Caroline Foundation Supports Causes

Over the past nine years, the Caroline Foundation has given out $5.8 million in the form of 168 grants to 40 local nonprofits providing health-related services to county residents, according to Terry Mead, foundation board president.

Mead said he hoped to raise awareness of the Caroline Foundation and its mission to inspire more people to give.“Every year, we have more grant requests than we have money to give out,” Mead said. In 2024, Caroline Foundation received applications requesting $1,036,000; it had $860,000 to award. In November 2024, Caroline Foundation presented grants to: Aarons Place Inc., addressing food insecurities and health disparities; Caroline County Public Schools, Backpack Program for Kids; CASA ofCaroline, supporting children foster care; Channel Marker, for medication adherence technology devices; Choptank Community Health System, enhancing dental technology; Community Civic League of Federalsburg Inc., community pantry; Compass Hospice, hospice and supportive care and grief services; Critical Repairs Caroline County, providing critical repairs for residents in need; DC Center Inc., homelesshousing program; For All Seasons Inc., providing access to mental health services; Friends of the GrapeInc. doing business as the Chesapeake Culinary Center, for hunger coordinators; His Hope Ministries, homeless shelter; Martin's House and Barn, food pantry and homeless shelter; Mid-Shore RestoringHope in Women, House of Hope; Partners in Care, aging in Place with Dignity program; Salvation Army, providing emergency rent and utility assistance; Union Bethel AME Church, Angels in Service; and YMCA of the Chesapeake, access for all. Caroline Foundation is part of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, which provides administrative services. All expenses are kept at or below 1% of total assets; board members are all volunteers; there are no employees and no office, Mead said. Caroline Foundation traces its roots to the Caroline Nursing Home, followed by the Gables. It purchased the properties for $1 from the county in 1980. In 2015, the board sold the nursing home and assisted living facility. Assets were invested in the stock market. The foundation awards 5% of assets annually. Grant applications are due by July 1 each year. More annual contributions would not only assist its mission, but they also are needed for the organization to maintain its public foundation status, Mead said, adding that losing public status could endanger Caroline Foundation’s future. Donations may be mailed to The Caroline Foundation, P.O. Box 607, Denton, MD 21629. Online go to https://www.mscf.org/donate-online; designate donation is for the Caroline Foundation. For more information, contact Mead at 410-310-2030 or tmeadyyc@gmail.com.