Check out two critical funds that support our community work:

Dear Friends -

March 4th is Giving Day at the University of Maryland, and this year, donors have two ways to support NCSG’s community engaged work: the Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS) Program and NCSG’s broader community serving work through NCSG Studio. 

The PALS Program connects classrooms to communities across the state. The program exemplifies community-driven innovation through a campus-wide initiative that leverages faculty expertise and student creativity to provide practical solutions for challenges facing Maryland communities. Established in 2013, PALS delivers high-quality, cost-effective assistance to local governments, nonprofits and community-based organizations while creating authentic, real-world learning experiences for UMD graduate and undergraduate students. The program has served more than 70 different counties, cities and community-based organizations on more than 400 projects since inception. Further, almost 2,800 UMD graduate and undergraduate students have engaged in real world problem solving in Maryland communities. 

Donations to the PALS fund will go toward defraying project costs for organizations and communities that cannot afford the full $10,000 fee, allowing us to expand the capacity of organizations across the state and get students connected to new places and projects. 

NCSG Studio was launched in 2024 with the idea that there are often projects that are important to state, local and community partners, but that do not have a funding source identified. These may include time-sensitive or short term projects, new or expanding partnerships, and coursework that advances partnerships. The projects can support community-based initiatives, advocacy, grant applications, legislation, or public events and convenings. Our goal is for NCSG studio is to be able respond to partner-defined questions or issues that can improve and strengthen Maryland communities.

Donations to NCSG studio will allow us to leverage our existing state resources (staff time) for additional student time to support these projects. 

We hope that you will take the time to support our work and our incredible students. Thank you.