DONOR FAQ
There are many ways to give. You can use our donate page to make a one-time gift, or recurring gifts online. You can donate to an existing fund or make an unrestricted gift. You can also send a check, payable to CFES, with the fund you want to support noted in the memo line.
While some people prefer the simplicity of cash, we also accept a variety of other gifts such as securities and real estate. Planned giving options, such as gifts through trusts and estate plans, are also an option for donors wishing to join our Legacy Society.
There is no fund set up fee at the Foundation; however, there is an annual fee, depending on the type of fund established. The first step is determining what you would like to accomplish. It may be helpful to learn more about the types of funds we offer.
The minimum to start an endowed fund or a scholarship fund is $10,000, less for non-endowed funds. Fees average 1%. All administrative fees can be viewed here.
As a CFES fund holder you will receive the following benefits and services:
CFES provides financial accountability, investment management, and operational transparency.
Our investment policies are overseen by a committee of investment advisors, donors, and professionals in financial and accounting fields. CFES uses a combination of safety assets, income assets, growth assets, and aggressive assets designed to maintain the optimal returns for long-term investments.
You receive communications on the Foundation’s investment performance (quarterly) and information on community needs and opportunities to enhance your charitable giving and impact.
You may make your gift in honor or in memory of someone or make it anonymously if you so wish.
Our staff is knowledgeable in all aspects of philanthropy and will help answer your questions, should you have any. We can help to identify local organizations that meet your charitable interest, identify creative ways to give that maximize the benefit to you and the organization, and help you assess giving opportunities to make sure they are legitimate and aligned with your goals.
Yes. You may make an anonymous gift on the website or by requesting any gift be anonymous. Donor can also give anonymously to establish donor-advised funds where funds can be given nondescript names or by requesting that they not be identified when the grant is made.
We never disclose personal donor information to outside sources without donor consent.
Yes. While we prefer that the money remain locally, donors may certainly give to out-of- area charities if they wish.
Absolutely! Gifts of any size make a difference and are always appreciated. When members of the community come together to support one another, our collective impact is phenomenal! Our online giving page allows you to make gifts of $25 and up.
The Foundation has been in existence for decades and therefore, all legal and financial tools have long been established and proven. Working with your professional advisor and our staff, we can help you identify how your investment can best be established to provide you with financial benefit and meet your charitable goals. Just as each of our donors is unique, each donor’s giving decisions impact their financial and tax benefits. All gifts receive the maximum tax deduction allowed by law.
The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore grants out more than $5 million back into the community each year. CFES makes grants to local nonprofit organizations working in all areas of community betterment, from arts & culture to workforce development, and everything in between.
We will work with you to ensure that your passion or interests match those community needs that are most meaningful to you. For more information, contact Jessica Meehan at jmeehan@cfes.org.
The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore (CFES) is a cost-effective alternative to meet
your charitable, financial, and estate planning needs. But which is right for you? Now more than ever, many are turning to their local community foundation to create a permanent philanthropic fund. Compare the benefits between community foundations and private foundations here.
All fund holders have access to our online donor portal here. The portal allows you to view your fund in real time and make grant recommendations from your fund. Alternatively donors may fill out and submit a hard copy of the donor advised grant recommendation form here.
Yes, donations can be made to any fund at the Community Foundation at any time. If you plan to actively fundraise to support your fund, you must contact the Community Foundation to ensure you are in compliance with our Donor Fundraising Policy.
View our donor portal quick start guide HERE.