to better control your personal comfort. Wear closed toed shoes. There will not be a secured area to store handbags or purses. We encourage volunteers to wear fanny packs, snap sacks, or keep personal items in their pockets. 

Restaurants and Bars around the Warehouse

Many afternoon groups head over to the adjacent Peabody Heights Brewery for happy hour after their volunteer shift! Morning groups can take advantage of the many restaurants in the Charles Village and Waverly areas. 

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