Grants

The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore offers a number of grant opportunities throughout the year to local nonprofit, community, and faith-based organizations. CFES is proud of the diversity of the organizations and programs supported through grants from the Community Needs Grant Program, Education Awards Grant Program, and Small Grants Program. Please take a few minutes to review the details below.

 

Additional questions regarding eligibility or requirements for any grant programs may be directed to Erica Joseph at joseph@cfes.org or 410-742-9911.  

 

The Community Foundation’s Community Needs Grant Program provides program support to a broad range of charitable programs.  Applicants must be 501c3 nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations providing non-sectarian programs or eligible programs within government agencies serving citizens on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland (specifically Somerset, Wicomico and/or Worcester County).   Grants are typically in the $2,000-7,500 range.

 

Applicants must submit a Community Needs Grant Application by the deadline, currently February 1^st and August 1^st, of each year to be considered.  A site visit will be conducted as part of the grant review process. 

 

Interested applicants are encouraged to review the Community Needs Grant Application and Guidelines.

Education Awards Grant Program

 

The Community Foundation’s Education Awards Grant Program provides support for classroom-based programs in public and private schools (pre-K through 12^th grade) on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland (specifically Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester County).   Grants are typically in the $1,500-5,000 range.   Applicants must submit an Education Awards Grant Application by the deadline, currently August 24^th, to be considered.  A site visit will be conducted as part of the grant review process.

 

Interested applicants are encouraged to review the Educations Awards Grant Application and Guidelines.

Small Grants Program

 

The Community Foundation’s Small Grants Program provides support to address a wide range of needs including pilot projects, emergencies, organizational improvement and capacity building and equipment purchases.  Grants are typically in the $200-2,000 range.

 

The following programs/funds will be considered part of the Small Grants Program:

• Technical Mini Grant Program
• Help Your Neighbor Program
• ShoreCAN Mini Grant Program
• Chairman’s Fund
• Field of Interest Funds
• Designated Funds

A letter of inquiry in the CFES’ requested format is required for all requests.  Unsolicited applications to the Small Grants Program will not be considered.  Following an initial review by the CFES staff, requests to the Small Grants Program will be referred to the appropriate CFES Fund which may have additional application requirements.