A new organic compound of bis-glycine maleate was synthesized in the alkaline medium of 10% ammonium hydroxide solution. The bulk single crystals of Bis-Glycine Maleate (BGM) have been grown by slow cooling method. The grown crystals were characterized by employing single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, optical absorption spectral studies and thermo gravimetric analysis. The microhardness studies confirmed that the BGM has a fairly high Vicker's hardness number value (41 kg mm(-2)) in comparison to other organic NLO crystals. Second harmonic generation efficiency of the crystal measured by Kurtz-Perry powder method using Nd:YAG laser is found to be comparable to that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP). Frequency dependent dielectric studies were carried out along the major growth axis. (C) 2010 Elsevier BM. All rights reserved.