United Way starts $1M emergency fund
The United Way of Central Maryland seeks to raise at least $1 million for an Emergency Response Fund to support local front-line nonprofits providing basic needs services to area residents, the organization announced Thursday.
The fund comes in addition to the United Way’s annual campaign, and administrative costs will be covered by the United Way, allowing every dollar contributed to go to another nonprofit.
A committee assembled by the United Way will decide how to allocate the funds, focused on front-line aid organizations in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard counties.
“We see a crisis at hand,” said United Way of Central Maryland Chief Operating Officer Mark Furst. “This won’t even come close to solving the needs, but it’ll put a dent in it for sure. We can’t do everything, but we can put it in the hands of organizations that are effective at combating the needs.”
State announces five foreign trade offices
Gov. Martin O’Malley on Thursday announced the opening of five new foreign trade offices that will double the state’s international presence and are intended to drive investment in Maryland.
The offices will be located in Japan, Canada, South Africa, Brazil and the western Balkans, operate on a contingency basis, and be funded based on their ability to attract business to the state.
“We will not only be able to attract new foreign companies and jobs to the state and provide our local companies with new avenues for marketing and trade, but also give Maryland an even greater global presence to help us weather these challenging economic times,” O’Malley said in a statement.
— Compiled by Aaron Cahall
