Our Mission

To strengthen, promote and represent nonprofit organizations, empowering them to meet the diverse, changing needs of our communities.

Our Members

Our member organizations touch the lives of countless adults, children and families throughout our region, and in some cases, throughout the nation and the world.

Our members protect our environment, help the homeless, support the arts, feed the hungry, advance education, provide employment assistance, nurture the sick, champion the underserved, and so much more. Their dedication and hard work have a direct, life-changing impact on our communities.

Member Highlight: Scenic America

Founded in 1982 by passionate advocates concerned about the nation’s visual character, Scenic America has grown into the only nonprofit dedicated solely to preserving and enhancing scenic beauty along the nation’s roadways, in its communities, and across the countryside. Rooted in a legacy of activism and collaboration, Scenic America inspires citizen engagement and influences policy at every level — from local codes to federal legislation.

With 40 chapters and affiliates nationwide and more than 100,000 supporters, Scenic America provides research, education, and technical assistance to protect and elevate scenic quality. Its work has led to landmark achievements, including leading the revitalization of the National Scenic Byways Program, defending communities’ rights to ban digital billboards, and securing federal investments in utility undergrounding and landscape beautification.
Guided by the belief that beauty enriches lives and economies alike, Scenic America advocates for vibrant, healthy places where everyone can live, work, and play. The organization stands as a steadfast guardian of America’s scenic heritage — preserving the landscapes that inspire, connect, and sustain the nation.


"Scenic America is proud to be part of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement’s community. The Center brings together organizations working across sectors, creating opportunities to learn, collaborate, and strengthen our individual and collective impact. That kind of connection is essential to advancing mission-driven work like ours."— Mark Falzone, President, Scenic America

Our Team 

Created in 1979, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement is the nation’s first state association for nonprofit organizations. For more than four decades, the Center has continued to grow and advance, thanks to the efforts of a dedicated group:

Board of Directors

Staff

Supporters

Our Impact

The Center’s primary service region includes Washington, DC, Prince George's and Montgomery Counties in Maryland and the state of Virginia. However, the Center welcomes any 501(c)(3) nonprofit that wishes to join.

Identifying, monitoring and sharing new and shifting trends within the nonprofit sector, the Center works collaboratively with local experts to develop custom programs and solutions. Through our training, resources and relationships with the corporate, philanthropic and government community, we help our member nonprofits save more … do more … and succeed more—ultimately achieving a more sustainable future.

The Center serves thousands of nonprofit staff, volunteers and board members, making it easier for nonprofits to fulfill their missions by helping them:

Strengthen capacity through training opportunities —

1,500+ participants a year

Reallocate more funds to programs with operational savings —

10%-50% discounts through group purchasing opportunities

Gain expert insights, market exposure and cash awards through competitions —

$29,000 cash grants awarded each year

Network with nonprofit colleagues, industry experts and leaders in the foundation and government sectors —

Countless invaluable connections

 

Our Values

We believe that...

Nonprofits are an essential ingredient in the health of our communities and our democracy. Strong nonprofits lead to better communities, better quality of life and a better democracy.

Nonprofits are stewards of public trust. Transparency and accountability are the foundation of that trust.

Diversity in all forms — organizations, people, religions, and culture — is part of our vitality. Promoting diversity and practicing inclusiveness makes us stronger.

The vibrancy and effectiveness of nonprofits hinge on information, education, celebration, collaboration, and representation. Nonprofits deserve a strong voice in the affairs that affect them. Together, we shape the future.

Intention, commitment, optimism, and a belief in a better tomorrow are vital ingredients in our growth and development and our service philosophy. Every day we strive to do better, be better, serve better.

Social Impact Vision

Effective nonprofits, thriving communities.