A T & Mary H Blades Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,564,100 (2024)
• Success Rate: N/A - Invitation only
• Decision Time: N/A - No public application process
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $250,000 (estimated)
• Geographic Focus: Eastern Shore Maryland (Caroline, Dorchester, and Talbot counties)

Contact Details

• Address: 3400 Poplar Neck Road, Preston, MD 21655-1309
• Phone: (410) 673-7932
• Email: Not publicly available
• Website: No public website

Overview

The A T & Mary H Blades Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 1961 by A.T. and Mary H. Blades. With assets of $28 million and annual giving of approximately $1.5-1.8 million, the foundation supports around 48 organizations yearly. Operating as a traditional family foundation managed by the Harper family, it focuses on health, human services, and education primarily in Caroline, Dorchester, and Talbot counties on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The foundation maintains a conservative, relationship-based approach to grant-making, working exclusively with preselected charitable organizations without accepting unsolicited applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs but provides:

• Unrestricted operating support: $1,000 - $50,000 (typical range)
• Capital projects: Up to $250,000 (for major initiatives)
• Scholarships: Various amounts
• Special projects: Including wheelchair lifts and equipment

Priority Areas

• Health services (27% of giving)
• Human services (27% of giving)
• Education (23% of giving)
• Religious organizations (20% of giving)
• Environmental causes

What They Don't Fund

• Political organizations
• Individual requests
• Organizations outside their geographic focus area (with rare exceptions)

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a four-member board consisting entirely of Harper family members:

• President: David Harper Sr.
• Treasurer: Brenda Harper
• Secretary: David Harper Jr.
• Trustee: Christy Harper

The foundation was originally established by A.T. Blades and Mary H. Blades (both deceased).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests. Grant decisions are made through trustee discretion based on their knowledge of and relationships with organizations in their geographic focus area.

Getting on Their Radar

Since the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, organizations in their geographic area might consider:

• Building relationships with other Eastern Shore nonprofits the foundation already funds
• Becoming visible through community impact in Caroline, Dorchester, or Talbot counties
• Connecting through shared board members or community leaders who know the trustees
• Note: The foundation has been known to respond to letters sent to their Preston, MD address, though funding is unlikely without existing relationships

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no formal application process exists

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation works only with preselected organizations

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation-only funding model

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation doesn't accept applications, success depends entirely on:

• Being located in or serving Caroline, Dorchester, or Talbot counties in Maryland
• Having established credibility and visibility in the local community
• Demonstrating sustained impact in health, education, human services, or religious activities
• Building authentic relationships within the Eastern Shore nonprofit community
• Getting on the trustees' radar through community connections rather than direct solicitation
• Recent known grants include $250,000 to Talbot Bible Church, $145,000 to Chesapeake College, and $80,000 to Peco Methodist Camp and Retreat Center

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder - do not include in standard grant prospect lists unless you have existing relationships
• Geographic focus is hyperlocal despite "national" classification - Eastern Shore Maryland only
• Family-run foundation with all positions held by Harper family members
• Substantial resources ($28M assets) with consistent annual giving of $1.5-1.8M to ~48 organizations
• No online presence or application infrastructure - operates traditionally through relationships
• Success requires genuine community presence in their focus counties, not cold outreach
• Average grant size approximately $38,000 based on recent giving patterns

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/520794020 (accessed February 2026)
• GuideStar Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/52-0794020 (accessed February 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=BLAD004 (accessed February 2026)
• Cause IQ: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/at-mary-h-blades-foundation,520794020/ (accessed February 2026)
• NPFunds Directory: https://npfunds.com/directory/a-t-mary-h-blades-foundation/ (accessed February 2026)
• IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020-2024)