← Back to US Funders Directory

Community Foundation Of The Eastern Shore Inc

Annual Giving
$8.6M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.0M
Decision Time
1mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8,600,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Letters of inquiry submitted by the 15th of the month receive decisions the following month
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $5,000
  • Geographic Focus: Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore (Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties)

Contact Details

Address: 1324 Belmont Avenue, Suite 401, Salisbury, MD 21804

Phone: 410-742-9911

Email: cfes@cfes.org

Website: www.cfes.org

Grants Portal: cfesgrants.communityforce.com

Overview

The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore (CFES) was established in 1984 and has become one of the most significant philanthropic organizations serving Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore. Since its founding, CFES has provided more than $114 million in grants and scholarships to the local community. In fiscal year 2025, the Foundation announced a total of $8.6 million in grants, including more than $858,000 in scholarships to local students. The Foundation operates with a mission to inspire community philanthropy and connect people who care with causes that matter. With over $123 million invested in the community and more than 90 scholarship funds under administration, CFES distributes 350+ scholarships annually. In 2010, the Council on Foundations ranked CFES 23rd in the nation out of over 700 community foundations for receiving the most gifts per capita in fiscal year 2009. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of area business and community leaders knowledgeable about the needs of the region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Needs Grant Program

  • Grant Range: Up to $5,000
  • Focus: Provides program support to a broad range of charitable programs
  • Eligibility: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations providing non-sectarian programs, or eligible programs within government agencies
  • Application: Rolling basis via online grants portal

Education Awards Grant Program

  • Grant Range: Up to $5,000
  • Focus: Classroom-based programs in public and private schools (pre-K through 12th grade)
  • Application: Annual deadline in August/September
  • Recent Impact: Somerset County educators received $20,994 in competitive Education Grants in 2024

Women's Fund

  • Grant Range: Up to $5,000
  • Focus: Programs addressing the unmet needs of women and/or girls on Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore
  • Application: Annual spring cycle
  • Recent Impact: Awarded $65,000 to 9 organizations in 2025, supporting projects from empowerment programs to workforce training

Workforce Development Grant Program

  • Grant Range: Not specified
  • Focus: Scholarship opportunities for job training, education, or professional development programs

Mini-Grants Program

  • Grant Range: Up to $2,000
  • Focus: Technical assistance and capacity building, emergency assistance, youth programs, or volunteer engagement
  • Subcategories: Technical Assistance & Capacity Building (pilot projects, organizational improvement, technology/equipment purchases); Emergency Assistance (pharmaceutical, transportation, food, and utility assistance through local charities)

Neighborhood Grants

  • Grant Range: Not specified
  • Focus: Community-level initiatives

Priority Areas

CFES supports a wide range of charitable programs serving the Lower Eastern Shore, with particular emphasis on:

  • Education and youth development
  • Women's and girls' empowerment
  • Community services and nonprofit capacity building
  • Emergency assistance and basic needs
  • Workforce development and economic opportunity
  • Programs serving residents across all three Lower Eastern Shore counties

What They Don't Fund

Financial/Organizational:

  • Debt retirement
  • Endowment funds
  • Fundraising campaigns
  • Nonprofit start-up fees (e.g., 501(c)(3) Articles of Incorporation or Form 1023 filing fees)
  • Operational deficits
  • Grants to individuals

Political/Religious:

  • Partisan political activities
  • Political lobbying activities
  • Sectarian religious programs
  • Operational funds for government agencies or places of worship (though programmatic funding for community-serving programs is allowed)

Infrastructure/Equipment:

  • Athletic facility infrastructure or maintenance
  • Building campaigns
  • Capital requests
  • Playground equipment
  • Ongoing operating expenses

Additional Restrictions:

  • Unincorporated charitable organizations must apply through a qualified fiscal sponsor
  • Organizations must serve residents of Somerset, Wicomico, and/or Worcester Counties

Governance and Leadership

President: Erica Joseph has led CFES since January 2015. She joined the Foundation in 2003 and previously served as Program Officer, Development Director, and Vice President of Community Investment. Joseph holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Salisbury University and a Master of Science in Conservation Biology from the University of Maryland College Park. She was recognized by The Daily Record's Leading Women (2015) and Maryland's Top 100 Women (2018). Joseph hosts the monthly television show "Community Foundation Spotlight," interviewing executive directors from local nonprofits.

Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer: B. Sutton Mora

The Foundation employs 12 staff members who use their knowledge of the unique needs and assets of the Lower Eastern Shore to help donors achieve their charitable goals. CFES is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of area business and community leaders knowledgeable about the needs of the region.

Leadership Quotes

Erica Joseph on Community Needs Grants: "Our Community Needs Grants serve a wide array of programs that impact the Lower Shore community. This truly captures the spirit of grants made by the community, for the community, and allows so many nonprofits to grow their services."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

CFES uses an e-Grants system (cfesgrants.communityforce.com) that offers an enhanced grant application process where charities can:

  • Easily search for grants
  • View eligibility requirements
  • Prepare for deadlines
  • Apply for grants online
  • Track application status

Letter of Inquiry Option: If you are unsure which program is right for your organization, you can fill out a letter of inquiry and staff will respond about grant programs you are eligible for. This is a recommended first step to discuss eligibility and fit before submitting a full application.

Resources: CFES provides a Grantee Toolkit designed to assist nonprofits in the grant application process, including downloadable grant eligibility and exclusions documents.

Decision Timeline

Letters of Inquiry: All requests submitted by the 15th of the month will receive a decision the following month.

Grant-Specific Timelines:

  • Education Awards Grant Program: Application deadline typically in August/September each year
  • Women's Fund: Application cycle in spring each year
  • Community Needs Grant Program: Rolling deadline (applications accepted year-round)
  • Mini-Grants Program: Rolling basis

The Foundation awarded 176 grants in 2023, totaling $6,126,712.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, the Foundation describes the Education Grants as awarded through "a rigorous selection process."

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Applicants are encouraged to contact CFES staff directly to discuss feedback and future applications.

Application Success Factors

CFES-Specific Guidance

Start with a Conversation: The Foundation explicitly encourages organizations to submit a letter of inquiry if they are unsure which program fits their needs. This suggests CFES values relationship-building and matching organizations with the right funding opportunities.

Geographic Focus is Critical: All three grant programs emphasize serving the Lower Eastern Shore, specifically Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties. Applications must demonstrate clear benefit to residents of these counties.

Community Impact Focus: President Erica Joseph emphasizes grants "made by the community, for the community," suggesting applications should highlight local community input, involvement, and benefit.

Program vs. Operational Support: CFES emphasizes programmatic funding rather than operational support. Applications should focus on specific programs and their outcomes rather than general organizational operations.

Faith-Based Organizations Welcome: The Foundation explicitly welcomes faith-based organizations, but programs must be non-sectarian and serve the broader community, not just congregation members.

Recent Funded Projects as Examples:

Women's Fund 2025 Recipients:

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore – Team-building program using obstacle courses
  • Girls on the Run of the Greater Chesapeake – 30 scholarships for girls in grades 3-8
  • Lead4Life Inc. – Job coaching and CNA or cosmetology training for reentry program participants
  • Oshun's Garden – Support circle addressing gender-based violence
  • Salisbury Elite – Female-centered programs and women's self-care event

Education Awards Program:

  • Programs ranging from attendance improvement initiatives to STEM engagement
  • Classroom-based programs for pre-K through 12th grade
  • Projects that "empower local educators to bring unique initiatives to life, fostering enriched learning environments"

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Use the Letter of Inquiry process if you're uncertain about program fit – CFES staff will guide you to the appropriate funding stream, demonstrating the Foundation's collaborative approach
  • Keep grant requests at or below program maximums ($2,000 for Mini-Grants, $5,000 for most other programs) as these are firm caps
  • Emphasize direct community benefit to residents of Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties specifically – geographic focus is non-negotiable
  • Frame applications around specific programs and measurable outcomes rather than general operating support, as CFES focuses on programmatic funding
  • Highlight community engagement and local impact in line with the Foundation's "by the community, for the community" philosophy articulated by President Erica Joseph
  • Consider the Women's Fund for gender-focused initiatives and Education Awards for school-based programs as specialized funding streams with dedicated annual cycles
  • Be aware of strict exclusions – no capital campaigns, building projects, playground equipment, debt retirement, or ongoing operational expenses will be considered

References

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Join the Launch ListLearn More
← Back to US Funders Directory