What is Moving Dorchester Forward?

Moving Dorchester Forward (MDF) is the county’s collaboration hub, connecting people, bridging gaps, and building community partnerships to improve the quality of life for everyone in Dorchester County, Maryland.

Too many children and families here face persistent barriers: high rates of poverty and unemployment, limited access to quality childcare and early learning, and a shortage of affordable housing and workforce opportunities. To change this, we bring people, partners, and resources together to create real, lasting solutions.

As Dorchester County’s nonprofit Local Management Board, MDF aligns partners—agencies, schools, nonprofits, businesses, faith and community groups, residents, and funders—around a unified vision to end childhood poverty and strengthen families in Dorchester County.

Our work is grounded in community voice because we believe that change starts locally, block by block. We co-create solutions with residents and engage and equip community members, including youth, to turn lived experience into leadership.

Together, we transform isolated activities into coordinated strategies rooted in community priorities to Move Dorchester Forward.

Our Values

Community – Building cooperation, understanding and a will to work together where we live and work.
Impact – Investing resources in programs to achieve community goals.
Accountability – Build and support accountable programs that grow sustained community engagement.
Sustainability – Mobilizing human and financial resources necessary to execute long-term strategies.
Partnership/collaboration – Working together to address important concerns and identify solutions.
Inclusion/diversity – Embracing, respecting and celebrating people, cultures, religions, perspectives and experiences that enrich our community.
Integrity – Fostering ethical and responsible interactions with our stakeholders and community.
Caring – Promoting a community where compassion and concern for others is paramount.
Innovation – Embracing creative solutions to sector and community challenges.
Civility – Promoting a respectful, inclusive dialogue to foster understand within our community.
Responsiveness – Responding to community and membership needs promptly and effectively.