The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore aims to connect people who care to causes that matter, for the common good of the Lower Eastern Shore. As a 501c3 nonprofit, they have a rich history of fostering charitable endeavors, having provided $89 million in grants and scholarships since 1984. They work by matching the charitable interests of individuals, families, and businesses with community needs, focusing on strengthening local nonprofits through grants and resources to improve the regional community through the power of philanthropy.
The Community Needs grant program is designed to support a wide variety of charitable programs, aiming to adapt to the changing needs of community-serving grantees. Funding can be requested for either operational or programmatic purposes, with potential restrictions for organizations new to the grant programs. The process initiates with a letter of inquiry, where applicants should detail their organization's regional impact, funding needs, and how the funds will be used. The maximum application amount is set at $10,000.