Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor
The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore is a public charity based in Salisbury, Maryland. Established in 1984, it connects donors with charitable causes and supports local nonprofits through grants and other resources, serving Wicomico, Worcester, and Somerset Counties.
Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor at a glance
In short: Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor gave $8.0M across 238 grants in 2025 (avg $34K), mostly in Maryland. 25% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $8,008,101
- +29.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 238
- +28.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $33,647
- +0.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $13,642
- Total assets
- $198,762,465
- +10.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (57 of 231, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (92% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor
- Contact
Mailing address: 1324 Belmont Avenue 401, Salisbury, MD 21804-4558
Phone: (410) 742-9911
Website: https://cfes.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
13 open opportunities from Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor
CFES Community Needs Grant
Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
CFES Education Grants
Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
CFES Workforce Development Grant
Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor
Amount
Up to US $7,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was WOR-WIC Community College Foundation Inc ($663K). Together the top 10 received $2.6M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($43,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
788 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 655 grants of 788 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated service area is Wicomico, Worcester, and Somerset Counties on Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore. In filing year 2025, 92% of grant dollars went to recipients in Maryland; the other listed recipient states were Delaware (3%), the District of Columbia (1%), North Carolina (1%), and New York (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 238 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 57 of 231 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $42K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $18K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.2M (2021) to $8.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 238 grants totaling $8.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| WOR-WIC Community College Foundation Inc Salisbury, MD | Education | $663,465 |
| Horizons Delmarva Inc Salisbury, MD | Education | $375,540 |
| Wicomico Presbyterian Church Salisbury, MD | Faith Based Programs | $348,300 |
| Tidalhealth Foundation Inc Salisbury, MD | HEALTH | $260,597 |
| United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore Inc Salisbury, MD | Community Development | $205,291 |
| Worcester County Developmental Center Inc Newark, MD | Human Services | $173,787 |
| Worcester County Commission on Aging Inc Snow Hill, MD | Human Services | $165,000 |
| Salvation Army - Richard Hazel Youth Center Salisbury, MD | Human Services | $158,770 |
| Ocean City Paramedics Foundation Inc Ocean City, MD | HEALTH | $150,000 |
| Eastern Shore Dental Society State of Maryland Salisbury, MD | HEALTH | $135,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $198,762,465 | $17,564,499 | $10,370,247 | $8,008,101 | 238 | $7,403,359 |
| 2024 | $179,762,721 | $16,943,866 | $8,533,623 | $6,174,755 | 185 | $6,636,550 |
| 2023 | $159,381,501 | $13,185,530 | $7,632,340 | $5,457,348 | 176 | $4,760,041 |
| 2022 | $144,509,312 | $16,050,496 | $8,544,016 | $5,172,900 | 101 | $5,777,625 |
| 2021 | $160,822,135 | $10,565,125 | $6,254,513 | $3,218,407 | 88 | $3,792,672 |
| 2020 | $118,140,564 | $9,734,628 | $6,785,372 | $3,694,561 | 114 | $4,049,761 |
| 2019 | $122,900,381 | $9,741,528 | $7,457,204 | $4,519,062 | 115 | $4,292,150 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is “inspiring community philanthropy and connecting people who care with causes that matter.” Its 2024 filing describes support for education, human services, health-based programs, animal-related causes, arts, culture and humanities, community development, environmental quality and protection, beautification, faith-based programs, and youth.
The filing describes education support as including financial assistance and scholarships for schools, colleges, universities, and libraries, as well as support for nonprofit educational initiatives. It describes human-services grants as assisting organizations that provide emergency and social services, and health grants as supporting community programs and services.
Examples of grantees’ missions illustrate the range of organizations receiving support. Wor-Wic Community College Foundation says it serves charitable and educational purposes benefiting Wor-Wic Community College. Horizons Delmarva describes providing low-income public school students in Wicomico County with an intensive summer learning program and year-round support. United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore describes connecting residents in four counties with resources to strengthen health, education, and financial security. Worcester County Developmental Center describes creating opportunities for adults with developmental and physical disabilities to participate in community life. The Art League of Ocean City describes promoting artistic expression and appreciation for the creative arts.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 238 grants totaling $8,008,101. Grant amounts ranged from $5,123 to $663,465, with a median grant of $13,642. The largest awards included $663,465 to Wor-Wic Community College Foundation for education; $375,540 to Horizons Delmarva for education; $348,300 to Wicomico Presbyterian Church for faith-based programs; and $260,597 to TidalHealth Foundation for health. Other large grants included $205,291 to United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore for community development, $173,787 to Worcester County Developmental Center for human services, and $165,000 to Worcester County Commission on Aging for human services.
The foundation’s website provides an online portal to search grants, review eligibility requirements, apply, track application status, and submit reports. Its grantee toolkit includes application guidance and information on award acceptance and reporting. A Community Needs Grants listing describes awards of up to $10,000 for eligible nonprofits, qualifying faith-based organizations, and community programs within government agencies serving the Lower Eastern Shore. The listed April 2025 cycle, which distributed $295,000 to 45 nonprofits, is past. The listing also gives January 1, 2027 as a deadline; applicants should check the current program details. The foundation also lists a General Letter of Inquiry grant for IRS-designated nonprofits, governmental units, and schools.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Ed Barber, Dr. Richard Warren Jr., Gregory Tawes, Allen Brown Sr., Tyrone Mills, William McCain, Ginnie Malone, and Janice Perdue as directors; Dean Lewis as secretary; and Robin Evans as treasurer. The foundation’s press kit identifies Erica Joseph as president.
Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor is led by Erica Joseph, President on every filing since 2019; 3 of 28 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Erica Joseph
President
On filings since 2019
37.5 hrs/week
$121K (2019) → $154K (2025)
Velda Henry
Chairwoman
Director → Vice Chairman, 2022
Vice Chairman → Chairwoman, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allen Brown Sr.
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andy Kim
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Annette E. Wallace
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gayle Widdowson
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George I. Whitehead III
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ginnie Malone
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Tawes
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janice Perdue
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melody S. Nelson
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ed Barber
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sonya Whited
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tyrone Mills
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Phoebus
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William McCain
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gail Foltz
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Jones
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Mathers
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phyllis Mitchell
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sharone Grant
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lu Ann Goldsborough
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Warren Jr.
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Veronique Diriker
Chief Strategy Officer
On filings since 2024
37.5 hrs/week
$101K (2024) → $106K (2025)
Sharon Dickson
Vice President
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$103K (2025)
Daniel O'Connell II
Vice Chairman
Director → Vice Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dean Lewis
Secretary
Director → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robin Evans
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Carolyn Johnston (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Michael P. Truitt (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Dwight W. Marshall Jr. (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: James P. Jones (2019–2023) — Chairman
- Former: Julius Zant (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Stephanie Willey (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: James R. Thomas Jr. (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: W. Todd Hershey (2019–2022) — Secretary
- Former: David A. Vorhis (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Ernest R. Satchell (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Kathleen G. McLain (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Lauren C. Taylor (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: David Mitchell (2020) — Director
- Former: John Allen (2019) — Director
- Former: Thomas K. Coates (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $154K, to Erica Joseph (President). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor
How much does Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor give each year?
Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor gave $8.0M across 238 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $6.2M across 185 grants.
What is Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor's typical grant size?
Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor's median grant in 2025 was $13,642, and its average grant was $33,647, across 238 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor that year got $13K on average.
Where does Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor give grants?
Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor gives mostly in Maryland: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Salisbury, MD (97 grants), Berlin, MD (20 grants), Ocean City, MD (11 grants) and Snow Hill, MD (9 grants).
Does Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 238 grants with a stated purpose on Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education" (68 grants), "Human Services" (54 grants) and "Faith Based Programs" (28 grants).
Who are Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor's largest grantees?
Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor's largest 2025 grantees include WOR-WIC Community College Foundation Inc ($663,465), Horizons Delmarva Inc ($375,540) and Wicomico Presbyterian Church ($348,300), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($43,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor?
Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor reported $198.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $17.6M.
What does Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor fund?
The foundation’s mission is “inspiring community philanthropy and connecting people who care with causes that matter.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor?
Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check cfes.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor's EIN?
Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1326014. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 24, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 28, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 10, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 29, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-of-the-eastern-shor-morg_93e18b1b72914c018be9b237124699ce
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521326014_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-of-the-eastern-shor-morg_93e18b1b72914c018be9b237124699ce},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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