As the holiday season kicks off, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is steering the community towards a path of local charity through the "Montgomery Gives Local" campaign, taking a stand to support the numerous nonprofit organizations within the county that are facing an uptick in demand for their services. In light of recent federal decisions resulting in funding cuts, Elrich's push for local giving is a timely call to action to aid those nonprofits struggling to serve the community.
In an effort to mitigate the impact of terminated contracts and grants that have left local nonprofits and businesses in a funding lurch, Elrich emphasized the harsh reality of this fiscal downturn. "Federal decisions have severely impacted our nonprofits," he said, adding that, "According to DOGE data from January to July 2025, at least 473 contracts and grants to our local nonprofits and businesses have been terminated and we are bracing for deeper funding cuts and greater barriers to accessing housing, health care, and food," in a statement captured by Montgomery County's official press release. This predicament has led to an increase in demand for nonprofit services just as available resources dwindle.
County Executive Elrich voices the necessity for community support, highlighting the unique role that nonprofits play, "Our nonprofits reach people in need quickly, often more nimbly than government can," he underscored the interconnectedness of these organizations with the fabric of Montgomery County’s wellbeing. Elrich prompted the locale to contribute to the campaign in an effort to weave a stronger communal safety net; a network that hinges on the participation of every resident to uphold the values of mutual aid and support.
Understanding that ends may be difficult to meet and acknowledging the community’s long-standing commitment to generosity, Elrich entreats his constituency, emphasizing the campaign's importance, "They are our safety net, but they can't do it alone," he remarked, driving home the point that support needs to be a local initiative, especially in times when external resources are receding, "I encourage everyone to give locally this holiday season and throughout the new year," he called upon residents to sustain the county's network of assistance and charity, according to the same press release. As 2025 comes to a close, the Montgomery Gives Local campaign encapsulates the spirit of giving and solidarity, serving as a beacon for residents to rally around community-based organizations that are the lifeline for many in Montgomery County.
