Progressive Maryland Education Fund is a left-of-center nonprofit organization that lobbies in support of left-of-center legislation and engages in community organizing in Maryland. It is the educational sister organization of Progressive Maryland.

The organization has supported the passage of left-progressive legislation in Maryland, including measures that raised the state minimum wage to $15 an hour, implemented a universal paid sick leave mandate, created left-of-center criminal justice policies, and restricted campaign financing in three Maryland counties. ^[1]

The organization is a member of the Economic Analysis and Research Network, a left-of-center umbrella group for pro-organized labor research organizations. ^[2] It is also a member of the People’s Action Institute, the educational arm of the left-wing community organizing group People’s Action. ^[3]

Leadership

Larry Stafford Jr. is the executive director of the Progressive Maryland Education Fund. He has been the executive director since 2015. Previously, he was a staffer for the controversial, now-defunct voter outreach organization ACORN. He also works as the head of Progressive Maryland, the associated lobbying arm of Progressive Maryland Education Fund. ^[4]

Jennifer Mendes Dwyer is the deputy executive director of the organization. She has been working for the organization since 2016. Before joining the organization, she worked to prevent a Walmart store from opening in her town. ^[5] Nikki MG Cole is the Progressive Maryland Education Fund organizing director. Elizabeth Mackenzie is the director of legislative organizing. ^[6]

Financials

In 2018, the organization generated $359,569 in revenue and spent $334,940. ^[7]

The Fund accepted a grant of an undisclosed amount from the Greater Washington Community Foundation to assist low-income people in completing the 2020 Census. ^[8]