Human Services Coalition of Prince George’s County is a Maryland nonprofit that has leveraged federal and local funding (including a 2009 grant from the Stepping Stones Strategic Opportunity and Partnership Fund) to improve the quality of life for people in need in Prince George’s County.

HSC’s primary focus is on capacity-building and advocacy at both the state and local levels.  They accomplish this by maintaining a forum that links human service providers, organizations and individuals.  The group also serves as an information clearinghouse and provides training, workshops, seminars and conferences.

Executive Director Jerry Adams says HSC’s most successful initiative, so far, has been the nonprofit incubator they’ve helped launch.  “It’s had a big impact on nonprofits and individuals,” Jerry says.  “Some nonprofits came into the incubator without a board, without a great deal of civic involvement, referrals or money…. But now, one of them has a million dollar contract with the state and another got $60,000 from banks.”

The incubator helps HSC continue their efforts to “raise the level of performance and sustainability of nonprofit organizations in the county.”  The incubator is being re-launched on February 24, 2010, and 25 nonprofits will be selected to participate.  RFPs are on the HSC website.

HSC also works as an advocate in the difficult-to-navigate worlds of state and county legislation.  After receiving a grant from The Women’s Foundation, they hired a consultant to help craft a public policy initiative that aims to shorten the time it takes for nonprofits to receive award money from the county and influence the county’s budget.  HSC has also waded into the state budget and is working with other groups to suggest new areas of revenue generation to legislators so local nonprofits won’t get cut from the budget.

HSC isn’t just working on behalf of other nonprofits – it’s growing itself!  Jerry says that three years ago, the budget was $55,000.  HSC now operates with a $600,000 budget!  How did they grow so quickly?  According to Jerry, HSC expanded to meet the needs of the county.

“Prince George’s County has pretty significant needs among the nonprofit community,” he said.  “There are a lot of people in need and nonprofits weren’t being as effective as they could be.  The more successful we are, the more nonprofits we can work with.  Nonprofits get people back in the workforce, keep kids out of gangs, and help the business community.  I think the Washington-area funders have really stepped up to the plate and recognized what we can do.”

Jerry’s work at HSC will be recognized in April, when he’ll receive a Bridge Builder Award from the Community Foundation for Prince George’s County.  The Bridge Builder Award is given to individuals who work “under the radar” to make a difference in their communities.