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Annual Report

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We are pleased to present our 2020 Annual Report, covering the period November 1, 2019–October 31, 2020.

Despite the incredible challenges and upheavals posed by both national and global events, we were able to successfully adapt nearly all of our programs for the virtual sphere last year.

We offered a mix of 1,021 in-person and virtual events in a dozen programs to just over 272,000 Marylanders in our fiscal year 2020. Inside the report, you’ll find photos, striking and informative infographics, details of all the grants we awarded—including 100 COVID-19 relief grants through the CARES ACT—, as well as many of our partner organizations, our financial statement, and a list of our generous donors.

Thank you for your interest and support in our vital work!

“Besides giving my students a relaxed writing situation with a non-threatening prompt (a personal letter, after all), your program challenges students to think ‘outside the box.'”

Letters About Literature teacher
“[One Maryland One Book taught me that] these types of book discussions that include diverse populations across the state open necessary dialogues to help solve problems. We need to have many more.”

One Maryland One Book 2016 participant
“History Day inspired me to become deeply invested in historical topics which I never thought I’d enjoy. It is an amazing experience that has the ability to make learning fun for everyone, no matter what you’re interested in.”

Addie Skillman, National History Day Gold Winner
“Humanities are stories of human endeavor. They are at the root of who we are as human beings. The humanities matter because the better we understand and appreciate each other’s cultural and creative foundations the stronger we all become. We then have the ability to work together to solve the problems we all face.”

Maryland Humanities survey participant
“The impact of this particular book was probably stronger than any other Maryland One Book due to the connections we could make with real world events and police brutality in the headlines. Many groups were reading and discussing the book at our school: Student Equity Team, Drama Club, Faculty book club, sociology and English classes. It fostered important discussions about race relations.”

One Maryland One Book 2016 teacher
“My participation continuance with the program comes from the great cohesiveness of our group… even when new people join… everyone’s ideas and work philosophies teach me something new about how to handle my work and my own life.”

Literature & Medicine participant
“Lifelong learning is continuing to read, listen, learn, share ideas, discuss, and be enlightened by the great ideas and events of the human experience during the course of an entire life.”

Maryland Humanities survey participant
“[I enjoyed] listening to the personal experiences of the panelists as they honestly confronted the universal problems of the 21st century.”

Pulitzer Panel attendee
“The enthusiasm, and preparedness of your students was impressive. I have spoken about them at different forums, as the leaders of a new generation of Americans, who will study the past, so, not to repeat the mistakes.”

Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, veteran participant
“Talking with students also helps those of us who have said little about our combat experiences because, in a sense, we feel guilty about why others died and not us/me? So, to be able to talk about it helps the veterans. The opportunity you provided to both students and veterans is wonderful and I do hope that our messages are meaningful to students.”

Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, veteran participant
“It was an interesting thing to do. The process of digging through photos, souvenirs, copies of old orders, and other memorabilia was meaningful after 43 years. I WAS impressed with all of the students I met.”

Standing Together: Veterans Oral History Project, veteran participant
“The book selections offer an opportunity to read a book that is informative and engaging. It enhances our view of the world and the individuals within it. We sincerely look forward to the OMOB selections and materials each year. It is a topic of excitement and discussion among students and staff. Truly and wonderfully.”

One Maryland One Book teacher
“Very interesting program. I had not heard of or read any of the stories; I would like to read them now.”

Pulitzer Panel attendee
“[Participation in the program] continues to remind that as humans, we are diverse and handle situations in accordance with who we are as individuals. Being so reminded fosters patience and empathy in dealing with everyone I come in contact with.”

Literature & Medicine participant

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