– A total of $104,394 will be disbursed among 24 nonprofit programs in the Lower Shore region by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore (CFES). The programs funded include a broad range of community needs ranging from youth projects, to the arts, therapeutic services, conservation and much more.
The awards are made possible through the Foundation’s Community Needs Grants Program that makes awards twice each year to local nonprofits. “Responding to the changing needs in our community is a key strength of the Community Foundation,” noted Erica Joseph, CFES president. “Our local nonprofit partners tackle a variety of issues in our region and we are proud to support their efforts.”
The semi-annual Community Needs Grant (CNG) Program benefits organizations serving the Lower Shore of Maryland with a $5,000 maximum award per nonprofit. 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. The next deadline for CNG grant applications is August 1st.
Grants were awarded to the following nonprofit programs:
Salisbury Arts and Entertainment District Inc.: to support the Downtown Salisbury Festival.
Maryland Humanities: to bring a traveling Smithsonian exhibit "The Way We Worked” to the Salisbury University Downtown Gallery.
Mar-Va Theatre Performing Arts Center, Inc.: to support the Theater Academy Program.
The Somerset County Historical Society: to increase public awareness of the Teackle Mansion and the history of Somerset County.
The Crisfield Heritage Foundation, Inc.: to support a research project for the Crisfield Customs House.
Whitehaven Heritage Association, Inc.: to renovate the historic Whitehaven Schoolhouse building.
Princess Anne Main Street: to promote downtown events in Historic Princess Anne.
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service: to support free cyber law clinics at the Wicomico Public Library in downtown Salisbury.
Smith Island United Inc.: to support Master Captains License Class scholarships.
Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Service, Inc.: to support a home owner landscaping education workshop.
Wicomico Environmental Trust, Ltd.: to support outreach projects including Wicomico Creek Watchers and Wicomico Interfaith Partners for Creation Stewardship.
Comite de Apoya a los Trabajadores Agricolas – CATA (The Farmworker Support Commitee): to support the establishment of a community garden in the Waterside Park area of Salisbury.
New Beginning Covenant Ministries: to support the Symphony 21 music project for children and youth.
Christian Shelter, Inc.: to support parenting therapy classes at the Barclay Street shelter.
Horizons Salisbury, Inc.: to support wellness and enrichment activities for the 2017 Horizons summer learning program.
Assateague Coastal Trust, Inc.: to support Coast Kids Education Program scholarships for Berlin area children.
Agape Empowerment Corporation: to support a family cookout and resource fair in West Salisbury.
It Takes a Village to Help Our Children, Inc.: to support college awareness and preparedness programs for elementary and middle school children in the Crisfield area.
Fruitland Community Center, Inc.: to support delivery of the Maryland Out of School Time STEM program.
Salisbury Urban Ministries: to expand the Kids Cafe year round hours of service.