Middleton to Address Rural Roundtable Middleton photo

Senator Thomas "Mac" Middleton, Chairman of the Task Force to Review Physician Shortages in Rural Areas, will be the luncheon speaker at the RMC's Rural Health Roundtable, which will be held October 2 and 3 in Annapolis. He will discuss the work and recommendations of the Task Force, which was created by a bill he introduced in the 2008 General Assembly session. For more information and to register.

Common Cents Conference Open for Registration

September 4th and 5th
DoubleTree Hotel
8120 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda

Register Online

The Common Cents Conference, the first-ever conference to address financial issues across Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia, is an opportunity to learn about the financial problems facing residents and innovative program models to help residents achieve all their financial dreams. The Common Cents Conference will be hosted by free tax preparation and asset building coalitions which conduct critical outreach to insure that low-income families receive the Earned Income Tax Credit, provide free or low-cost tax preparation, and connect families to appropriate financial services and education. These coalitions serve more than 40,000 residents each year. The Rural Maryland Council is one of the organizations sponsoring this event. For more information.

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Cash Director to Help Rural Families Grantees

Robin McKinny

The RMC is pleased to announce that Robin McKinney, Director of the Maryland CASH Campaign, will provide technical assistance and programmatic consultation to the RMC’s Rural Families Direct Service Grant Program this year. Robin will be spearheading the selection process and working directly with grantees to help them conduct the best project they can. The Maryland CASH Campaign, which Robin directs, is a new state-wide network that promotes financial stability for low-income households throughout the state. Robin recently completed the Maryland Asset Building Initiative, a year-long research project connecting and strengthening existing asset building efforts and creating avenues for policy research and advocacy. Robin completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Elizabethtown College and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from University of Maryland, Baltimore.

MAERDAF Grant Recipients Announced for FY 2009

(August 7) -- The Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) has announced 14 grant awards, totaling more than $245,000 in grants for FY 2009. Established in 2000, MAERDAF offers important financial support to rural-serving nonprofit organizations that promote statewide and regional planning, economic and community development, and agricultural and forestry education efforts. The Fund also provides financial assistance to community colleges that support small and agricultural businesses through enhanced training and technical assistance offerings. The Rural Maryland Council administer the grant program; however, receipients are selected by a Grants Review Board comprised of representatives from six state agencies -- the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Department of Housing and Community Development, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Business & Economic Development, and the Rural Maryland Council. The FY 2009 receipients are:

Small Towns Eligible for Planning Funding

Forty-five (45) small towns and rural communities in Maryland are eligible to receive funding to update local comprehensive plans under the new Sustainable Communities Initiative - a collaboration of agencies in the Governor's Smart Growth Sub-Cabinet, which includes the Rural Maryland Council. Communities must apply by September 4, 2008. During FY 2009, the initiative will provide up to $500,000 in assistance, which may be used to revise existing plans or for specific elements of plans that are new or need to be updated. Eligible towns are HUD-designated non-entitlement communities with a low- and moderate-income population of 51% or greater. For more information and application materials, see: http://www.mdhousing.org/Website/home/MSCI.aspx

Smart Growth Listening Sessions Scheduled

The Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Planning, has scheduled six "Listening Sessions" in September. This is an opportunity for local government officials and interested citizens to share thoughts about growth in Maryland, and specifically about development in and around their communities. Ideas shared at these sessions will help shape the Maryland State Development Plan. Dates and locations are as follows:

Grants Available to Reduce Cancer Disparities in MD

(August 1, 2008) The Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure will award more than $1 million in grants to support efforts to reduce breast cancer disparities across Maryland, especially in counties where programs are not currently based. The deadline for applications is November 3, 2008. Komen Maryland has identified three populations as funding priorities.

  1. Uninsured and underinsured women
  2. Foreign born women
  3. Breast cancer survivors who are under 40

Nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, and educational institutions in Maryland (except Prince George's and Montgomery counties) are eligible. For information about grant writing workshops and to obtain the Request for Proposals, visit www.komenmd.org or contact Rebecca McCoy at 410-938-8990.

Read our brochure about the RMC grants available to nonprofit organizations, Helping Rural Maryland Grow and Thrive.

Foundation Votes to Help Rural Families

flower

The Rural Maryland Foundation -- a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – was formed in 2001 to support the efforts of rural leaders who work to improve the quality of life in our smaller communities. At its April meeting, the Board of Trustees voted to undertake a fundraising campaign for the FY 2009 Strengthening the Well Being of Rural Maryland Families Program, which is administered by the Rural Maryland Council and provides grants to non-profit organizations that help vulnerable rural families become economically self-reliant over time. The Foundation's goal is to raise $25,000 by Fall 2008 when the next grant cycle begins.

For the past three years, the Rural Families program has been completely funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Despite the enormous need, no taxpayer dollars have ever been requested or used for the Rural Families program. Now, you can help our grassroots efforts to help rural families help themselves.

For more information, see the Strengthening Rural Maryland Families Fact Sheet or the Rural Maryland Foundation's Fact Sheet.

Special RMC Programs

The Mission of the Rural Maryland Council is to build a bright future for Rural Maryland by helping to address its unique concerns. The RMC works towards achieving effective solutions by bringing together a diverse partnership of federal, state, and local government officials and representatives from the private nonprofit and for-profit sectors to form a strong collective voice dedicated to addressing the critical issues facing Rural Marylanders. The success of the RMC depends on the strength of its Executive Board, membership and Working Committees. Our general membership includes several hundred people -- each of whom brings a unique perspective, background, knowledge, and skill set to the table. Any Maryland citizen is eligible to become a member of the RMC. There is no fee for joining, just fill out an application form, mail or fax it back to us and we'll be in touch. Click here for a Membership Application.

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Rural Maryland Council :: 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway :: Annapolis, MD 21401 :: 410-841-5772