​Pete Kimbis, Attorney and Managing Director of PKC LLC

​Giving Tuesday, now in its fourteenth year, has become a pivotal day for the health of the nonprofit sector. According to GivingTuesday.org, donors showed up in large numbers in 2024, with a reported $3.6 billion given, a 16% increase over 2023. This Giving Tuesday, on December 2, 2025, presents the Bethesda Business Community with a unique opportunity to invest in local stability and community through support of local businesses dedicated to social good.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nonprofit sector employs over 12.8 million people nationwide across more than 300,000 organizations, making up 9.9% of all private-sector jobs. Our geographically adjacent neighbor, Washington, D.C., where many Bethesda residents work, records the highest proportion of nonprofit jobs relative to total employment at 25%.

The sector is essential for a healthy and functioning society, providing vital services in areas such as housing, scientific advancement, food security, protection from violence, economic revitalization, and the preservation of species and habitats.

The nonprofit landscape in 2025 is challenging, marked by economic pressures that are forcing a painful but necessary restructuring across the sector. Unlike the private sector, where profits can be redirected or product lines adapted, nonprofits are governed by volunteer boards and cannot divest earnings to shareholders. They are currently entering an adapt or fail environment that mirrors fierce market competition.

This reality foreshadows mergers and a focused narrowing of services, forcing organizations to specialize in what they do best. For donors, this specialization may be perceived as a long-overdue shift towards increased efficiency and effectiveness.

However, it's essential to note that this shift toward specialization is not driven by consumer demand, but rather a survival mechanism. This evolution is within a sector that employs a large workforce, disproportionately represented by women compared to other industries, and delivers essential government-like functions.

Currently, Montgomery County nonprofits are reporting significant stressors, including a dramatic increase in demand for basic survival services due to the high cost of living, economic instability, and recent disruptions in the federal government. Many local nonprofits are struggling to meet the basic needs of an increasingly financially vulnerable population as they face reductions in government funding and the elimination of key agencies. These organizations often operate similarly to families living paycheck to paycheck.

As our region navigates ongoing economic shifts, supporting nonprofit organizations is not just a charitable act for business owners; it's a strategic investment in the workforce and financial health of Montgomery County.

Support from the local business community is meaningful and necessary. There are several ways for businesses to get involved: through corporate sponsorship, organizing team-building volunteer days, or making direct donations. For example, donations to Nourishing Bethesda, an organization selected by the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce as a community partner, help ensure that the 7,000+ neighbors it serves each month remain food secure and ready to contribute to our shared economy.
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And regardless of political or ideological affiliations, at the core of our community lies a shared desire for similar goals: healthy families, equality, opportunity, and prosperity. Giving Tuesday, on December 2, 2025, is a way to divest from the discord of politics and invest in something we can all agree on: helping those who need a hand or a safe place when they have nowhere else to turn. It feels good and helps ensure vital organizations continue their good work. On a personal note, I have often not appreciated the value of what I've had until it was gone. A gentle reminder that collectively, we have a lot to be thankful for, and that our local non-profits play a significant role in shaping this treasured community.

​Restaurants have been greatly impacted by the state-wide business closures. The Chamber is encouraging everyone to help support our local restaurants – by ordering takeout or purchasing gift cards to use in the future! To provide additional support to these members, the Chamber pulled together a meeting on 3/26 with our local restaurants and Andrew Friedson, County Councilmember for District 1, to provide some clarification on new regulations and create a space for conversation about the current situation.
 
Councilmember Friedson provided an update on the $20 million grant program Montgomery County will be launching. The bill passed on Tuesday and, as an emergency legislation, immediately went into effect. The grant can be applied toward any business operating expenses: payroll, debt, rent, etc. About 98% of businesses in Montgomery County should be eligible for a grant.
 
The county is also launching a program in partnership with Visit Montgomery to provide subsidized hotel rooms for healthcare workers. Hotels can contact Kelly Groff at Visit Montgomery for more information about this program.
 
Councilmember Friedson encouraged anyone with questions to contact his office; they will help direct businesses on accessing other pools of funding at the state and federal level.  **Add his social media [email protected]
 
You can also visit our resource page for helpful inks and community updates.
 
Questions from the call:
If you get one loan/grant, does it affect your ability to qualify or receive another?
No. The county grant program does not limit any other funding or take other funding into account when awarding grants.
 
Is the grant first come first served? Or will certain amounts be earmarked for different industries and businesses?
It will most likely be first come first served. There may be some tiering and bucketing, but this has not been finalized.
 
What is the maximum amount a business can receive from the grant program?
The maximum amount a business can receive from the county’s program is $75,000 depending on demonstrated need and losses. The limit through the state’s $175 million plan is $10K.
 
In other locations, places are buying back unopened alcohol – for example from people that bought preparing for St. Patrick’s Day. Is Montgomery County considering this?
There has been discussion with ABS about buy-backs for unopened liquor.
 
What information can we take back to our furloughed or laid off employees?
Expedited unemployment – furloughed employees qualify for unemployment insurance and the wait periods are gone. There also is a 4 month extension on unemployment insurance.
SafetyNet programs – $5 million appropriation for healthcare needs, food insecurity, housing/homelessness issues and needs
There is a stay on all evictions – commercial and residential - this order is reassessed and extended every 15 days.
 
I’ve been having trouble accessing the Maryland unemployment application…
It seems to be a traffic problem – people have suggested accessing the site between 7pm and 7amm when traffic is lower.
 
My business has been harmed but I don’t have the proof yet; it is going to be a delayed loss. What is the criteria going to be for the grant program?
The Executive branch is working through it, but the county cannot be in the position to pay for prospective losses. Each business applying for a loan/grant will have unique needs and should consider all possible sources of funding. Councilmember Friedson’s office can help businesses navigate access to different programs.