Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC)

What Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC) does

MASC is a Maryland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1950 that serves as the statewide student council association for secondary schools (middle and high schools, public, private, and charter). The organization trains student leaders, advocates on student issues before the Maryland General Assembly and State Board of Education, and facilitates communication among student councils throughout the state. Its membership base exceeds 200 schools organized through 20 regional student council associations across Maryland counties.

The organization generates revenue through four primary streams: (1) tiered annual school membership dues ranging from $75 to $145 based on enrollment, with discounted rates for FARMS-eligible schools; (2) event registration fees for conferences including the Advance summer program, Fall Leadership Conference, Legislative Session, and the annual Convention; (3) donations and fundraising across defined sponsorship tiers (Friends of MASC $100+, Olympians $1,000+, Bronze $5,000-$9,999, Silver $10,000-$14,999, Gold $15,000+); and (4) spirit wear sales through a partnership with Maryland Print House. MASC distributes programs through direct school enrollment, 20 regional student council organizations acting as channel partners, event registration, and e-commerce for merchandise.

MASC's product portfolio includes the core membership program, major conferences, the Advance summer training program, eight standing student committees, three recurring publications (Monthly Bulletin, Quarterly Newsletter, Special Edition), an awards recognition program, the Student Member on the Board of Education (SMOB) advocacy program, executive board appointed staff positions, leadership resource materials, and a monthly Service Spotlight program. The organization is governed by an annually elected student Executive Board with adult advisors and an Executive Director (Karen L. Crawford), and operates with a staff of approximately 34. MASC holds formal partnerships with the National Association of Student Councils (NASC), Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP), Maryland Youth Advisory Council (MYAC), Maryland Leadership Workshops (MLW), and several other education and civic organizations. The organization has no proprietary technology platform — its digital presence consists of a WordPress website, social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram), and email newsletters.

Name

Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC)

Legal name

Maryland Association of Student Councils

Website

https://mdstudentcouncils.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MASC is a Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1950 that serves as the statewide student council association for 200+ public, private, and charter secondary schools, providing leadership training, advocacy, and conference programming through membership dues, events, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Leadership Development & Advocacy Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDALAHAA

Student Government & Leadership Programs

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Student Activities, Clubs & Campus Life

SECONDARYEDAMALAK

Leadership, Debate & Model UN Camps

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Summer & Holiday Enrichment Camps (Multi-Activity, Academic)

Keywords

• Student leadership development
• Youth advocacy programs
• Student council membership
• Leadership conferences
• Education nonprofit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Churchville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. School Membership Dues: MASC generates revenue through annual school membership dues based on school enrollment, ranging from $75-$145 per school with discounted rates for FARMS-eligible schools. Membership runs July 1 through December 31 annually.
2. Event Registration Fees: Revenue generated from conference and event registration fees including Advance (Monday $23, Tuesday $31, Wednesday $20 per day), Workshop Presenter Certification, and other MASC events.
3. Donations and Fundraising: MASC accepts donations from individuals and organizations, including specific sponsorship levels for the annual convention (Gold $15,000+, Silver $10,000-$14,999, Bronze $5,000-$9,999, Olympians $1,000+, Friends of MASC $100+). Also participates in FUNDrive thrift fundraising.
4. Spirit Wear Sales: MASC sells branded merchandise including spirit wear through partnerships with Maryland Print House, available at conferences and via online ordering for direct shipping.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

MASC provides statewide student leadership development, advocacy, and communication services for Maryland's secondary school student councils. Its core offerings include tiered annual school memberships, multi-day conferences (Fall Leadership Conference, Legislative Session, annual Convention), the Advance summer leadership training program, awards recognition, publications, and the SMOB state-board advocacy program, all coordinated through 20 regional student council organizations.

Product overview

MASC is Maryland's student leadership organization offering a portfolio of programs and services for secondary school student councils. Core offerings include annual school membership, major conferences (Fall Leadership Conference, Legislative Session, and annual Convention), the Advance summer program, and various committees/forums for ongoing student engagement. Publications include the Monthly Bulletin and Quarterly Newsletter. Additional services encompass awards recognition, the Student Member on the Board of Education advocacy program, executive board appointed staff positions, leadership resources, and the Service Spotlight program for community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MASC School Membership Annual enrollment-tiered school membership for public, private, or charter secondary student councils in Maryland. Dues range from $75 (0-400 enrollment) to $145 (3,000+ enrollment), with FARMS-discounted rates ($60-$95). Membership runs July 1-December 31, confers 5-12 votes in MASC governance based on tier, and grants access to conferences, programs, and publications.
• Advance Summer Program Three-day summer training event held at Montgomery County's Lathrop E. Smith Center with optional overnights. Features Workshop Presenter Certification, Executive Board meetings, and leadership development for secondary student leaders. Daily rates of $20-$31, including food, materials, and facility.
• MASC Conferences and Events Major annual conferences including Fall Leadership Conference (FLC), Legislative Session in Annapolis, and the annual Convention (75th Anniversary held in 2025 with 'Olympics of Leadership' theme). Provide leadership training, advocacy experience, and statewide networking for student leaders.
• MASC Awards Program Annual recognition program with multiple awards including Felix Simon Student Council Award (middle and high school divisions), Principal of the Year, Mike Michealson High School Advisor of the Year, Middle School Advisor of the Year, Karen L. Crawford Regional Advisor of the Year, Catherine Nora Murray Unsung Hero Award, Susan Nash Travetto Friend of MASC Award, and Outstanding Student Leader recognition (one per region).
• Student Member on the Board of Education (SMOB) Program State-level student advocacy program in which a student representative is nominated by Maryland principals, selected through MASC's legislative session process, and serves on the Maryland State Board of Education. Provides formal student voice in statewide education policy decisions.
• MASC Spirit Wear Branded MASC apparel and merchandise produced through a partnership with Maryland Print House (an MASC alumnus-owned vendor). Sold online with direct shipping or available for pickup at MASC conferences and events.

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Catherine Nora Murray Scholarship FundminorOthers · 1 January 2025Named scholarship fund supported through convention sponsorship and alumni donations. Recipients selected by MASC.
• CEASOMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner listed on MASC website as part of MASC's organizational network. No specific partnership details available.
• MASSP (Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMASSP is a key collaborative partner supporting MASC programs and providing resources for school administrators and student council advisors.
• Maryland Civic Education CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMASC collaborates with MD Civic Education Coalition on civic engagement initiatives and the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) program.
• Maryland Leadership Workshops (MLW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMLW provides leadership development programming and summer delegate opportunities in partnership with MASC.
• Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSDE is a key governmental partner providing support for student advocacy initiatives and state education policy engagement.
• NA4SA (National Association for Future Student Advisors)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNA4SA supports MASC advisor professional development and provides resources for school and regional advisors.
• NASSCED (National Association of State Supervisors of Career and Technical Education)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in MASC's organizational network.
• NASC (National Association of Student Councils)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASC is the national parent organization for MASC, providing leadership development resources, recognition programs, the LEAD Conference, and national council excellence awards.
• Strong Schools MarylandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization advocating for fully-funded, equitable public schools. Collaborates on Student Ambassador Collective program.
• Sugar Free Kids MDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in MASC's organizational network focusing on youth health initiatives.
• Maryland Print HouseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMASC alumnus-owned and operated vendor providing spirit wear and merchandise for MASC. Products available online with direct shipping or pickup at conferences.
• Maryland Center for School SafetyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative organization with ongoing student committee - MCSS Student Advocacy Program (formerly Student Focus Group). Student advocates provide insight on school safety from student perspective.
• Maryland Youth Advisory Council (MYAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMASC appoints students to MYAC, a youth leadership and advocacy council discussing and advocating on youth issues throughout Maryland. Appointed by Governor, Senate President, and Speaker of House.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Florida Association of Student Councils (FASC): Florida's statewide student council association offering membership, conferences, and leadership development for secondary schools — analogous operating model to MASC in a larger state.
• Maryland Leadership Workshops (MLW): Maryland-based nonprofit delivering summer leadership workshops and delegate programs in partnership with MASC. Overlaps on leadership development programming and serves similar student populations in the same geography.
• New Jersey Association of Student Councils (NJASC): New Jersey's statewide student council association providing membership, conferences, and advocacy support — directly analogous state-level peer organization to MASC.
• Maryland Civic Education Coalition: Maryland-based civic education coalition that partners with MASC on the Youth Advisory Council. Operates in adjacent civic engagement programming with shared student advocacy mission and overlapping regional networks.
• Virginia Student Councils Association (VSCA): Statewide Virginia student council association operating regional networks, annual conventions, and recognition awards — directly comparable to MASC in mission, structure, and regional channel model.
• California Association of Student Councils (CASC): California's statewide student leadership organization providing membership, conferences, and awards for secondary school student councils — closely mirrors MASC's structure and program portfolio.
• Texas Association of Student Councils (TASC): State-level student council association serving Texas secondary schools with comparable membership, conferences, and advocacy programming — directly analogous to MASC's model in Maryland.

Others

• National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP): National professional association for middle and high school principals. Comparable in member-based nonprofit model and overlaps with MASC's stakeholder universe of school administrators.
• Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP): Maryland-based professional association for secondary school principals and a core MASC strategic partner. Operates in the same Maryland education ecosystem with overlapping membership and joint programming.

Broad incumbents

• National Student Council (NatStuCo): National parent organization of MASC and other state student council associations. Operates the LEAD Conference and national recognition programs (National Council of Excellence, Distinguished Student Leader), serving as the broader umbrella body over MASC's offerings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MDStuCo
• Facebookfacebook.com/MarylandAssociationofStudentCouncils
• Instagraminstagram.com/md.stuco/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maryland-association-of-student-councils-masc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC)