The Women’s Fund of the Eastern Shore, an initiative managed by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, focuses on empowering local women and girls through collective philanthropy. Its primary mission is to pool financial resources and support local programs that provide critical services to women and girls in need. These services include support for girls in foster care, mothers in crisis, and young women seeking job-readiness or leadership skills. The fund aims to create lasting positive change by helping these individuals become stronger, more self-sufficient, and capable of contributing to their communities.

Each spring, the Women’s Fund focuses its grant-making efforts on addressing the unmet needs of women and girls in Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore. To qualify for funding, applicants must demonstrate that their program will provide a direct and measurable benefit to the target population of women and/or girls residing in Wicomico, Worcester, and/or Somerset Counties. The focus on measurable outcomes is intended to ensure that grant funds are used effectively to make a tangible impact on the community.

The maximum grant award available is $5,000. This funding is designed to support programs that offer a clear benefit to the targeted population, especially those with specific needs such as job-readiness, leadership development, and crisis intervention. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that outline how their programs will help women and girls become more self-reliant and positively impact their communities.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or other community-based groups that are focused on the welfare of women and girls within the specified counties. Grants are typically awarded to organizations that provide direct services or programs that align with the Women’s Fund’s mission of empowering women and inspiring girls.

Applicants must ensure that their proposed programs target specific needs within the Lower Eastern Shore area, especially in Wicomico, Worcester, and Somerset counties. Requests must articulate how the funds will benefit the local women and girls, with a focus on measurable and tangible outcomes. The grant funds can be used for various programmatic needs, although the maximum award is capped at $5,000.

To apply for the grant, interested parties can submit applications through the Women's Fund of the Eastern Shore. For more detailed instructions or assistance, applicants are encouraged to contact the Women’s Fund directly. The funding process is annual, with applications typically being reviewed in the spring of each year. The Fund’s goal is to continue making a positive impact on the lives of local women and girls by funding initiatives that empower and uplift them.