Maryland is home to more than 38,000 registered nonprofits — from world-renowned hospitals to neighborhood food pantries. Whether you're looking to donate, volunteer, or find assistance, this guide covers the most impactful charities in Maryland, independently reviewed and organized by cause area.
The organizations below represent a cross-section of Maryland's nonprofit sector — selected for size, transparency, community impact, and ease of public engagement. Each one is a verified 501(c)(3) that accepts donations and volunteers.
Maryland's primary hunger-relief organization, distributing over 48 million meals annually through a network of 1,100+ food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters across all 23 counties and Baltimore City. Founded in 1979, the Maryland Food Bank partners with local grocers, farms, and manufacturers to recover surplus food and redirect it to those in need. In a typical year, over 700,000 Marylanders experience food insecurity — the Food Bank is the backbone of the state's emergency food system.
How to help: Volunteer at their Baltimore warehouse (sorting, packing), organize a food drive, or donate online. Corporate matching programs are available. Monetary donations go further than canned goods — $1 provides 4 meals.
Maryland's largest private human services provider, operating more than 80 programs that serve over 160,000 people each year. Programs span emergency food and shelter (Our Daily Bread dining center), addiction recovery, senior independent living, family counseling, immigration services, and refugee resettlement. Catholic Charities serves people of all faiths and backgrounds. Founded in the 1920s as part of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, it is one of the oldest and most comprehensive social service agencies in the state.
How to help: One-time or recurring donations fund specific programs. Volunteer opportunities include the Our Daily Bread dining room, holiday drives, and administrative support. Estate gifts and matching employer donations accepted.
Founded in 1869, the Maryland SPCA is one of the oldest animal welfare organizations in the United States and operates independently of any national SPCA affiliate. Located at 3300 Falls Road, Baltimore, the MD SPCA provides pet adoptions, low-cost spay/neuter services (6,000+ surgeries in 2024), a veterinary wellness clinic open to the public, behavioral training classes, and a Kibble Connection food pantry for pet owners facing financial hardship. In 2024, they adopted out 3,119 animals during a single campaign month.
How to help: Adopt (Mon–Fri 1–7pm, Sat 12–5pm), donate directly at mdspca.org, foster a pet, or volunteer as a Dog Deputy or Cat Concierge (must commit to 4 shifts/month for 6 months, ages 16+).
For over 90 years, the United Way of Central Maryland has connected donors with high-impact community programs. In a typical year, it invests more than $20 million in local programs and helps 200,000+ individuals access critical services. Focus areas include early childhood education (preschool access and reading readiness), financial coaching and job training, and access to healthcare. The United Way also operates the 211 Maryland helpline — a free 24/7 resource connecting residents to local services.
How to help: Donate through workplace payroll giving or online. Employer matching programs available. Volunteer for the annual Day of Caring, tax preparation assistance (VITA), or board service.
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake builds, rehabilitates, and repairs homes in partnership with low-income families across Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Families earn their homes through sweat equity — contributing hundreds of hours building alongside volunteers. Habitat also operates ReStore donation centers and thrift stores, whose proceeds fund building projects. Since 1983, the organization has served thousands of families in one of the most housing-stressed metros on the East Coast.
How to help: Volunteer on a build site (no experience required, groups welcome), donate materials or funds online, or shop at a ReStore location. Home repair programs also available for elderly and disabled homeowners.
BARCS is Baltimore City's official open-admission municipal shelter — no animal or family in need is ever turned away. Taking in approximately 1,000 animals each month, BARCS is the largest animal shelter in Maryland. It provides adoption, medical care, behavior rehabilitation, and humane education programs. BARCS is a private nonprofit that contracts with Baltimore City, relying on donations and adoption fees to fund its lifesaving work. The organization maintains one of the highest save rates among large open-admission shelters in the country.
How to help: Adopt from 2490 Giles Road (weekdays 10:30am–6pm, weekends 8am–4pm), foster an animal, volunteer, donate via barcs.org, or purchase a BARCS custom license plate ($80, $50 goes directly to the shelter).
Special Olympics Maryland provides year-round sports training and athletic competitions for more than 24,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities across all 24 Maryland jurisdictions. Beyond sports, Special Olympics Maryland runs Unified Schools programs (bringing students with and without disabilities together), health screening initiatives (eyes, ears, dental care), and leadership development for athletes. The organization operates with the belief that sports transform lives and build more inclusive communities.
How to help: Donate online, volunteer as a coach or event assistant (training provided), sign up for the Polar Bear Plunge fundraiser, or host a community event. Corporate sponsorships available.
The Red Cross's National Capital and Greater Chesapeake Region serves Maryland, Washington DC, and parts of Virginia. Core services include responding to home fires and other disasters (the region responds to a home fire every 8 hours on average), collecting approximately 40% of the nation's blood supply, and providing emergency communications for military families. The Red Cross also offers CPR/first aid training courses to the public and workplaces throughout the region.
How to help: Donate blood at a local blood drive, give online at redcross.org, train as a disaster volunteer, or take a CPR/AED class. The Red Cross deploys immediately after house fires and natural disasters at no cost to those affected.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is the largest independent conservation organization dedicated exclusively to saving the Chesapeake Bay. Through policy advocacy, environmental education, restoration work, and legal action, CBF fights against pollution, habitat loss, and climate change impacts on the Bay watershed — a system covering 64,000 square miles across six states. CBF also runs the Philip Merrill Environmental Center in Annapolis, the world's first LEED Platinum building, and offers environmental education programs for students across the region.
How to help: Become a member ($25/year), volunteer for oyster reef restoration, plant native trees on your property, or join a cleanup event. CBF also trains teachers and accepts legacy gifts.
BBBS of the National Capital Area has been matching youth facing adversity with adult volunteer mentors since 1966. The organization serves the Washington DC metro region including Prince George's County, Montgomery County, and other Maryland jurisdictions. Research consistently shows that youth matched with a Big have higher graduation rates, greater career confidence, and lower rates of delinquency. Programs include community-based mentoring (meet 2–4 hours/month), school-based mentoring, and workplace mentoring.
How to help: Become a Big (volunteer mentor — must be 18+, pass background check, commit to 1 year minimum), donate online, or enroll a young person. Corporate team mentoring programs also available.
Not sure what cause to support? Here's a quick breakdown of Maryland's strongest nonprofit sectors with notable organizations in each area.
Maryland Food Bank, Manna Food Center, Anne Arundel County Food Bank, Our Daily Bread (Catholic Charities). Combined, these organizations serve 700,000+ food-insecure Marylanders.
Maryland SPCA (Baltimore), BARCS (Baltimore City open admission), Humane Society of Washington County, SPCA of Anne Arundel County. Maryland has strong spay/neuter infrastructure.
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, Health Care for the Homeless, St. Vincent de Paul Maryland, Weinberg Housing and Resource Center. Baltimore has an estimated 2,800+ unhoused residents on any given night.
Big Brothers Big Sisters, Teach For America Maryland, Bea Gaddy Family Centers, KIPP Baltimore schools. Maryland ranks among the top states nationally for public education funding per pupil.
American Red Cross (blood), Casey Cares Foundation (seriously ill children), American Cancer Society Maryland, National MS Society Chesapeake Chapter. Johns Hopkins Medicine anchors the state's health research ecosystem.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage, Maryland Conservation Council, Potomac Conservancy. The Chesapeake Bay watershed spans 64,000 square miles and is the largest estuary in North America.
With over 38,000 registered nonprofits in Maryland, not every organization operates with the same level of transparency or efficiency. Before making a significant donation, consider these steps:
| Resource | What It Shows | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland SoS Registry | Registration status, financial reports | Confirming a charity is legally registered in MD |
| Charity Navigator | Financial health, accountability, impact scores | Comparing large nonprofits (ratings 0–4 stars) |
| GuideStar / Candid | Form 990 filings, executive compensation | Deep financial review of any 501(c)(3) |
| IRS Tax Exempt Search | Official 501(c)(3) status | Confirming tax-deductible status before donating |
| GreatNonprofits | Community reviews from volunteers/donors | First-person experiences and on-the-ground feedback |
A well-run charity typically spends at least 75% of its budget on programs (not overhead), files its Form 990 publicly, lists its board members and leadership on its website, and provides clear impact metrics. If a charity refuses to share its financials or pressures you into immediate giving, that is a warning sign.
Browse detailed profiles for the major charities covered on LargestCharities.com — each with mission details, contact information, donation links, and volunteer requirements.
Information on this page was last updated May 2026. EINs and statistics sourced from IRS.gov and ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. We do not receive compensation for featuring any organization listed here. Contact us at [email protected] to report an inaccuracy.