Vivian H. Mills.LA PLATA, Md. (Feb. 19, 2016)—The Charles County Commissioners today announced the hiring of Vivian H. Mills as a consultant who will help establish an independent, nonprofit public charity to administer grant funding to local agencies. Mills, who begins work on Monday, Feb. 22, will devote the next four months to bringing the new organization into operation.
"Charles County has many nonprofits working to make a difference and I am pleased with the steps the county is taking to establish guidelines for funding," said Commissioner President Peter F. Murphy.
"I look forward to working with Ms. Mills and supporting our local agencies through grant funding," said Charles County Administrator Michael D. Mallinoff.
Mills will assist the county in incorporating a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to operate as a public charity independent of Charles County Government. In this role, Mills' responsibilities will include: recommending and implementing an organizational structure; establishing the process by which the organization will award grants for the Fiscal 2017 Budget; recruiting founding members for the Board of Directors; and filing required documents. In addition to serving as interim executive director, Mills will work with county administration to develop the executive director job description.
Mills said, "I am pleased and honored to accept this exceptional opportunity to help strengthen the county's nonprofit sector. Charles County is fortunate in having a diverse array of nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life throughout the community. I look forward to working with them, the county administration, and many others to ensure the success of this important initiative."
A leader in the nonprofit field for more than 40 years, Mills has extensive experience as a nonprofit volunteer and leader, including serving as the executive director for three national organizations. In the early 1990s, she established VHM Nonprofit Solutions, an independent nonprofit consulting firm providing a wide range of services to nonprofit organizations in Maryland and other states. More recently, she served on the staff of the Nonprofit Institute at the College of Southern Maryland. A longtime Charles County resident, Mills is a veteran nonprofit workshop presenter, a member of Maryland Nonprofits, and won recognition as a Certified Fund Raising Executive.
In January, the Commissioners discussed the grants administration process and the need to establish a nonprofit public charity to replace the existing Commissioner-appointed Grants Advisory Panel. On Feb. 9, 2016, the Commissioners voted unanimously to dissolve the Grants Advisory Panel and move forward in a new direction.
Existing and prospective grant participants will be informed of anticipated dates for submitting applications (June 1-June 30, 2016).