SCORE is a volunteer association sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The association matches volunteer business-management counselors with clients in need of expert advice, helping them identify problems, determine the causes and find solutions. All individual and team counseling is free and confidential; a nominal fee is charged for seminars and workshops.

SCORE also provides online workshops, business plan and financial templates to walk you through the business planning process, a free business financing guide, a free internet marketing workbook and sample business plans. Visit  SCORE’s Web site to discover “Small Biz Power Links,” featuring these topics: Biz Planning & Managing, Communications & Human Resources, Finance, Franchising, Government, International Trade, Legal & Tax, Sales & Marketing, Technology & Internet, and the US Small Business Administration.

Contact the SCORE chapter nearest you:

• Baltimore: 410-962-2233
• District of Columbia: 202-272-0390
• Frederick County: 301-739-2015 ext. 103
• Hagerstown: 301-739-2015 ext. 103
• Middle Shore (Talbot County) 410-822-4606
• Salisbury: 410-749-0185
• Southern Maryland: 410-266-9553
• Upper Shore: 410-810-0021
• Montgomery County: 301-738-0015 ext.236