Here to
Help You
The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, as part of its core mission, has supported local nonprofit organizations since 1984. In addition to financial support, the Foundation ​provides local organizations with access to training and professional development, networking and capacity-building resources, designed to enhance the capacity of local organizations to effectively achieve their mission.
Nonprofit Resource Center
The nonprofit resource center is open during our regular business hours. It is located just inside of our front door and use is first come first served. We offer a work table and computer to access the Candid Search database.
In the Resource Center, we maintain a non-circulating selection of books, newspapers, and periodicals relating to topics such as board management, finance, fundraising, grant writing, marketing, legal and more. The print publications are available for use in our location free of charge. View available titles here.
Nonprofit Training & Recordings
CFES Live Trainings: To register for any of our seminars or training events please visit our Events Page. Questions should be directed to Lauren Ansted.
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Sign Language Interpreter Request: We are committed to making our service and facilities accessible to all of our patrons. We will provide sign language interpreter services by written request only. Please submit all requests for interpreting services two weeks (or more) in advance of the training that you will attend.
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CFES Recorded Trainings: Visit our YouTube channel to find recorded trainings on various nonprofit topics, including grant-seeking, grant-writing and more. Check back often as we are actively building this library.
NonprofitReady.org: Supports nonprofit professionals and organizations by providing access to free sector-specific learning.
Gale Courses: Gale Courses, offered through the public library system, offers a wide range of highly interactive, instructor led courses that you can take entirely online. Library card holders are entitled to these courses at no cost.
Candid Learning: Free training and resources for nonprofit professionals designed to help you reach your goals.​​
Starting a Nonprofit
The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore (CFES) offers basic technical assistance and information to those individuals who desire to start a nonprofit. We do not offer financial or legal expertise for filing documents.​ Once your nonprofit is formed, CFES has a robust nonprofit support program that can assist you in a variety of ways.
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To start your own nonprofit, you will need to file forms with state and federal governments. Costs depend on the size of the organization and proposed fundraising operations. Please refer to the websites and documents below to get started with your own nonprofit!
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Roadmap to Starting a Nonprofit
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IRS for Nonprofits: Resources for starting and maintaining a nonprofit.
Maryland Nonprofits Nonprofit Development Center: Free resources for starting a nonprofit in Maryland.
Community Law Center: Legal resources for nonprofits
MD Annotated Code for Corporations & Associations: Statutory laws concerning the creating and operation of corporations (including nonprofits)
501c3 Compliance
IRS Website: How to stay exempt as a nonprofit
Secretary of State (MD): This site provides information on the Charitable Solicitations Act and related requirements for Maryland nonprofits. *NOTE: The SoS no longer accepts paper applications. Your actual filing is done on the Maryland OneStop site.
Department of Assessments and Taxation (MD): This is the department that collects annual filings of Form 1 personal property return from nonprofits.
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Nonprofit Research
Maryland Nonprofits Research & Publications
Annie E. Casey Foundation: Maryland Grantmaker that provides research resources including KIDS COUNT, a premier data source on children and families in the U.S.
United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore: Lower Eastern Shore Grantmaker that conducted the A.L.I.C.E report that focuses on poverty in our state.
MD Center on Economic Policy: Economic research and publications.
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Independent Sector: A wealth of resources for the nonprofit sector.
Strengthening Communities Report: The Impact of the Nonprofit Sector on Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore.​
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Tidal Health Community Health Research & Data: For Worcester, Wicomico, and Somerset Counties (MD) and Sussex County, DE.
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United States Census American Community Survey (ACS): Ongoing survey that provides vital information on a yearly basis about our nation and its people.
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Somerset County Health Department: Community assessments and studies.
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Policies & Templates
These documents are from a variety of free for use resources and provide you with a starting point. You should customize them to meet the needs of your organization and consult an attorney before adopting a policy that is legally binding.
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Board Officer Job Descriptions
Board Roles & Responsibilities
Committee Charters: Fundraising
Donor Acknowledgement Template
Information Technology/ Device Use Policy
Find Funding
Lower Shore Nonprofit Funders List
Grants.Gov: A comprehensive website for grantseekers that offers information, grant listings and training tutorials.
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Governor's Grants Office (MD): Accessible resources, training, research and guidance to state and federal grants.
Candid Search – Pro subscription available to use at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.
We offer free onsite access to Candid Search, one of the largest and most comprehensive funder search databases. With Candid Search, you can:
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Build prospect lists from 298,000+ grantmakers
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Find the funders most likely to provide support
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Search for grants, scholarships, and fellowships
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Candid Search can be accessed in the Nonprofit Resource Center of the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore. You may also use your personal device if connected to our Wi-Fi.
No appointment is necessary to use the directory, but an orientation can be scheduled in advance with a member of the Community Investment Team by calling 410-742-9911.
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Testimonial: "I began investigating potential grantors in January using the Candid subscription at CFES. This was something new for me, but the directory was easy to use and provided tremendously valuable information about foundations. Maintaining that directory subscription for their partners is an invaluable benefit as most would not be capable of such an expenditure. I am happy to say that in my first four months of contacting grantors I identified using CFES’s Candid subscription, Coastal Hospice has already received 3 grants!" ~Kerrie Bunting, Coastal Hospice
