Support Equality Maryland

Equality Maryland is Maryland's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, fighting throughout the state to win equal rights. We are a voice for the LGBT community in Annapolis, in the media, and across the entire State.

Your support of Equality Maryland allows us to advocate on behalf of the LGBT community.

Become a member or renew your membership

When you join or renew your membership with Equality Maryland, you are investing in a better future for all LGBT Marylanders. Consider becoming a monthly sustainer.

To make a safe & secure online donation by credit card, click here.

To make a confidential donation by check, click here.

Other ways to support our work

Establish a Memorial or Make a Tribute.

You can create a lasting tribute to a friend or a loved one by donating a memorial gift to Equality Maryland. You can also pay tribute to people you care about with a gift to Equality Maryland made in their honor for special events like weddings, commitment ceremonies, anniversaries, and other occasions.

Give a Gift of Stock or other Securities.

If you have stock or other securities that you don’t need or no longer want to keep, donating them to Equality Maryland is a great way to use them to achieve social change. Please consult your investment or tax advisor about the amount and type of securities you wish to donate to Equality Maryland. When you are ready to make a transfer, please contact Mike Klein at mike@EqualityMaryland.org or 301 587-7500.

Join an Employee Matching Gift Program.

Many employers will match charitable donations made by their employees. If your employer has such a program, you can double or even triple the size of your gift to the Equality Maryland Foundation. Contact the Human Resources office where you work to find out if your employer offers such a program.

Contribute Through the Combined Federal Campaign.

The Equality Maryland Foundation currently participates in the Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area and the St. Mary's County Campaign. Our code number for both campaigns is 28644.

Become A Founding Member of Equality Maryland's Legacy Society.

The Equality Maryland Foundation Legacy Society honors and recognizes the generosity and vision of those who have chosen to leave a legacy of equality through estate or deferred gifts. Legacy donors receive special recognition in Equality Maryland publications. All requests for donor anonymity will be honored. Membership in this honorary society is gained by advising Equality Maryland of the creation of a legacy gift: a bequest in a will or living trust; a charitable gift annuity; or designation as beneficiary of a retirement plan or life insurance policy. The Legacy Society is an honorary organization for those friends who have chosen to support Equality Maryland's long-term mission through legacy and estate planning gifts.

There are many ways to give. Two of the simplest are:

Make a Bequest: You may choose to create a lasting legacy for equality by naming Equality Maryland in your will. You can make a bequest in several ways. For example, you can specify that Equality Maryland receive a one-time fixed dollar amount or a percentage of your estate in your will. You can also specify that, after other beneficiaries are given fixed amounts, Equality Maryland receive the remaining assets.

Donate Retirement Plan Assets: You can name Equality Maryland as the beneficiary of your pension, IRA, Keogh, profit-sharing (or defined contribution) plan, 403(b) or 401(k) plan, or other retirement plan. Your professional advisors should be able to suggest the best way for you to maximize your tax savings through such a gift to Equality Maryland.

For more information on Equality Maryland's Legacy Society, please click here.

Wedding, Commitment, Baby and Birthday Registry.

Those who already have the household, baby, and personal items they need might choose to suggest shower and party guests make a donation in their name to Equality Maryland in lieu of or in addition to other gifts. Using Equality Maryland as your gift registry is a great way to honor your special occasions and address social inequities. Equality Maryland can accept online donations.

Host a House Party.

You can help us widen our circle of friends and supporters by having a gathering in your home, place of worship, or work site. House parties are a fun way to introduce colleagues, friends and family members to Equality Maryland. Our staff is happy to provide presentations on Equality Maryland and help you with the work and planning of your house party.

Online Shopping or Selling.

If you shop or sell things online, then you can help out Equality Maryland from the comfort of your desktop by using iGive or MissionFish. Here's how:

  • If you shop online at Amazon.com, eBay, Overstock.com or any of over 680 online stores, you can make sure that a portion of each purchase goes to Equality Maryland! Just visit http://www.igive.com and search for "Equality Maryland" by keyword. Select us, enter your registration information and you're all set. You don't pay a penny more – the stores themselves send the donations directly to Equality Maryland.
  • We're also registered with iBakeSale, which offers cash-back rewards on online purchases which can be directed to Equality Maryland. Hundreds of merchants are registered, and all you have to do is use http://www.ibakesale.com as your starting point when you shop online.
  • If you're an eBay seller, you can choose to donate a portion of the sale price of your listings to the Equality Maryland Foundation through MissionFish. To find out how, visit http://www.missionfish.org and click on "For Sellers." You choose what percentage of the sale price to give to Equality Maryland, and the portion you give is tax-deductable to the full extent allowed by law.

If you would like to

  • request a confidential consultation with Equality Maryland staff to design the donation option best for you,
  • offer a contribution of in-kind goods or services,
  • make a gift of more than $600 to go to the Equality Maryland Educational Foundation,
  • or have any other questions about giving options,

please contact Mike Klein at mike@EqualityMaryland.org or 301 587-7500.