Pillar Newsletter Fall 2023 - The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore

410-742-9911 • CFES.org

Pillar

In This Issue Inspiring Impact

A peek into the lives your Community Foundation is changing

Ballistic Vests for Paramedics

Donor advisors join together to support Salisbury Paramedics

Donor Spotlight: Veronique Diriker Combining a Giving Heart With a Career Passion

Black Excellence Community Fund Celebrating Black Philanthropy Month

Investment Breakfast

Fund holders gather to learn about investment performance

The Lower Shore Nonprofit Summit

The region’s largest nonprofit professional development event

A Spotlight On Students

A glimpse at recent scholarship recipients

The Women’s Fund

Celebrating grantees at the spring reception

Around the Foundation The latest news from the CFES office

New Funds & Scholarships Connecting donors to impact

1324 Belmont Ave Ste. 401 • Salisbury, Maryland 21804

FALL 2023

message from the

PRESIDENT

Celebrating

$6.1 million in grants & scholarships to the local community in FY23!

Greetings from your team at the Community Foundation.

Spring and summer were filled with activities, events, and impact to bring the CFES donors, volunteers ,and staff together. We are now looking forward to the 39th Annual Meeting, to be held on November 3rd at the Wicomico Civic Center. Registration will be open at www.cfes.org/RSVP by October 1st. Please join us and bring a friend!

While our software transition was a key focus last year, our core work continued to focus on what matters most – local impact. Last year, funds at CFES granted more than $6 million in grants and scholarships. We also continued to find creative ways to support the nonprofit sector through training and capacity building, to strengthen operations, governance, finance, human resources, and more.

Through the engagement of a vibrant and diverse network of local nonprofits is one of the ways CFES inspires community philanthropy. The quality of life in our region is a direct result of the effort of hundreds of nonprofit organizations and thousands of volunteers in our region. We ask that you please support these local nonprofits on Giving Tuesday at ShoreGivesMore.org on November 28th.

We appreciate the opportunity to help you meet your charitable goals and ask that you consider a gift to the Community Foundation as part of your annual giving. This is the easiest way to support the work of our organization each and every day. You can make a gift online at CFES.org/donate, by check, or stock gift. This is also our friendly reminder that with the giving season upon us, CFES is your local expert in philanthropy, and we appreciate the opportunity to assist you.

Warmest regards,

E ri c a

Erica Joseph, President, CFES

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SAVE THE DATE The 2023

Annual Meeting & Report to the Community

NOV. 3RD ELEVEN THIRTY IN THE MORNING THE WICOMICO CIVIC CENTER • SALISBURY, MD

Join Us! Friends of the Foundation

Friends of the Foundation bring energy, knowledge, and passion to the Community Foundation’s work.

Their support allows us to go beyond grant making and empowers the Foundation to serve as a local resource through a variety of programs, services, and the expertise of our dynamic staff. Becoming a member is as easy as making a gift to the Annual Appeal in any amount or establishing an Administrative Endowment Fund at the Foundation. Learn more at CFES.org/friends

Inspiring Impact At CFES we dream of a community where all can live, learn, work, create, and prosper. Check out these snapshots to see how your Community Foundation is creating an impact with your support!

’s Unified wer Shore nts with o L d n la s of Mary pairs local stude ay of d t al Olympic The Speci e ball tournamen powering , inclusive cc m o e b n a s rt in o s p S ie ut disabilit and witho fun! ve competiti

ore partners with Lower Eastern Shram, which inspires e th of ay W d n prog The Unite e Girls on the Ru their inner schools to offer thties to recognize and embrace others. A th girls of all abili ake meaning ful connec tions wi g race. streng th and m ed fuel this group before their bi CFES grant help

The City of Salisbury received a Workforce Development grant for its 8-week employment opportunity. Students participate in learning and mentoring activities to give them skills and knowledge for post-graduation success.

The Mizzle House Foundation used a CFES grant to build its new Hoop Bus, a free traveling one-stop recreation spot outfitted with a basketball hoop and soon to be filled with arts activities, games, and a mobile podcast station.

CFES grants su ppor ted critica to the historic Costen House l restoration and repairs Museum in Po helping to pr com es and importan er ve this heritage tourism oke City, t part of the Ci destination ty ’s histor y.

vies a hosted Watermen, Mo Beach to Bay Heritage Are Eastern Shore Stoytelling An and the Fight for Freedomto many ways they strive the of one is s Thi nt.

Eve e. tural heritag promote and preser ve cul

Want to be featured in The Pillar?

Email your impact photos to vkent@CFES.ORG

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GRANTS WILL HELP FUND BALLISTIC VESTS FOR SALISBURY PARAMEDICS

Firefighter/EMT Remington Plunkert wears a ballistic vest.

The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore and donors recently granted $73,000 to the Salisbury Fire Department to fund ballistic vests needed to protect paramedics and fire fighters who are exposed to risk as they provide life-saving support to the community.

Additional funding is still needed to meet the estimated $90,000 needed to outfit department personnel.

The grant came from the following funds held at the Community Foundation: M.W. & Barrie Tilghman, Jr. Fund, Jim & Jan Perdue Fund, Tony & Donna Gilkerson Fund, Bobbi Biron Fund for Wicomico County, Richard & Patricia Hazel Fund, First Shore Federal Savings & Loan Association Fund, Perdue Family Fund. An additional gift was made by the Perdue Family Charitable Trust.

To learn more about the need or to contribute to ballistic vest funding, please contact the Salisbury Fire Department at 410-548-3120 for more information.

The ballistic vests will help protect paramedics and fire fighters during active shooting events, domestic violence incidents, crisis intervention scenarios, and other dangerous situations. The need for vests became increasingly apparent after recent violent incidents in Salisbury where paramedics had to be shielded by police to reach victims with lifesaving treatment.

“Over the course of several months, our personnel have been placed in harm’s way while treating injured civilians,” states Salisbury Fire Department Chief John Tull. “With personnel unprotected, we have had to retreat back to Fire/EMS units due to large crowds and unruly individuals, ultimately delaying treatment for victims.”

Pictured left to right: Donor Advisor Mitzi Perdue, Donor Advisor Tony Gilkerson, Firefighter/EMT Corey Allensworth, Fire Chief John Tull, Sergeant Brandon Records, Firefighter/EMT James Gardiner, Assistant Chief Rob Frampton, CFES President Erica Joseph, Captain David Haines, CFES Program Officer Lauren Ansted, Firefighter/EMT Remington Plunkert (wearing a ballistic vest), Deputy Chief Darrin Scott, Deputy Chief Chris O’Barsky.

Veronique Diriker: Combining a Giving Heart With a Career Passion

CFES’s Chief Advancement Officer Veronique Diriker with husband Memo Diriker.

Veronique Diriker combines career with passion at The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore. As Chief Advancement Officer, she works with donors in the community who have a 4

devotion to giving back. “It is rewarding to work with people who are so passionate and generous,” stated Veronique. To her, helping others is not just a job but a privilege.

dation. Her passion for the arts led her and her husband, Memo, to create the Arts and Abilities Fund at the Community Foundation designed to help artists with disabilities.

Veronique first found this calling when she moved from France to the United States in 1981. “Growing up in France, there was no need for philanthropy, the government took care of people’s needs,” she expressed. When she came to the United States and saw it was communities that were really involved with helping people in need, she found a love for philanthropy. She exhibits this through being an active member of the Women’s Fund Giving Circle, Black Excellence Giving Circle, and an annual donor to the Community Foun-

Veronique is pursuing her certificate in Rural Health and Social Inequities from The University of Maryland Eastern Shore and plans to continue to advance philanthropy in the community. Veronique and Memo also hope to leave a legacy through the funds they have created at Salisbury University, UMES, and CFES. Veronique encourages everyone to get involved with the community and support local causes that interest them. “Helping people in need is so uplifting. It is good for your health and makes you a happier person!”

The Black Excellence Community Fund, a Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore Giving Circle, celebrated Black Philanthropy Month by awarding grants to three Lower Shore Nonprofits. The dinner was held at the Wicomico County Civic Center on August 5th. The grants benefit local black-led nonprofits which impact the quality of life for their community.

Each organization received a $500 grant for their work.

Grantees were Young Elites of the Eastern Shore West to East Coast Aviation Network (Y.E.E.S. W.E. C.A.N.), SchooLARS 4 STEM, and Faith Over Fear Economic Empowerment, Inc.

Celebrating Black Philanthropy Month

The event also highlighted recent proclamations from Wicomico County officials designating August as Black Philanthropy Month, along with a citation from the Maryland General Assembly which honored BECF for philanthropic community support during Black Philanthropy Month.

BECF was created in 2022 with goals to preserve cultural awareness and pride by expanding the benefits of education, health, and welfare in the Black Community, while teaching the values of philanthropy. Members work together through the power of collective philanthropy to create a positive impact. To get involved or learn more visit CFES.org/becf.

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INVESTMENT BREAKFAST 2023 AUGUST 10TH 2023 • WICOMICO CIVIC CENTER, SALISBURY, MD

CFES fund representatives, professional advisors, and staff attended the annual Investment Breakfast on August 10th at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in Salisbury.

Barry Beach, Senior Managing Director at Mason Investment Advisory Services, provided information on the Foundation’s investment strategy, historical performance, and investment trends. Ronald Taylor, Portfolio Specialist with T. Rowe Price Associates, presented firmwide information about T. Rowe Price and its U.S. Large-Cap Growth Fund.

When you invest in our community by contributing to a fund at the Community Foundation, our disciplined investment strategy guides our board, investment committee, staff, and investment consultant. The Foundation follows a long-term strategy built on diversification to help fund current needs and to support our community for generations to come. All of this is made possible by your continued confidence in the Foundation, and we thank you for your ongoing support.

Dan O’Connell, Managing Partner at PKS & Company, guest speaker Roland Taylor, Vice President of T Rowe Price Group, and Dr. Julius Zant.

Barry Beach, Senior Managing Director at Mason Investment Advisory Services and Jim Jones, CFES Chairman & Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager at First Shore Federal.

The Lower Shore Nonprofit Summit

Over 125 professionals and students attended the 2023 Nonprofit Summit: Together, for Good, the region’s largest nonprofit professional development opportunity. Held April 28th, the sold-out conference, hosted by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore (CFES), the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore (UWLES), and Salisbury University’s Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (PACE), kicked off with an inspiring keynote address from Maryland Governor Wes Moore.

A full day of breakout sessions covered nonprofit sustainability, strategic planning, cultural competence, inclusiveness, social enterprises, emotional intelligence, and more. The event was sponsored by CareFirst and Delmarva Power, An Exelon company. Nonprofit professionals interested in attending should stay tuned for details from CFES and UWLES about next year’s event.

Community Foundation and United Way staff gather after working the summit.

Erica Joseph, CFES President, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, United Way President & CEO Pam Gregory, Sandy Pope, PACE Director & Associate Professor Salisbury University.

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Speaker Molly Hilligoss with Shawna Kearsley.

Keynote speaker Maryland Governor Wes Moore.

Attendees Ana Maria Lema Olivares (Tri County Mediation), Aurelio Giannitti (Wico.

Public Library), Elise Trelegan, & Natalie Bennett (1 Year to Empowerment).

CFES board member Velda Henry and Debbi Dean Colley, Assateague Coastal Trust.

Over 125 nonprofit representatives attended the sold out event.

Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Services staff Jackie Davis, Cheryl Meadows, and Jane Hoy.

Scholarships A SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENTS

More than $549,000 has been awarded to 400+ deserving local students throughout the three county region during the 2023 fiscal year. These scholarships are made possible through permanent endowment funds held at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.

The vision and generosity of our scholarship fund donors support local students to achieve their higher education dreams, reward student effort, and help grow a workforce ready to meet the needs of future employers. Here are just a few highlights!

Jacob Yankalunas

Widenerson Moise

Faith Hall

Snow Hill High School Korryn P. Whited Memorial Scholarship Hancock Family Scholarship

James M. Bennett High School John H. Dulany Memorial Scholarship

Crisfield High School Richard & Patricia Hazel Minority Scholarship

Willa Novelli

Awab Abdallah

Ella Esham

Stephen Decatur High School Hunter Hudson Memorial Scholarship

Parkside High School VFW Eastside Memorial Post 2996 Scholarship

Pocomoke High School Susan Byrd Pusey Memorial Scholarship 7

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE EASTERN SHORE The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore’s Women’s Fund recently awarded $65,000 to nonprofits for support of programs that address the unmet needs of women and girls in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. The Women’s Fund is a Giving Circle which allows members to have a team-approach to philanthropy and charitable networking.

2023 marked the largest grant making year to date thanks to a challenge grant made by Carolyn Elmore. Members and grantees celebrated at a luncheon held at Dove Pointe.

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Grantee Reception

The 2023 Community Foundation Women’s Fund grant recipients are 1 Year to Empowerment, The Art League of Ocean City, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore, Catholic Charities Seton Center, Chesapeake Housing Mission, Epoch Dream Center, Faith Over Fear Economic Empowerment Inc., Grace Center for Maternal and Women’s Health, Help and Outreach Point of Entry (H.O.P.E.), Holy Pickers Center, Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Services, Unstoppable Joy Co., Village of Hope, Wicomico County Health Department, Women Supporting Women, and Worcester County GOLD (Giving Other Lives Dignity).

Access AROUND THE Your Fund FOUNDATION Online

Highlights from The CFES offices, staff, and board members!

Erica Joseph and husband Jeremy, along with Lauren Ansted and husband Glen built a ramp in partnership with Chesapeake Housing Mission.

As of April 23 we have invited all fund holders to access their fund online at CFES.spectrumportal.net. If you have not received an email with instructions on setting up your account, please contact David Plotts (dplotts@cfes.org).

Our new platform allows fund holders to view their fund activity online, make grant requests, view reports, and more.

Give More for Less!

ENDOW MARYLAND Endow Maryland provides an incentive for Marylanders to give back to their local communities. Your gifts to CFES Community Needs Funds or Field of Interest Funds may qualify for a 25% tax credit on your Maryland tax return.

You can make a difference, and we can help you connect to the causes you care most about.

CFES staff and family attended the Delmarva Shorebird’s Float for the Fund night, which benefits the Fly Together Fund held at the Community Foundation. Through their fund the Shorebirds are able to benefit many community organizations.

Give Year Round With The

ANNUAL APPEAL

The 2024 fiscal year started July 1st! Please consider a gift to the Community Foundation’s annual appeal. Those making annual appeal gifts before June 30th of each year are recognized as Friends of the Foundation. Your support provides for the programs and services that make our community stronger.

Qualified Charitable Distributions

THE GIFT OF A LIFETIME

It’s easier than ever to make the gift of a lifetime! CFES can help turn your individual retirement accounts (IRAs) into tax-saving charitable gifts. Your retirement funds can go further than ever before to make a difference in our community. Giving is one of life’s pleasures; we can help you enjoy it today.

SAVE THE DATE: NOV. 28TH NONPROFITS: REGISTER BY OCT. 31 Giving Tuesday is held each year on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, and is an online international giving movement. The local campaign, known as The Shore Gives More, is hosted by CFES and assists nonprofits serving the Lower Shore counties with their fundraising efforts. By providing an online donation portal, marketing campaigns, and nonprofit support, the campaign has helped local nonprofits raise $1.2 million!

For participation & registration information visit

ShoreGivesMore.org 9

Thank You 2023

Sponsors

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new funds & scholarships April 2023 - August 2023

The Judith M. Allen Memorial Fund Donor Advised Fund

The Burangi Total Health Village Fund

To provide support for projects of the Burangi Total Health Village in Kenya through the Salisbury Sunrise Rotary Club Foundation.

W. Brice Foxwell Memorial Scholarship Fund

A scholarship for graduating seniors of Mardela Middle and High School playing for the Mardela baseball team.

City of Salisbury Homelessness Fund

To be used by the City of Salisbury Housing and Community Development Department in addressing homelessness.

M.A.L. Impact Fund Donor Advised Fund

Salisbury Paramedic Foundation Fund

To support charitable causes supporting first responders and the needs of the paramedics serving the Salisbury region.

Stephen Decatur Alumni Association Fund

To benefit Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin.

Spirit Foundation Scholarship Fund

To support their commitment to education through scholarships.

Donna & James Clay Thompson Fund Community Needs Fund

UPCOMING

EVENTS

Giving Tuesday Information Session • Sept. 28 • 1PM • Hybrid

Join us to learn all about this year’s Giving Tuesday event and how to participate with us.

Grant Writing 101 Sept. 26 & Nov. 14 • 11AM • Virtual Grant writers and grant makers share what they know about what works and how to increase your chances of success.

Nonprofit Board 101 • Oct. 12 • 11AM • Virtual Workshop will cover the basic best practices for building, retaining, and engaging your nonprofit board of Directors.

Nonprofit Compliance • Virtual Sept. 20 & Nov. 9 • 11AM Learn key information to maintain compliance with federal and Maryland state nonprofit laws and regulations.

Nonprofit Finance 101 Oct. 3 & Nov. 21 • 11AM • Virtual This session will cover the basics of budgeting, accounting, reporting, and internal controls for nonprofits.

Nonprofit Fundraising 101 Sept. 21 & Nov. 16 • 11AM • Virtual Participants will learn about funding resources and implementing fundraising practices that will engage and retain donors.

Starting a Nonprofit/Best Practices • Oct. 24 • 9AM • CFES For nonprofit leaders that are interested in or have recently received 501(c)(3) status. Discussion about the most important steps to strengthening a new nonprofit.

Strategic Planning Oct. 26 • 11AM • Virtual Nov. 7 • 9AM • CFES Offices in person This workshop will cover management tools you can use to create a strategic plan for your organization.

Wicomico Presbyterian Church Endowment

Nov. 3 • Annual Meeting • Civic Center • 11:30AM - 1:30PM

To support the operations of the Church.

Nov. 28 • Giving Tuesday 2023 • Save the Date

Wicomico Presbyterian Church Mem. Fund

Dec. 15 • Recommended Date to Initiate 2023 Stock Gifts!

To support Church Programs.

Interested in Creating a Fund?

Contact Veronique Diriker 410.742.9911 • VDiriker@CFES.org

Grant & Award Deadlines Workforce Development Grant - Oct. 1st Community Needs Grant LOI - Jan. 22nd Mini Grant Deadline – 15th of Every Month All funding requests that are outside of our current open grant programs require a Letter of Inquiry submission. Eligible organizations may submit a Letter of Inquiry on a rolling application deadline.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS James P. Jones, Chairman Velda E. Henry, Vice Chairman M. Dean Lewis, Treasurer Dwight W. Marshall, Jr., Secretary

1324 Belmont Ave Ste 401 Salisbury, Maryland 21804

Edward Barber Allen C. Brown, Sr. Robin L. Evans Dr. Carolyn S. Johnston Andy Kim Ginnie H. Malone Tyrone E. Mills William R. McCain Melody S. Nelson Daniel M. O’Connell Janice M. Perdue John K. Phoebus Gregory D. Tawes Michael P. Truitt Dr. Annette E. Wallace Sonya A. Whited Dr. George I. Whitehead, III Gayle H. Widdowson Stephanie T. Willey Dr. Julius D. Zant

FOUNDATION STAFF Lauren Ansted Program Officer Sharon Dickson, CPA Finance Director Cathy Diekmann Program Officer Veronique Diriker Ph.D., CFRE Chief Advancement Officer Heather Geraldes Program Director Erica Joseph President Victoria Kent Marketing Officer Jessica Meehan Gifts & Grants Officer Katerra Marshall Office Coordinator

ABOUT THE

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

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 over $107 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. We are devoted to improving our regional community and believe in the power of philanthropy.

OFFICE HOURS

Mon. - Fri. 8AM - 4PM Sat & Sun Closed

OUR OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED:

Fri. Nov. 3rd - Annual Meeting Nov. 23rd & 24th – Thanksgiving Dec. 25th & 26th – Christmas Jan. 1st – New Years Day

David Plotts Controller Shelbie Thompson Donor Relations Officer 12

410.742.9911 | CFES.org

1324 Belmont Ave Ste 401 Salisbury, MD 21804