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December 11, 2023

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

Education Ed Notes

Mature Woman’s Grant by American Association of University Women

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The Easton Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is pleased to announce the opportunity for a Mature Woman’s Grant to females age 25 and over who are residents of one of the following Maryland counties: Kent, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Talbot or Dorchester.

The intention of this grant is to assist women who are returning to complete their college education, who are pursuing further graduate studies, or who are applying for a certificate program to enter a new career path and would benefit from some extra financial assistance in accomplishing their goal.  The amount of the grant is still to be determined.

Applications for this AAUW 2023 Mature Woman’s Grant can be found at local libraries in the five-county region, at Chesapeake College, Salisbury University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Wicomico Community College, Washington College or electronically by request at [email protected].

The deadline for submission, postmarked or e-mailed, is June 5, 2023. Applicants will be notified during July and August.  The grants will be awarded officially at the September Easton Branch meeting of the AAUW.

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Women & Girls Fund Grant Applications Due by November 1

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The Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore, a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, is now accepting grant proposals from IRS-designated non-profit organizations for programs addressing the needs of local women and girls.  Completed applications must be received by Tuesday, November 1, 2022. Grant recipients will be announced in April 2023.

This year, for the first time, organizations have a choice of submitting the standard paper application or using a new online application – same questions, new format.  “The online application is very easy and straightforward,” said Allie Prell, Women & Girls Fund board member and Grants Committee co-chair.  “We’re so excited to offer applicants this new option that will simplify the process and make it even easier to apply for grants!”

Since 2002, more than $782,000 has been awarded to 105 non-profit organizations in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties.  In 2022, 12 grants totaling $50,432 were given for a wide variety of programs such as: Aaron’s Place “Mommy and Me”; For All Seasons “Calming Corner Therapy Kits”; Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s “Social-Emotional Learning Project”; Minorities in Aquaculture “Internship Program for High School and College Women of Color”; and Talbot Community Connections “Talbot Children’s Advocacy Center”.

“Programs offered by our grant recipients serve a variety of needs– from food scarcity and shelter to youth education and senior services,” said Kathy Deoudes, board president.  “We encourage applications for innovative programs that target critical needs facing women and girls.  No organization should be reluctant to apply,” she continued.

Grant guidelines and applications are available at www.womenandgirlsfund.org. For further information, call 410-770-8347 or e-mail [email protected].

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Talbot Arts to Award Grants to Arts Organizations and Programs

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Talbot Arts, the county arts agency in Talbot County, will award $125,000 in grants to Talbot County arts organizations and programs beginning July 1. These grants are made available through three funding opportunities:  community arts development grants, special project grants, and mini-grants. These funds are made possible through the Maryland State Arts Council, which serves as the funding source for the 24 county-based- arts agencies and Baltimore City in the State of Maryland. As the Maryland State Arts Council requires, local grant awards must be matched on at least a one-for-one basis in cash by the requesting organization. Applicants must be organized as Maryland non-profit corporations with IRS tax-exempt status or be government-related entities such as libraries or parks and recreation departments.

While a significant portion of the grants goes to well-known arts providers in the county, Talbot Arts works diligently to identify start-ups new to the area or established organizations that are adding the arts to their program offerings. Eighteen organizations are designated to receive $115,000, with the balance of the funds set aside for pilot programs or organizations seeking support for unexpected opportunities.

This year, the organization conducted a community-wide survey asking residents to share their interests and thoughts about the arts in our county. The information collected helped the board make decisions about funding priorities and grantmaking.

The entire Talbot Arts board participates in the review process. Reviewers assessed each application on the artistic merit of the proposed arts activities, the organization’s perceived ability to execute the program, and how well the program will serve the residents and guests of Talbot County. Applicants also submitted their plans and reported on their progress in increasing diversity, accessibility, inclusion, and equity in their programs. In addition to an awards notification, each grantee received comments and feedback on their grant application.

To earn more about Talbot Arts programs and resources, visit www.talbotarts.org.

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Talbot County Announces Grant for Nonprofits

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The Talbot County Council is accepting applications for a grant program for nonprofit organizations that will be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.

“Every county and municipality in the country received funding from the American Rescue Plan Act,” says Councilman Pete Lesher. “Our ARPA survey results show that our citizens wanted us first to fund rural broadband, as well as heath care and emergency services infrastructure, followed by using a portion of this funding to help those in need. Funding nonprofits that are already working in this arena follows this mandate.”

Nonprofit organizations may apply for up to $25,000 for program development and training costs, business materials or inventory, and the purchase of equipment related to programs that assist underserved Maryland populations. They may also use the funds to offset normal business expenses such as rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and payroll.

Nonprofits focused on the economic recovery of Maryland communities, and on the health, human services, and housing of underserved populations will receive priority ranking.

To be eligible to apply nonprofits must have a physical location in Talbot County and be in good standing in the State of Maryland. The funds cannot be used for expenses that have already been supported by COVID-19 relief or other funding.

Applications must be submitted by August 1, 2022, and can be found online at TalbotWorks.org. For more information, call (410) 770-8000.

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CDBG and ERAP Grants Making a Difference in Talbot County

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Talbot County Government is serving those most in need in the county through two important programs – the Maryland Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) both of which are administered through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Mary Kay Verdery, Grants Administrator for Talbot County, is helping to manage the programs which are helping low-income families in a variety of ways.

The Maryland Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) is a federally funded program designed to assist county and municipal governments with activities directed toward neighborhood revitalization, housing opportunities, economic development, and improved public facilities and services. CDBG funded projects must be for eligible activities under Program regulations and must meet one of three national objectives:

  • Benefits persons of low-and moderate-income
  • Eliminates slum and blight
  • Meets an urgent need of recent origin that threatens public health and safety

CDBG funds are provided primarily as gap funding for projects selected by the jurisdiction to meet community needs. CDBG funds provided must meet a national objective and additional Maryland objectives and applications are accepted on a competitive basis. The maximum amount Talbot County may request, for a single project or cumulative projects, is $800,000.

“The CDBG funds can be used for acquisition of property, demolition of structures, rehabilitation of structures (both residential and non-residential), construction of public facilities, and public services. The funds are directed toward the low to moderate-income families and affordable housing and economic opportunities,” states Verdery.

In the past seven years, CDBG grants have helped such organizations as The Neighborhood Service Center, Talbot Interfaith Shelter, St. Michael’s Senior Center, Habitat Choptank, Early Headstart, Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, St. Michaels Community Center, Upper Shore Aging, and Mid-Shore Pro Bono.

For the FY23 grant cycle, five local non-profit organizations submitted formal letters seeking County Council consideration. Of the five letters of interest received, two projects were found to be the best fit for CDBG funds, and the other three were referred to other sources for potential funding. Because CDBG funds are primarily a gap funding source, applicants must be ready to go with the project they submit because DHCD wants the funds to be spent in a certain timeframe. Applications are ranked based on various factors such as public purpose, project impact, project management, and local commitment/leveraging of other funding sources.

Talbot County has partnered with Habitat for Humanity Choptank (Habitat Choptank) on a FY23 CDBG application which is seeking $100,000 to renovate a home located in the historic area of Easton at 122 S. Locust Lane. Funds will be used to support the demolition, stabilization, and interior and exterior rehabilitation of an existing single-family home located in the historic area of Easton, known as “The Hill.” The property was purchased by Habitat Choptank in January 2022. Habitat Choptank’s affordable home program serves those in Talbot County who earn between 35% and 65% of the HUD-defined Area Median Income which equates to between $35,385 and $65,715 annually. Additional funding opportunities for this project include a Community Legacy grant and Town of Easton American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds.

Pictured are the before and after photos of one of Habitat Choptank’s projects in St. Michaels, Maryland.

“Our Brooks Lane Neighborhood Project in St. Michaels involved Habitat Choptank partnering with Talbot County in the use of CDBG funds to support the site work/infrastructure needed to build seven quality affordable homes on land that was donated to Habitat Choptank. This project built more than homes for first-generation home buyers…it built a neighborhood and a community of hardworking families. Our continued partnership with Talbot County around the rehabilitation of 122 S. Locust in the Hill District of Easton is a testimony to the County’s commitment to building community through neighborhood revitalization, providing another avenue to make high-quality affordable homes available at a time when they are so desperately needed while preserving and honoring the resiliency of this historic community,” comments JoAnn Hansen, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Choptank.

Talbot County has also partnered with Building African American Minds (BAAM) on a FY23 CDBG application for $347,138 for the construction of an Academic Center located at 31 Jowite Street in Easton. The new three-story, state-of-the-art facility is located in the Town of Easton in a low-to-moderate income service area. The facility will continue to provide after-school and summer programs for first through fifth-grade students from Easton Elementary School and Easton Middle School. In addition, BAAM will expand programming to offer a workforce development program for youth and the community. Partnerships and programing include Chesapeake College and other community organizations that will provide educational programming for youth, parents, and the community in areas such as financial literacy and budgeting, job skills/enhancement training, GED courses, wellness, and arts programming.

“I am appreciative of the County’s support of BAAM’s CDBG grant application. If granted, these funds will help us with the construction materials needed to build our new Academic Center. Our new Center will be a state-of-the-art facility that will host all of our current programming and allow us to expand services. I am so thankful for all the support that BAAM has received over the years from our donors, partners, youth, and their families, and am excited for the opportunities and new partnerships that our new Academic Center will offer,” states Dina Gomes Daly, Executive Director, BAAM.

“I enjoy most the opportunity to work with so many different aspects of the community – the full spectrum from young children to seniors. Now, we have this opportunity to provide the ERAP funds to individuals so that we prevent eviction and homelessness. These are projects where you get to help the community,” Verdery adds.

The Talbot County Council received $2.4 million in the spring of 2021 to administer the Department of Housing and Community Development’s grant for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) to ensure housing stability for families and individuals at risk of experiencing homelessness or utility cut-off. A sub-recipient agreement was finalized in August 2021 between Talbot County and Neighborhood Service Center (NSC), the County’s Community Action Agency, to administer the funds. The deadline for spending the first round of ERAP program funds is September 30, 2022. The funds cover rental and utility assistance and other housing and service-related costs and program administration costs. The Neighborhood Service Center (NSC) completes the screening to determine eligibility, issues the funds, and provides report information to the County. The second grant award of ERAP funds for Talbot County is $1.6 million and will be distributed beginning July 1, 2022.

“The hardest part at the very beginning was just getting the word out that we had these funds available. But once we were able to reach out to the local rental communities, we were able to contact a lot of individuals in the unserved or minority communities,” Verdery comments.

“The Neighborhood Service Center, since 1969, has worked hard to reduce poverty and homelessness by helping individuals and families become self-sufficient. In these unusual times, it takes out-of-the-box thinking and unfortunately a lot of money to keep individuals and families in their homes because the normal channels were closed due to quarantine regulations. Without the ERAP funds, we would have depleted all of our reserves almost immediately, putting many current programs in jeopardy. Talbot County has always stepped up to donate time, money, and resources, but this was a time when the need greatly surpassed what locals could donate,” states Frank Divilio, Talbot County Council member and board member of the NSC.

For further information on applying for CDBG grants annually, contact Mary Kay Verdery at 410-770-8002. Citizens can log onto the NSC website (nsctalbotmd.org) for applications and instructions for the ERAP Program or call the NSC at 410-822-5015.

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The Caroline Foundation Accepting Grant Requests

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The Caroline Foundation, in partnership with the Mid-ShoreCommunity Foundation, invites organizations that provide medical and/or health-related services to residents of Caroline County, Maryland to apply for FY2023 grant funding.

Applicants must be nonprofit corporations with IRS tax-exempt status, or government-related entities.  Applications are online at https://www.mscf.org/caroline-foundation. The deadline for submission of FY2023 grant applications is midnight, July 1, 2022.

Grant decisions and distributions will be made in October, 2022.  The Caroline Foundation retains the right to accept or reject applications, suggest changes, and support grant requests in full, in part, or not at all.

Organizations that would like additional information about The Caroline Foundation’s grants process should contact Buck Duncan or Robbin Hill at the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, 410-820-8175  or [email protected].

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Women & Girls Fund Announces this Year’s Grants for Programs Benefitting Area Women and Girls

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The Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore has announced its list of recipients for the 2022 grant cycle.  Twelve local non-profit organizations received awards totaling $50,432 for programs addressing critical needs facing women and girls in the five Mid-Shore counties of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot.

The grants went to 3 new applicants and 9 non-profits that have been awarded Women & Girls Fund grants at least once before.

First-time grant recipients are Aaron’s Place, Minorities in Aquaculture, and Talbot Hospice.

Repeat recipients are CASA of Caroline, Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers, Compass Regional Hospice, For All Seasons, Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s, Haven Ministries, Kent Attainable Housing, Talbot Community Connections, and Tilghman Area Youth Association.

To help select grants, the Fund’s board recruits two dozen volunteer grant readers who work in teams for three months to review each application.  Using their reports and recommendations, the Board of Directors makes the final award decisions.

“The grant reading process is one of my favorite things we do as an organization”, said Allie Prell, who co-chairs the Grants Committee with board member, Beth Spurry.  “It allows our volunteers to learn about organizations in our communities, be part of what we do, and see first-hand how the process works,” she added.

“This was our second year of adjusting to Covid, and though it is very different from our usual in-person meetings with applicants, the reading groups have been able to accomplish a great deal via zoom and phone conferences,” Mrs. Prell continued. “Thanks to their efforts, the Board can do the work of connecting donor dollars with the organizations whose programs match our mission.”

This year’s grant recipients will reach children, teens, and adults through a broad range of programs on issues addressing such things as life skills development, academic enrichment, specialized mental health counseling, first-time homeownership, and end-of-life care.

Aaron’s Place is a well-established human services outreach organization in Caroline County.  Services include food distribution, GED and ESL classes, rental and utility assistance, and senior care.  This grant will support the “Mommy and Me” program that seeks to prepare young women to be mothers and teaches young girls grooming skills while building self-esteem.  New mothers come for free baby supplies and stay for the assortment of classes that will help them learn to care properly for themselves and their babies.

Minorities in Aquaculture, founded in 2020, seeks to address the lack of diversity and inclusion in the male-dominated aquaculture industry.  It bridges the gap between minorities and sustainable seafood by creating a supportive space for professional growth while actively changing the current demographics in aquaculture. Through academic and industry partnerships, MIA will identify girls and young women interested in science, primarily sustainable aquaculture, and offer paid internships with partner aquaculture organizations to eliminate any financial barriers that might impede their academic or professional progress.  This grant will provide support for internships.

Talbot Hospice is a fully licensed medical hospice that offers comprehensive care in homes, nursing facilities, at Hospice House (the only residential program in Talbot County), and partners with the local hospital to serve hospice patients who cannot leave the acute care setting.  In operation since 1981, it now has 75 staff and 175 volunteers, who in 2020-21 made more than 4,500 visits in homes and facilities to provide hospice care and daily living tasks.  Recently, more than half of the patients at Hospice House were women and 61% of them received free or subsidized room and board through the Community Supported Care program.  This grant will help cover the cost of meals and personal care items, often not fully paid by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance, for women who need the Hospice House to pass in a dignified and peaceful way.

Now in its 20th year of awarding grants, The Women & Girls Fund has given more than $782,000 to 105 unique non-profits in the Mid-Shore region.  Its mission is to support under-funded programs and initiatives that aid women and girls, raise awareness of community needs, and advance women’s philanthropy in the region.  A component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, the Fund has built a growing permanent endowment of more than $1.2 million dollars with donations from individuals and businesses around the Mid-Shore.

“The Women & Girls Fund is so grateful to all our donors who have enabled us to support these wonderful organizations over the past 20 years, and who continue to support our mission in the community. We also owe a debt of gratitude to our grantees that continue to work tirelessly to improve and enhance the lives of women and girls in our communities”, said Women & Girls Fund Board President, Kathy Deoudes.

IRS-designated non-profit organizations in the Mid-Shore whose programs specifically target the needs of women and girls are encouraged to apply for a grant.  Grant applications for the 2023 grant cycle are due by November 1, 2022.  Guidelines and a downloadable application form are available at https://womenandgirlsfund.org/grant-guidelines.

For more information, call 410-770-8347, email [email protected] or visit www.womenandgirlsfund.org.

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Talbot County to Open New Grant for Nonprofits on June 4

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Talbot County will begin taking applications on June 4 for a new grant program aimed at helping nonprofits that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but have not yet received assistance from other programs.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) received $20 million in Maryland Recovery NOW Funds via SB496 that is being distributed to local governments to make grant awards to local nonprofits. Talbot County will receive $123,000 to distribute locally.

Grant recipients may use the money to offset business losses caused by the pandemic. Qualifying expenditures include:

  • Expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business such as rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and payroll.
  • Purchase of equipment related to programs that assist underserved Maryland populations.
  • Program development and training costs.
  • Business materials or inventory.
  • Sanitizing supplies for use by employees and customers.

Priority also will be given to those nonprofits that are focused on the economic recovery of Maryland communities and on the health and human services and housing of underserved Maryland populations.

The deadline for applying is June 25. Grant funds must be distributed by September 1 and may be used for expenses incurred through December 31, 2021.

OTHER TALBOT COUNTY GRANTS

Lodging and Accommodations COVID-19 RELIEF Grant Program

Hotel, lodging, and accommodation businesses are among those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To help those facing continued financial impacts, Talbot County has received additional funds for a third round of funding. Businesses that opened before November 1, 2020 are now eligible. Deadline to apply: June 11.

Online Sales and Telework Assistance COVID-19 RELIEF Grant Program

Though Talbot County’s allotment for this grant program is just $3,082, these funds will be used to support small businesses seeking to expand online sales and teleworking capabilities for their employees. Deadline to apply: June 11.

Talbot County Restaurant and Caterers COVID-19 RELIEF Grant Program

To support Maryland restaurants facing continued financial impacts from the coronavirus pandemic, Talbot County has received an additional $135,635. A number of new qualifications apply, which require applicants to self-certify specific financial data. Deadline to apply: June 11.

The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the Talbot County Finance Office together are administering these programs. Guidelines and applications are available at TalbotWorks.org. For more information, call 410-770-8000.

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Talbot County Approves Final CARES Grant Allocations

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On December 8, Emergency Services Director Clay Stamp appeared before the Talbot County Council to seek approval for the final allocations of the County’s CARES Act funding.

This comes as jurisdictions around the country race to spend the last of the federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Talbot County, though, is steadily working the recovery plan it set in motion in May 2020.

“We don’t want to send back any money that would benefit our citizens,” says Council President Chuck Callahan. “Our team has worked hard to make sure that we have distributed the money where it is needed in our community — to the most vulnerable among us and directly to the business community.”

Early on, Talbot County appointed an executive team to oversee the distribution of funds.Members include Councilman Corey Pack, County Manager Andy Hollis, Emergency Services Director Clay Stamp, Finance Director Angela Lane, and Health Officer Fredia Wadley, M.D.

Of the $6.4 million allocated to the county, $3.2 million was earmarked for the Talbot County Health Department to use for public health initiatives related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The balance was to be spent by the Talbot County government for expenses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the initial plan, the executive team allocated $1.2 million for a business grant program and another $1.2 million funded the county’s individual assistance program.

Additional funds were set aside for the Emergency Operations Center and Emergency Services to make substantial PPE purchases, to cover sheltering for emergency personnel with COVID-19 exposure, and to cover costs related to providing food to those in need. The balance was held in reserve for other expenses.

“Our executive team has helped us find true north when there were decisions to be made,” says Stamp. “We designed a plan that allowed us to both meet the needs of our citizens and be flexible enough to respond to unexpected needs.”

As December 30 and the end of the grant period approaches, the county’s CARES executive team finalized its plan for spending the estimated balance of funds in a way that maximizes the response on behalf of county residents and complies with the grant terms.

The proposal includes the following:

• Hazard pay for public safety employees for the period Talbot County was under a State  of Emergency (March 16 – June 30, 2020) – $367,000

• Grants to volunteer fire departments of up to $30,000 per department for their preparedness response as they continue to serve amid the pandemic – $190,000

• Mobile triage unit for Emergency Services to support the emergency public health response and vaccine delivery – $158,000

• Emergency assistance to Neighborhood Service Center for retention of a COVID-19 assistance staff position if state funding cut is made in CY20 – $5,000

The proposal also recommends the reallocation of funds in underused line items. Those expenditures include:

• Additional funding for small business grants to address unmet needs among county businesses and nonprofit organizations – $250,000

• Distribution of free holiday meals and small grants to the five standing food pantries in the county, as well as facility use cost to Easton Elks Lodge #1622 for mobile pantries -$53,000

• Mental Health First Aid care for Emergency Services personnel – $9,000

Finance Director Angela Lane notes that the proposed plan is based on projections with the final distribution from the Individual Assistance Program including child care assistance being highly variable. During the fall, the Department of Social Services was only receiving 12 applications per week. They are now receiving 17 applications per day, which represent varying levels of financial need.

The county council unanimously supported the distribution of the remaining funds and voted 5-0 to approve the plan.

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Last Chance to Apply as Talbot County Allocates More Funds for CARES Grants

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Those businesses and nonprofit organizations that have not already received a grant of up to $10,000 from the Talbot CARES Emergency Relief Small Business Grant program have one last chance to apply.

“Talbot County has reinvested more than $1.1 million of its CARES funding into the business community,” Cassandra Vanhooser, director of the Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism, said in a statement. “With the files we currently have under review, we are on track to distribute the entire $1.2 million allocated for small businesses by the first week of December.”

By law, funds from the CARES Act must be distributed by Dec. 31. Unused funds must be returned to the State of Maryland.

When county officials recently tallied receipts, they realized that not all of the money would be spent by the deadline. Vanhooser advocated for some of the money to be transferred into the grant program for small businesses.

Additional Grant Funding Available

“I get calls almost every day from business owners asking for assistance, and I was having to tell people that our money had been distributed,” Vanhooser said. “Thankfully, we were fortunate enough to receive an additional $250,000 of the money the county received from the CARES Act.”

Any business or nonprofit with less than 50 employees that hasn’t yet received a grant and can show a 25% loss of revenue caused by COVID-19 is eligible to apply. But the clock is ticking.

If you are planning to apply, you must act quickly. The department began accepting new submissions online Nov. 30. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until 5 p.m. Dec. 11. Every file is dated and time stamped and will be considered in the order received.

The requirements are fairly straightforward, Vanhooser said. But it is absolutely essential that anyone who plans to apply have complete financial documents ready before they apply.

Application Requirements

Businesses must be in good standing with the State of Maryland, and they must not owe any taxes. In addition, businesses must submit the following:

• a completed application;

• comparative monthly profit and loss statement for 2019 and 2020;

• most recent business tax returns; and

• a signed W-9 IRS Form

Grant recipients may use the money to offset business losses caused by the pandemic. Qualifying expenditures include rent or mortgage payments, utilities, inventory, personal protective equipment, enhanced cleaning protocols, and upgrades designed to limit person-to-person contact. Each business that receives a grant must also submit a final report detailing how it spent the funds.

“This money has an expiration date,” County Council President Corey Pack said in a statement. “Talbot County has until Dec. 30 to disperse the remainder of the CARES funding. We encourage any business that still needs assistance and has not yet applied to get their application in as soon as possible.”

The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the Talbot County Finance Office together are administering the program. An online application form can be found at TalbotWorks.org, along with information about other business resources. For more information, call 410-770-8000.

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