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The Mid-Shore Community Foundation (MSCF) held its annual public meeting at the Avalon Theatre in Easton on September 27th. The focus of the evening was the Foundation’s celebration of its 15th anniversary.
Richard C. Granville, chairman of the Board for MSCF, started the meeting with a brief history. He chronicled the Foundation’s growth from a gift of $230,000, an all volunteer staff and donated office space to its present status as the area’s premier philanthropic force located in the historic Bullitt House in downtown Easton. Currently, the Foundation manages assets of over $35 million and 168 component funds.
“We are very proud of the trust individuals and organizations have placed in us,” reported Mr. Granville. “The Foundation takes its stewardship very seriously and will continue to strive to deliver personalized philanthropic services, community leadership and conscientious grant awards.”
A milestone for the Foundation was marked at this meeting as three founding board members fulfilled their terms and rotated off the Board. Lloyd L. Beatty, Charles T. Capute and W. Moorhead Vermilye were instrumental in the establishment and growth of the Foundation from its very beginning in 1992. All three were honored with formal resolutions from the Board at the public meeting.
Mr. Beatty, one of the ultimate community-minded individuals of all time in Talbot County, explored the idea of a community foundation in the early 1990s. By 1992 he was able to secure the original seed money and then served for 15 years as treasurer and chairman of the finance committee. He also served on the grants committee and executive committee. At the meeting he was praised as ‘the ultimate personification of the perfect Board member’.
Mr. Capute has held the integral role of chairman of the board for all 15 years. He has been an outstanding ambassador for the Foundation and has educated many in the Mid-Shore area of the benefits the MSCF affords individuals when planning their estate wills. The Board recognized Mr. Capute for his ‘wisdom, leadership, tireless labor and countless hours’ that have led the Foundation ‘through a successful start up phase of its life cycle.’
Mr. Vermilye was recognized as an ‘outspoken public champion for the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’. For years he served as chair of the nominating committee and has been consistently responsible for connecting individuals and organizations with the Foundation.
“These three gentlemen, these three pillars of our community, will be sorely missed,” said Mr. Granville. “They have been responsible for an incredible 15 years and the Foundation is in excellent position to embark on the next 15.”
These three board members, along with T. Hughlett Henry and Charles E. Wheeler were the original five founders of the MSCF. To honor and commemorate the vision of these founders, this year’s annual fund appeal for MSCF will be named The Founders’ Fund. It will benefit the Foundation’s unrestricted funds which feed directly into community grants.
Last year 230 organizations received $756,000 in grants. But the Foundation receives many more requests than it can address. This Founders’ Fund will have a direct impact on these requests. It will help the MSCF strive to connect private resources with public needs throughout the five counties of the mid-shore.
Also at the public meeting several individuals were recognized for their service to their community and the Foundation.
William ‘Buck’ Duncan, president of Talbot Bank, was awarded membership into the MSCF Golden Key Society. The Golden Key Society honors professional advisors who have opened the door to philanthropy and have guided their clients to MSCF in order to meet their client’s charitable objectives through estate or financial planning. Through Mr. Duncan’s advice the Woman’s Club of Denton opened a fund at the MSCF with the proceeds from the sale of their property in Denton. This fund will allow the Woman’s Club to pursue their community service goals for years to come.
The Town Watch Society had two new inductees at the meeting. Duane Hilghman and David Bryan were recognized for their dedication to community as evidenced by their support in recommending the MSCF to others resulting in the formation of 5 new funds. The Town Watch Society is named after a “town watch” militia of prominent citizens formed in 1813 by Thomas J. Bullitt to protect their communities during the War of 1812.
The final award of the evening was the J. McKinney Willis, Jr. Community Service Award. Mr. Willis’ impact on the quality of life in our region is legendary. As one colleague noted, ‘there is not a charitable institution of importance to the Mid-Shore region that Mr. Willis did not meaningfully assist during his long and active philanthropic career.” These included the United Fund of Talbot County, Easton Memorial Hospital, the YMCA, the Talbot County Free Library, as well as playing an important role in the integration of the public schools in the Mid-Shore.
To commemorate Mr. Willis and to honor present day community leaders, the J. McKinney Willis, Jr. Community Service Award is presented to a Mid-Shore non-profit organization that has made significant contributions to our community, and to the individual who has had the greatest impact on that organization’s long-term success. This year two awards were presented.
Larry Neviaser, past president and continual volunteer for Habitat for Humanity of Talbot and Dorchester Counties, was the evening’s first recipient of the Willis Community Service Award. Under his guidance and leadership, Habitat for Humanity of Talbot County looked beyond their home county border and entered into partnership with volunteers from Dorchester County to help deserving families achieve their dream of homeownership. Mr. Neviaser was honored with the Willis Community Service Award for his foresight that went beyond county boundaries to help make a positive impact on our region.
Tom Stevenson was also awarded the J. McKinney Willis, Jr. Community Service Award for his work with the Kent Center in Chestertown. Through Mr. Stevenson’s dedicated leadership as campaign chair, the Kent Center raised $5 million for the construction of a new 22,000 sq. foot center that just opened in May 2007. The Kent Center provides opportunities for productive, independent living and community integration for adult individuals with developmental disabilities. Mr. Stevenson was honored for his dedication and enthusiasm that has made it possible for the people in Kent and northern Queen Anne’s counties with disabilities to stay in their home communities and thrive.
Both Mr. Neviaser and Mr. Stevenson were presented with plaques, and checks were presented in their honor to their respective charities (Habitat for Humanity of Talbot and Dorchester Counties, and The Kent Center).
The public meeting was a culmination of 15 very successful years for the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. Assets have grown from $230,000 to over $35 million and annual grants have grown from just $11,000 to $756,000. The Mid-Shore Community Foundation is a recognized leader and partner in strengthening the mid-shore community of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties.
For more information on how the MSCF can help you with your community/charity objectives, please call 410-820-8175.
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