Maryland Jeep Club, Inc. (MJC) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that unites Jeep enthusiasts throughout Maryland with one shared purpose: to use our passion for Jeeps and community to drive meaningful change. Founded by a small group of Jeep owners who wanted to do more than just explore trails, MJC has grown into a vibrant statewide organization with over 8,000 active members connected through social media, in-person events, and charitable initiatives.
We believe that a club should be more than just a hobby — it should be a vehicle for good. Every event, ride, and gathering we organize is anchored by a spirit of service, inclusion, and camaraderie. From hosting family-friendly Jeep shows and parades to organizing supply drives for animal shelters and veterans, Maryland Jeep Club leverages community enthusiasm to support local causes that make Maryland a stronger, more compassionate place to live.
Our approach blends fun with purpose: we celebrate the Jeep lifestyle while ensuring that every mile we drive contributes to a greater mission.
Mission Statement
Our mission is simple but powerful: to use our shared passion for Jeeps to make a difference in Maryland communities through service, education, and charitable giving.
We aim to:
Support Maryland-based 501(c)(3) charities that help veterans, children, families, and animals in need.
Build a welcoming, inclusive community of Jeep enthusiasts.
Encourage responsible off-roading and environmental stewardship.
Model how automotive and recreational communities can lead in volunteerism and philanthropy.
We’re not just about Jeeps — we’re about the people who drive them and the communities they belong to.
Our Story
Maryland Jeep Club began humbly — a few Jeep owners meeting up for trail rides and community events. As friendships formed and word spread, the club grew organically through a shared commitment to giving back. Members began collecting donations for local shelters, hosting meet-ups to raise funds for families in crisis, and volunteering in community service projects.
By 2020, the group’s volunteer and fundraising activity had grown so much that formal nonprofit status became the logical next step. Maryland Jeep Club, Inc. was officially incorporated as a charitable 501(c)(3) organization recognized by the IRS, allowing it to expand its mission, attract sponsors, and manage larger-scale fundraising events with transparency and accountability.
What makes Maryland Jeep Club unique is our grassroots nature. We are entirely volunteer-run, powered by passionate members who give their time, talents, and energy to make a difference. There are no paid staff positions — every dollar raised goes directly toward charitable causes or the operational costs that make community service possible.
Our Core Programs & Activities
1. Signature Fundraising Events
Maryland Jeep Club organizes several major annual events that blend community, fun, and philanthropy:
Go Topless Day® (May): A worldwide celebration of Jeep culture, with Maryland’s event drawing hundreds of participants. Our local version serves as a fundraiser for Maryland charities, combining trail rides, vendor booths, and live entertainment.
Dream Big Rubber Duck Derby & Jeep Show and Shine (June): A uniquely Maryland event pairing a fun “duck race” with a large-scale Jeep show. Proceeds support children’s hospitals, community outreach programs, and local nonprofits.
Breast Cancer Awareness Ride (October): A convoy of pink-decorated Jeeps traveling across Maryland to raise funds and awareness for the Center for Breast Health at Carroll Hospital and other local cancer initiatives.
Veterans Day Parade (November): Maryland Jeep Club proudly participates in the National Veterans Day Parade on the National Mall, honoring those who served while raising awareness for veterans’ charities.
Urbana Santa Parade (December): Our festive holiday event collects donations for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a Maryland organization providing beds to children in need.
2. Community Support & Charity Partnerships
MJC supports a variety of Maryland-based 501(c)(3) organizations through financial donations, volunteer hours, and in-kind contributions. Past and ongoing partners include:
Carroll Hospital Center Foundation
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Team Rubicon (veterans disaster relief)
Baltimore County Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BCARS)
Mission BBQ Foundation events
Local food banks and shelters across the state
Our members regularly collect and deliver supplies — from dog food and bedding to toys and school items — to organizations that need them most.
3. Veterans and Service Programs
We believe those who have served deserve our full support. Our veterans initiatives include:
Coordinating Jeep convoys for veteran awareness events
Supporting veteran-owned small businesses through sponsorships
Partnering with organizations like Mission BBQ and Wreaths Across America
Donating proceeds from events to veteran-focused nonprofits
Our Jeeps often serve as rolling billboards for patriotism and gratitude — decorated with flags, unit insignias, and memorial tributes to the fallen.
4. Animal Rescue & Protection
MJC members have a deep compassion for animals — especially those in shelters and foster programs. Through annual drives and fundraising events, we collect food, toys, and supplies for Maryland animal rescues. Our “Duck Derby” events also spotlight animal-related charities, aligning with our commitment to supporting the voiceless members of our communities.
5. Education & Environmental Stewardship
Responsible recreation is one of our guiding principles. MJC promotes:
Trail ethics education through “Tread Lightly!” programs.
Off-road safety workshops for members new to the Jeep lifestyle.
Community clean-up rides, where members remove trash from trails, waterways, and public lands.
We believe being good stewards of the land ensures Maryland’s trails and parks can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Our Impact
Since our incorporation, Maryland Jeep Club has:
Donated tens of thousands of dollars to local Maryland charities.
Collected truckloads of food, clothing, and pet supplies for organizations in need.
Mobilized hundreds of volunteers for community events and service projects.
Partnered with local businesses to create sustainable fundraising opportunities.
But the true measure of our impact goes beyond numbers. It’s the child who finally has a bed to sleep in, the veteran who feels remembered, and the rescue animal who finds a home. Those stories — repeated again and again — are what drive us forward.
Organizational Structure
Maryland Jeep Club is led by a volunteer Board of Directors that oversees governance, finances, and mission execution. The board includes roles such as President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Event Coordinator.
Committees manage key areas like:
Events & Fundraising
Membership & Community Outreach
Sponsorship & Partnerships
Compliance & Grants
This structure ensures transparency, accountability, and community involvement in every decision we make.
Funding and Transparency
MJC operates with complete transparency regarding our finances. As a 501(c)(3) organization, we comply with all IRS filing and reporting requirements, including Form 990-N or 990-EZ filings as appropriate.
We maintain clear separation between club operating funds and charitable disbursements, ensuring donor confidence. All major donations and sponsorships are acknowledged publicly, and event proceeds are tracked and documented.
100% of profits from our charitable events go directly to Maryland-based nonprofits or specific causes announced in advance.
Partnerships & Corporate Engagement
Corporate partnerships are vital to our mission. We collaborate with local businesses, dealerships, and national brands that share our values of service and community.
Past sponsors include:
Joe’s Jeep Jungle
Tint & Sound
Mason Dixon K9
EES Services LLC
Jed-Co Equipment & Supply
We welcome sponsorships, matching gifts, and volunteer programs through platforms like Benevity that allow companies to amplify their employees’ impact.
By partnering with Maryland Jeep Club, corporations can connect with an active and loyal community while supporting high-visibility charitable events that make a tangible difference.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Jeep community is as diverse as the trails we travel. Maryland Jeep Club celebrates that diversity and works to ensure that every participant — regardless of background, age, gender, or ability — feels welcome.
We foster a respectful, inclusive culture that values teamwork, shared purpose, and mutual respect. Everyone is invited to join the ride.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Maryland Jeep Club aims to:
Expand membership and volunteer engagement statewide.
Develop a Youth & Family Outreach Program introducing kids to outdoor recreation and community service.
Build stronger relationships with Maryland-based hospitals, shelters, and educational nonprofits.
Launch a “Jeeps for a Cause” fund to provide micro-grants to small Maryland charities.
Increase our environmental initiatives and adopt public lands for ongoing clean-up projects.
Our long-term vision is to make Maryland Jeep Club a model for how recreational organizations can drive community transformation.
Why We Do It
Because we believe good people with great Jeeps can do amazing things.
We’re proof that when passion and purpose share the same road, every journey leads somewhere better.
Disclaimers
Jeep® is a registered trademark of FCA US LLC. Maryland Jeep Club, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit organization and is not affiliated with or endorsed by FCA US LLC.
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