Press Releases

FOUNDATION AWARDS $75,000

IN COMMUNITY NEEDS GRANTS

Record level of grantmaking to benefit lower shore nonprofits

A record $75,000 in community needs grants has been awarded to nonprofit organizations in the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore during its fall grant cycle.

A total of 19 nonprofits received the grants through a competitive evaluation process.  “We are very pleased to see so many worthwhile programs receive funding through our Community Needs Grants Program,” said Spicer Bell, Foundation President.  “Needs throughout the region continue to grow and we are grateful for the support of so many donors throughout the region that makes it possible for the Foundation to respond with this record amount of grants.”

Representatives of the nonprofits gathered at the Foundation’s Eastern Shore Nonprofit Support Center recently to receive plaques recognizing their Community Needs grant awards.  The next deadline for Community Needs Program grant applications is Dec. 1, 2007.

Organizations receiving Community Needs Grants in the fall awards cycle include:

• Art Institute & Gallery (Wicomico) - To support a week-long exhibition and educational event titled “The Book as Art”.

• Assateague Coastal Trust (Worcester) - To support marketing and outreach for the COASTKEEPER program.

• Fruitland Community Center (Wicomico) - To support the After-School Program and Karate Program.

• Fruitland Recreation Commission (Wicomico) - To support the Winter Basketball Program.

• Goodwill Industries (Wicomico) - Seed money to establish employment and training services for individuals leaving the Wicomico County Detention Center and returning to the greater Salisbury area. 

• Green Gate Farm (Somerset) - To support a pilot program utilizing Equine-Assisted Growth and Learning Experiences for adults with addictions. 

• Growing by Grace Deliverance Ministries (Lower Eastern Shore) - To support energy assistance, food, emergency services and prescriptions for uninsured and under-insured families.

• Horizons at The Salisbury School (Wicomico) - To support an after-school pilot program for students who are academically and economically challenged.

• Hudson Health Service (Lower Eastern Shore) - To provide financial support for low income individuals for inpatient treatment.

• Julia A. Purnell Museum (Worcester) - To support the African American Oral History Project.

• Lower Delmarva Genealogical Society (Lower Eastern Shore) - Publication of a store ledger dated back to the 1700’s.

• Lower Shore Land Trust (Lower Eastern Shore) - To support two outreach workshops as part of the Reality Check Plus program.

• Maryland Mentoring Partnership (Lower Eastern Shore) - To support activities during National Mentoring Month in January, 2008.

• Nanticoke Watershed Alliance (Wicomico) - To support a public lecture by a nationally recognized speaker and a follow-up series of five monthly sessions focusing on the costs of and alternatives to rapid population growth. 

• Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council (Wicomico) - To support the refurbishment of musical instruments provided to low income students.  

• St. Andrews United Methodist Church (Wicomico) - To support “Rehabilitate the President’s Neighborhood and Rebuild the Community” program of the President’s Neighborhood Association.  

• Telamon Corporation (Lower Eastern Shore) - To support GED preparation program to be offered at the One Stop Job Market. 

• Westside Historical Society (Wicomico) - To support an oral history project designed to preserve the collective historical memory of older citizens of western Wicomico.

• Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation at Ocean Pines (Worcester) - Flag protocol booklet and flags for local elementary school programs.