Mid-Shore Community Foundation

MSCF Awards $7,500 Grant To Confront Food Insecurity In Kent County

September 2, 2020 by Mid-Shore Community Foundation

The 501(c)(3) public charity awarded FarmersWagon.org a $7,500 COVID-19 Response Fund grant to support the non-profit’s Care Package Program. The FarmersWagon.org program provides free and reduced deliveries to households in Kent County. FarmersWagon.org will use the grant to source fresh produce, proteins, and other items, from local food producers. The non-profit estimates that approximately 200 deliveries will be provided to Care Package Program members. FarmersWagon.org is currently accepting applications and referrals for the Care Package Program. For more information, visit www.farmerswagon.org/carepackages or call (443)333-9336.

About FarmersWagon.org
FarmersWagon.org is a non-profit organization that works to ensure food security and sovereignty to households in Kent County, MD. The volunteer-based project started following the initial closure of the Chestertown Farmers Market by Mayor Chris Cerino and the Town Council in March 2020. The organization’s mission is funded by retail sales on its online marketplace and farm-to-door delivery, with 70% of the online market’s NET profits committed to providing Care Packages for local households.

About Mid-Shore Community Foundation
Mid-Shore Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that connects private resources with public needs to enhance the quality of life throughout the Mid-Shore Region of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties. Established in 1992, with a $236,000 bequest, the Foundation has matured to become one of the most significant foundations in the State of Maryland. Today, the Foundation holds $93.4 million in total assets for the Mid-Shore Region and since its founding, the Foundation has awarded $39.8 million in grants and scholarships

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Kent County Nonprofit Leadership Workshop Well Received

February 20, 2018 by Mid-Shore Community Foundation

Forty-one executive directors and board members participated in the second of a series of leadership workshops held at the Chestertown Town Hall on February 15. The breakfast workshop which included executive staff and board members focused on motivating others, a topic requested by participants after their first roundtable meeting in November. Nonprofit leaders in attendance learned to identify ten levers of motivation to get the highest performance from individuals and teams.

Sponsored by the Mid-Shore Community Foundation and funded by Leslie and Andy Price, the Kent County Nonprofit Leadership Roundtable was created to provide support for nonprofit leaders who are looking for deeper insight into how healthy organizations function and how collaboration and planning can help resolve critical issues. Rob Levit, experienced development consultant, was hired to lead the leadership roundtable workshops. Maryann Ruehrmund, CFRE, executive director of the UM Chester River Health Foundation, participated in the session and said, “Professional development like this is invaluable to the busy executive who often doesn’t make the time to reflect on his or her own leadership because of day-to-day operational distractions. I am planning to incorporate some new strategies that focus more of my and the Foundation Board’s attention on our mission and vision, as a result of the training.”

Photo of Feb 15 training courtesy Lani Seikaly

Following the Motivating Others Workshop, 22 Kent County nonprofit leaders participated in the inaugural Executive Leadership Circle designed to give executives a confidential forum to explore difficult issues and collaborate on best practice and outside-the-box solutions. Executives in non-profit organizations are most often in singleton positions without a built-in support system to develop their own leadership skills. The Executive Leadership Circle helps to fill that void.

The mission of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation is to connect private resources with public needs to enhance the quality of life throughout the Mid-Shore Region. “But though the Foundation sponsors various training sessions for nonprofits,”according to Foundation president Buck Duncan,“the Kent County Nonprofit Leadership Roundtable model is unique and has been so successful that we would love to be able to replicate it in other counties.”

Rob Levit has worked extensively with educational, corporate and nonprofit clients on strategic planning, team development and leadership skills. He is known for his inclusive, engaging and interactive style that fosters learning and collaboration for participants and has received rave reviews from the round table participants.

More leadership workshops are being planned. If you are currently a Kent County nonprofit executive or board member and are not receiving the notices from the Mid-Shore Community Foundation about these workshops, please email your name, position and organization to Heather Pickens at https://hpickens@mscf.org.

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Executive Round Table for Kent County Nonprofit Leaders

October 27, 2017 by Mid-Shore Community Foundation

Bulllitt House, Easton – headquarters of Mid-Shore Community Foundation

Buck Duncan, President of Mid-Shore Community Foundation, announced it will sponsor and host a series of collaborative and interactive discussions and seminars for executive directors and other nonprofit leaders, regardless of title, employed by Kent County nonprofit charitable organizations.

The round table will be held on November 16, 2017, 8:30 a.m,.at the Chestertown Town Hall – 2nd Floor Meeting Room (118 North Cross Street, Chestertown). Breakfast and networking will begin at 8:30 a.m, followed by a 90-minute interactive round table. The event will be facilitated by Rob Levit, award winning nonprofit executive director and licensed consultant with the Standards for Excellence Institute.

This event is open to all executives and leaders employed by Kent County nonprofit charitable organizations. There is no charge to attend. The goal is for all Kent County nonprofit executive directors and leaders, regardless of title, to come together, meet, discuss and let us know how and what we can do to further your professional goals and aspirations and help your organization meet its mission. Anyone interested in participating should register online here or here.

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Corr Fund Donates $35,000 to Kent County Public Schools

December 29, 2015 by Mid-Shore Community Foundation

The Reade and Mary Corr Fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation recently awarded a $35,000 matching grant to Kent County Public Schools in support of the 1:1 Digital Learning Initiative. The funds will be used to purchase tablets and laptops for the students.

The matching grant was designed to encourage area residents, businesses and foundations to support Kent County Public School Programs. Dixon Valve & Coupling Co. has joined with the Advisors of the Reade and Mary Corr Fund in contributing $15,000 to the Initiative.

Visit mscf.org for additional information.

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Kent County Public Schools to Partner With Mid-Shore Community Foundation

April 27, 2015 by Mid-Shore Community Foundation

Kent County Superintendent, Dr. Karen Couch, recently spoke to the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s Kent County Advisors about the new technology initiative as well as other trends in the public school system.

The Board of Education recently established the Kent County Public Schools Technology Fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. The Fund will support initiatives, adopted by the Kent County Board of Education, to bring technological advances to students in Kent County Public Schools.

The Mid-Shore Community Foundation will manage the Fund and coalesce philanthropic resources from the private sector. In addition to the financial benefits, the Foundation hopes to engage the community in the process of improving its local schools.

Dr. Couch also reported that Kent County Public School System’s 2014 School Progress Index (SPI) had improved to 13th as compared to the 24 State of Maryland Public School Systems. Kent County Public School System is ranked 3rd in comparison to the 9 Eastern Shore Districts.

Donations to the Kent County Public Schools Technology Fund should be directed to the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, 102 East Dover Street, Easton, MD 21601

Additional information can be found at www.mscf.org

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Mid-Shore Community Foundation Visits Humane Society

February 23, 2015 by Mid-Shore Community Foundation

Representatives from the Mid-Shore Community Foundation (MSCF) recently visited the Humane Society of Kent County in Chestertown.

Jane Welsh, HSKC Director and Carolyn Thompson, HSKC Director of Community Engagement, hosted the group for a tour and discussion about the needs and goals of the Humane Society of Kent County.

“The facility seems to operate very well under some difficult circumstances and we commend th associates,” says Buck Duncan, MSCF President.

The Mid-Shore Community Foundation is committed to strengthening nonprofits and hopes to assist theHumane Society of Kent County in building its capacity to help those it serves.

The Mid-Shore Community Foundation serves both donors and recipients and it is important that the Foundation visit with area nonprofits to get an up-close and personal look at the needs and initiatives that exist throughout the region. Site visits are an effective way to ensure that philanthropic dollars are well invested and they provide an in-depth look at ways the Foundation can address important issues within the region.

Additional information about the Foundation can be found at www.mscf.org.

PICTURED (L TO R): BUCK DUNCAN, HEATHER PICKENS, KIRK HELFENBEIN, LIZ BRICE, ROBBIN HILL, MICKEY ELSBERG, TOM BECKETT AND CAITLIN PATTON ROSENBERG.

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Wizards Far and Wide Invited to Harry Potter Festival Sept. 26–27

August 29, 2014 by Mid-Shore Community Foundation

Grab your wand, hop on your broom, and come for a weekend of magic on September 26 and 27 at the Chestertown Harry Potter Festival. The colonial river town will host the celebration, featuring spectacular activities and events for children and adults—wizards and muggles alike.

Proudly presented by the non-profit Mid-Shore Community Foundation, the Festival benefits the Garfield Center for the Arts, a cultural organization that nurtures, celebrates and supports arts and artists through performance and education.

The festivities will begin on Friday at 4:30 PM with Harry Potter Academia, a literary exploration of the J.K. Rowling series with Washington College history professor Janet Sorrentino, at Bookplate, 112 South Cross Street. The Festival kick off event will begin at 6:00 PM at the Garfield Center for the Arts, featuring a costume contest, wizard photo booth, magical games, and more.

On Saturday, feast on Pancakes for Potter from 7:00 to 10:00 AM at the Chestertown Mason’s Lodge. Proceeds will be donated to the Festival’s designated beneficiary, the Garfield Center for the Arts. Try your hand at Quidditch from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the field across from the Hogwarts Express. Take dueling lessons with the Phoenix Dueling Club, meet magical creatures at Scamander’s Bestiary, make wizardly crafts, and get Harry Potter face paintings from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at Fountain Park. Come aboard the schooner Sultana for Wizards on the Water, an exciting and magical sail down the Chester River from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Pick up a free marauder’s map at the Garfield Center and join in a downtown scavenger hunt, complete the who dunnit puzzle, and win a prize. The shops and restaurants of Chestertown will transform into places from the pages of J.K. Rowling’s books—the Leaky Cauldron, Ollivander’s Wand Shop, Flourish and Blott’s Books, Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes, and more. Enjoy wizardly treats, souvenirs, and street theater among participating businesses.

The festival will culminate from 6:00 to 9:00 PM on Saturday with a Kid’s Night at Hogwarts and a House Party at the Leaky Cauldron. Wizards ages 8-13 are invited to Kid’s Night, with supervised, themed activities, dinner, and theatric excitement at the Garfield Center for the Arts. Those inside the age-line are invited to the House Party at the Leaky Cauldron, featuring magical menu items, libations and live music from wizard rockers, the Blibbering Humdingers. Check our website or Facebook page for information about purchasing tickets, and more details about all of the events both free and ticketed.

Can’t wait for the Festival? Come to the Harry Potter Read-a-Thon at the Chestertown Book Festival on Saturday, September 20 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Kent County Public Library Chestertown branch, 408 High Street. Learn more or sign up to read from the book that started it all, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

For information on accommodations, getting to Chestertown, and festival details, please visit our website or Facebook page.

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