When Business Meets Benevolence: Entrepreneurs and Charity
September 5th is International Day of Charity, a global reminder that generosity and community spirit are at the heart of progress. At Maryland Capital Enterprises, we see this every day in the lives of the entrepreneurs we serve. Our local business owners are more than providers of products and services—they are neighbors who give back, sponsors who step up, and partners who make a difference in countless ways.
This year, the message of charity is especially important. Like many nonprofits across the country, MCE is preparing for significant cuts to federal funding that has long helped sustain our mission. These changes make one truth clearer than ever: the strength of our communities depends on us supporting one another.
Our entrepreneurs understand this well. Many of the small business owners we work with find creative ways to give back, whether by donating services, mentoring young people, sponsoring local events, or simply being there when their community needs them most. Their success becomes everyone’s success, because they reinvest in the place we all call home.
That’s why we invite you to stand with us this fall at the MCE Pohanka Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Banquet on Thursday, November 6, 2025. This annual celebration not only honors outstanding entrepreneurs, but also sustains the very programs that help launch and grow local businesses. By attending, sponsoring a table, or even nominating a deserving business owner, you are making an investment in the future of our region.
Charity, in its truest form, is about building bridges—between vision and opportunity, between business and community, between challenge and triumph. Together, we can ensure that even in the face of funding challenges, our entrepreneurs continue to thrive and inspire.
How to Participate in International Day of Charity
- Donate: Give to a charity that supports a cause you believe in.
- Volunteer: Offer your time and skills to a local shelter, school, or other organization.
- Fundraise: Organize or participate in a fundraiser for a nonprofit organization.
- Spread Awareness: Share stories and information about charitable work on social media or with friends and family.
- Start a Habit of Kindness: Begin a daily practice of doing one good deed for others.
- International Day of Charity – the United Nations.
- Visit https://marylandcapital.org/about/entrepreneur-of-the-year/ to learn more about supporting our local entrepreneurs and the MCE Pohanka Entrepreneur of the Year awards and nominations.