The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore (CFES) was established in 1984 with two grantees, $2,000 in grants and one scholarship fund. The first endowment funds were established and the first grants were awarded just one year later.
This year marks the organization’s fortieth anniversary.
The history of the foundation is “really an example of the type of commitment and generosity of the community,” said CFES President Erica Joseph.
In just three years – in 1987 – the foundation grew from serving the Salisbury area to all three lower counties – Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset. Today, the CFES has 577 grantees and $6.8 million in funding, which includes 225 scholarships and 869 funds.
With 8,303 donors since its inception (1,120 donors today), CFES has awarded a total of $114.4 million.
Those are some impressive numbers but how does CFES make it all work?
According to Joseph, “the day-to-day work is sitting with individuals to help them make the most impact in what they want to be part of.” Members of the community come to CFES with cash, checks, stocks and more to invest on the lower Eastern Shore.
Investments are made with growth in mind. From that growth, investments are reinvested into the community to keep giving back. Other income can be made into grants to support a variety of causes. Any granted funds are provided only after extensive review by more than 50 volunteer grant committees. At the end of the process the impact is made where donors would like it to be.
“We focus on the strength and effectiveness of our non-profit partners. They’re serving the community on the ground. If those organizations are strong, it helps us make a greater impact partnering alongside them,” Joseph explains.
She sees the work of CFES as that of a connector, bringing together legitimate organizations and the people who want to fund them for the betterment of the area.
How do people connect with CFES to engage in this process? According to Joseph there are many ways to make a connection but the foundation’s success has largely been on referrals from officers with non-profit groups and attorneys who have an established relationship.
However, Joseph emphasized that anyone can be philanthropic through CFES.
Director of Marketing and Communications Victoria Kent agreed. “Even a small donation can help towards a bigger picture. We do funding for pretty much every cause that you could imagine.”
Whether its an established fund or a group of interested individuals coming together for a cause, anyone can make a difference in the part of the community they care about the most.
“There’s a strong ripple effect in our work,” Kent added.
CFES helps to establish and manage giving circles, which are a team approach to philanthropy where people with the same goal come together. The circles vary in size and provide not only funding but engagement, the sharing of expertise and overall connectedness. Two primary giving circles currently in operation at CFES include The Women’s Fund and the Black Excellence Community Fund.
The foundation also serves as “the area’s philanthropic experts,” Kent said.
Helping volunteers find a place where they can donate their time and talents is part of their connector strategy. CFES also helps organizations with capacity building and increasing efficiency.
Much has changed since 1984. According to Joseph technology has grown opportunities for participation and enabled the foundation to engage a wider demographic via more platforms in which they can share their stories of impact. Embracing that growth in their strategic planning process, the foundation wants to keep increasing the ease with which people can access giving and connecting to philanthropy locally.
Both Kent and Joseph envision the next 40 years as a time of ongoing success and continuation of consistency. The foundation is ready to help the next generation invest in the future.
“That consistency and that trust has helped folks know that we’re going to be here,” Joseph said. “The power of permanence is what got us to the past 40 years and will give us the next 40 years,” Kent added.
December is the season of giving and there are endless opportunities to make a difference. The choices can be challenging to navigate so Joseph recommends contacting the foundation for tips on charitable giving and, if needed, advice on how to connect to quality organizations with confidence.
For more information on the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, visit www.cfes.org or call 410-742-9911.
