How much funding does CFES Education Grants provide?

CFES Education Grants provides Up to US $5,000 in funding.

When is the deadline for CFES Education Grants?

This grant has a rolling deadline or the deadline has not been announced.

Who is eligible for CFES Education Grants?

Eligible applicants: Two per school, with a focus on projects that can be replicated and become self-sustaining. Not funded: Fundraising campaigns; Playground equipment; Faculty/staff compensation; Office equipment.

CFES Education Grants

Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor

Foundation Grants for Teachers Grants for Education Grants for K-12 Schools Small Grants for Nonprofits

Funding Amount

Up to US $5,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

Foundation

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

Two per school, with a focus on projects that can be replicated and become self-sustaining
To verify your MSDE approved nonpublic school's eligibility please click here.
Applicants MUST be Public or MSDE approved nonpublic schools serving pre-k through 12th grade students on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland (specifically Somerset, Wicomico and/or Worcester County).
APPLICATION LIMIT: Two (2) Applications per school.

Other requirements

Exceptions may be made for collaborative projects serving more than one school (please contact our staff before applying).

Not eligible / not funded

Not eligible: This program gives lowest priority to requests for: Capital Expenditures.
Not eligible: Field Trips/Assemblies.
Not eligible: Fundraising campaigns
Not eligible: Playground equipment
Not eligible: Faculty/staff compensation
Not eligible: Office equipment
Not eligible: Equipment purchases (such as computers) will only be considered if they are essential to the program and cannot be otherwise obtained (i.e. normally included in school budget).
Not eligible: Field trips/assemblies must be part of a larger project with a direct and measurable impact on learning.
Not eligible: Please note: Boards of Education are not eligible for this grant cycle.

Overview

The CFES Education Grant Program supports teacher-led projects in public and MSDE approved nonpublic schools on Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore. It emphasizes creativity, strong leadership support, and measurable success. Applications are limited to two per school, with a focus on projects that can be replicated and become self-sustaining. Priority is given to innovative educational initiatives rather than capital expenditures or field trips. Awardees are celebrated at a special reception each November.

The Education Grant Program provides program support to a broad range of teacher led classroom and school wide projects. Education grants are reviewed/approved annually in the Fall. A special reception for awardees takes place in November.
Creativity in meeting an identified challenge/need;
A plan for evaluation to measure the success of the project;
Shows potential to become self-sustaining; and
Makes a strong connection between the proposed project and student success and well-being

Eligibility

To verify your MSDE approved nonpublic school's eligibility please click here.Applicants MUST be Public or MSDE approved nonpublic schools serving pre-k through 12th grade students on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland (specifically Somerset, Wicomico and/or Worcester County). APPLICATION LIMIT: Two (2) Applications per school. Exceptions may be made for collaborative projects serving more than one school (please contact our staff before applying).

Ineligibility

This program gives lowest priority to requests for: Capital ExpendituresField Trips/AssembliesPreviously Funded Programs (Requests to replicate successful programs funded in previous grant cycles are eligible to apply if the program is not at the same school)This program DOES NOT fund fundraising campaigns, playground equipment, faculty/staff compensation or office equipment. Equipment purchases (such as computers) will only be considered if they are essential to the program and cannot be otherwise obtained (i.e. normally included in school budget).Field trips/assemblies must be part of a larger project with a direct and measurable impact on learning.Please note: Boards of Education are not eligible for this grant cycle.

What Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

Grants in 2025: 238
Total given: $8.01M
Median grant: $14K
Range: $5,123–$663K

By dollars: Maryland 92%, Delaware 3%, District of Columbia <1%. Top recipient cities: Salisbury, MD; Berlin, MD; Ocean City, MD.
0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
26% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

WOR-WIC Community College Foundation Inc · Salisbury, MD

Education

$663K
Horizons Delmarva Inc · Salisbury, MD

Education

$376K
Wicomico Presbyterian Church · Salisbury, MD

Faith based programs

$348K
Tidalhealth Foundation Inc · Salisbury, MD

Health

$261K
United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore Inc · Salisbury, MD

Community development

$205K