Governor Robert L. Ehrlich held the "Summit for Caring Communities in Maryland" to provide nonprofit community and religious organizations with advice on competing for state and federal funding, the Washington Post reported on March 2.

Over 600 leaders of Maryland nonprofit groups attended the event held on February 27 at Prince George's Community College.

"We want to partner with community and faith groups that struggle to do what they do," said Mary C. D'Ambrogi, executive director of the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives. "Often the only thing they need is advice."

This conference is the governor's first step in providing tips to nonprofit organizations about the best ways to network, train volunteers and compete for public funds, said D'Ambrogi.

Among the attending groups were Maryland's Department of Housing and Community Development, which helps people purchase homes, and the Ebenezer AME Church, which operates a prison ministry and a substance abuse program.

"We have a lot of different approaches, but one common goal: to do good work that touches people's lives," said the event's keynote speaker, Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele.