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Mid-Shore Community Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$7.5M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,456,451 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Variable (decisions made throughout the year)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $100,000
  • Geographic Focus: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, and Talbot Counties, Maryland
  • Total Assets: $123 million in charitable assets

Contact Details

Address: The Bullitt House, 102 East Dover Street, Easton, Maryland 21601

Phone: (410) 820-8175

Email: info@mscf.org

Website: www.mscf.org

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Grant Application Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=midshore

Key Contacts:

  • W.W. "Buck" Duncan, President - wduncan@mscf.org, Ext. 100
  • Lucretia Greene-Adams, Director of Scholarships & Community Impact - ladams@mscf.org, Ext. 106

Overview

Established in 1992 with a $236,000 bequest, the Mid-Shore Community Foundation has grown to become a significant regional funder managing 566 charitable funds and $123 million in assets. The Foundation distributed $7.46 million in grants and charitable expenses in 2024, making 141 awards to nonprofit organizations across its five-county service area. Since its founding, the Foundation has awarded more than $78.4 million in grants and scholarships. The organization earned a 4/4 Star rating on Charity Navigator with a score of 100%, indicating strong financial accountability. The Foundation's mission is to connect private resources with public needs to enhance quality of life throughout the Mid-Shore Region, supporting a broad range of community needs from health and education to arts and human services.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General MSCF Grants: $5,000 - $100,000

  • Broad-based community grants supporting health, education, youth, elderly, human services, arts, culture, and other community needs
  • Application period: July 1 - October 1
  • Decisions made throughout the year
  • Apply through the Online Grants Portal

Caroline Foundation: Variable amounts

  • Focused exclusively on medical and health-related services in Caroline County
  • Does not fund capital projects
  • Application deadline: July 1st
  • Grants awarded in November

Scholarship Programs: $1.7 million annually

  • College scholarships for needy and deserving students
  • Support for nontraditional students
  • Various scholarship funds with specific eligibility criteria

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports a diverse range of community needs including:

  • Health: Medical services, hospice care, health education
  • Education: Public schools, independent schools, public libraries, youth programs
  • Children & Youth: Sports, arts programs, summer camps, mentoring, extracurricular activities
  • Elderly: Support services for senior citizens
  • Animals: Humane societies and animal welfare organizations
  • Arts & Culture: Performing arts venues, museums, cultural institutions
  • Human Services: Basic needs, social services, community support organizations

Past grantees include Caroline County Humane Society, Cambridge Community Radio, Compass Regional Hospice, The Mainstay (performing arts venue), and Mid-Shore Early Learning Center.

What They Don't Fund

  • Caroline Foundation specifically: Capital projects
  • Geographic restrictions: Organizations must serve Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, or Talbot Counties
  • Eligibility: Only nonprofit organizations with IRS tax-exempt status or government-related entities

Governance and Leadership

Officers

  • Moorhead Vermilye - Board Chair
  • Alice Ryan - Vice Chair
  • Carrie Manuel - Treasurer
  • David Nagel - Assistant Treasurer
  • Andy Meehan - Secretary

Board of Directors (30 members from across the Mid-Shore Region)

Joe Anthony, JoAnn Asparagus-Murray, Heather Bacher, Leslie Bishop, Kevin Cashen, Suze Chaffinch, Wayne Cole, LaMonte Cooke, Kathy Deoudes, Ronnie Edelman, Stephanie Folarin, George Fox, Linda Friday, Aaron Gabrielian, Heather Guerieri, Peter Hyman, Kirk Helfenbein, Ruth Ann Jones, Rich Loeffler, Harriette Lowery, Greg Meekins, Nancy Mugele, Peggy Rennels, Tolbert Rowe, Otis Sampson, Brett Summers, Arraminta Ware

Staff

  • W.W. "Buck" Duncan - President
  • Mary Windsor - Director of Finance & Operations
  • Heather Pickens - Director of Marketing & Community Engagement
  • Lucretia Greene-Adams - Director of Scholarships & Community Impact
  • Liz LaCorte - Director of Philanthropy
  • Dawn B. Mister - Data Entry Clerk

Leadership Philosophy

President Buck Duncan emphasizes persistence and relationship-building: "If an organization does not get funded the first time, it is not one and done, as they will be brought back again as more funding becomes available." This indicates the Foundation maintains ongoing relationships with applicants and takes a long-term view of supporting the region's nonprofits. Duncan describes the Foundation's work as focused on "quality of life" in the mid-shore area and has noted his concern about ensuring the nonprofit landscape remains strong and sustainable.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Create an Account: Register at the Online Grants Portal (https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=midshore)
  2. Application Window: July 1 - October 1
  3. Single Application: Your application will be considered for all funding opportunities for which you meet eligibility
  4. One Grant Cycle Per Year: The Foundation has one annual grant cycle

Decision Timeline

  • Decisions are made throughout the year (no single announcement date)
  • For Caroline Foundation specifically: Applications due July 1, grants awarded in November
  • 141 awards were made in 2024; 115 in 2023; 120 in 2022

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Foundation made 141 awards in 2024 from their $7.46 million in total giving. With grants ranging from $5,000-$100,000, this suggests a competitive but accessible process.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation explicitly encourages reapplication. President Buck Duncan states: "If an organization does not get funded the first time, it is not one and done, as they will be brought back again as more funding becomes available." This indicates:

  • Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to reapply
  • The Foundation maintains relationships with previous applicants
  • No waiting period between applications is mentioned
  • Organizations are considered as new funding becomes available

Application Success Factors

Direct Guidance from the Foundation

Persistence is Valued: Buck Duncan's statement that unfunded organizations "will be brought back again as more funding becomes available" suggests the Foundation values organizations that demonstrate sustained commitment to their mission and persistence in seeking support.

Geographic Connection is Critical: All funding must serve Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, or Talbot Counties. Organizations should clearly demonstrate their impact within these specific communities.

Broad Community Needs Supported: The Foundation's portfolio includes everything from "dogs, cats, hospices, CASA, Academy of Arts, Maritime Museum," indicating they take a holistic view of community needs rather than narrow focus areas.

Quality of Life Focus: The Foundation consistently emphasizes enhancing "quality of life" as their central goal. Applications should connect their work to tangible quality of life improvements in the Mid-Shore region.

What Makes Applications Stand Out

  • Local Impact: Clear demonstration of service to one or more of the five Mid-Shore counties
  • Community Support: Evidence of community backing and relevance
  • Organizational Stability: As a 4-star Charity Navigator organization themselves, they likely value financial accountability and organizational health
  • Relationship Building: The Foundation's emphasis on bringing organizations "back again" suggests they value ongoing engagement beyond single transactions
  • Diverse Needs: The Foundation supports a remarkably broad spectrum of causes, so organizations shouldn't self-select out based on narrow interpretation of priorities

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Serving areas outside the five-county region
  • For Caroline Foundation: Requesting capital project funding
  • Not having proper 501(c)(3) status or government entity designation
  • Missing the July 1 - October 1 application window

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Wide Eligibility: The Foundation supports an unusually broad range of causes across health, education, youth, elderly, animals, arts, and human services—don't self-select out
  • Geographic Precision: You must serve Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, or Talbot Counties; clearly demonstrate your local impact
  • Think Long-Term: Buck Duncan's guidance about bringing organizations back indicates they're building long-term relationships, not just making one-time grants
  • Single Application Window: Mark your calendar for July 1 - October 1; there's only one grant cycle annually
  • Don't Give Up: The Foundation explicitly encourages reapplication if you're not funded initially—persistence is valued
  • Connect to Quality of Life: Frame your work in terms of tangible quality of life improvements for Mid-Shore residents
  • Consider Multiple Funds: Your single application is considered for all funds you're eligible for, potentially increasing your chances

References

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