Community Needs Letter of Inquiry Grant

Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore
As leaders, grant makers, and stewards of philanthropy, the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore connects people who care to causes that matter for the common good of the Lower Eastern Shore. We are a 501c3 nonprofit with an inspiring history of fostering charitable endeavors, and have provided more than $123 million in grants and scholarships to the local community since 1984. We collaborate with individuals, families, and businesses to match their charitable interests with community needs and strengthen local nonprofits through grants and resources.
The Community Needs grant supports a broad range of charitable programs. CFES aims to meet the evolving needs of our grantees as they work to serve our communities. Applicants may request support for operations or programs. However, limitations may apply and some organizations, particularly those new to our grant programs, may be restricted to programmatic requests. If this is the case, staff will provide direction after the letter of inquiry review. This grant program will start with a LETTER OF INQUIRY. It will be important to explain in your Letter of Inquiry the impact your organization makes in our region, the amount requested, and intended use of funds. Invited applicants will submit final applications.
Limitations
Out of area applicants must be actively serving citizens of Wicomico, Worcester, and/or Somerset Counties and must contact the Foundation prior to applying to determine eligibility. Applications must discuss and provide evidence of local impact.
Organizations new to CFES may not be eligible for operational support and may be limited to a lower grant maximum. We will communicate any restrictions or concerns upon reviewing your letter of inquiry.
Places of worship may request programmatic support for non-sectarian work (community programming accessible to all and not limited to congregation members).
Government agencies may request programmatic support.
Pre-K through 12 schools may request support through our annual Education Grants program.
To ensure resources remain available for new organizations or projects, repeat requests (requested funding for the same organization or project year after year) may be limited to a lower award maximum or denied in competitive grant cycles.

Eligibility

Applicants must be 501c3 nonprofit organizations, places of worship providing nonsectarian community programming, or government entities. Applicants must be established for a minimum of two years, serving citizens of Maryland's Somerset, Wicomico and/or Worcester Counties currently and for at least two years.Collaborative projects may be eligible for a higher grant maximum – please clearly specify collaborative partnerships in your letter of inquiry.

Ineligibility

We cannot make grants to individuals. Our grant programs generally do not fund:Athletic Facility InfrastructureAthletic Field MaintenanceBuilding CampaignsCapital RequestsDebt RetirementEndowment FundsFundraising CampaignsNonprofit Start Up Fees (e.g. 501c3 Articles of Incorporation or Form 1023 Filing Fees)Operational DeficitsPartisan Political ActivitiesPolitical Lobbying ActivitiesPlayground EquipmentSectarian Religious ProgramsOperational funds for government agencies or places of worshipGovernment agencies and places of worship may request programmatic funding for programs serving the community (not limited to congregation members).