The Richard A. Henson Foundation concentrates its giving on regional community infrastructure in Maryland’s Eastern Shore and nearby areas, prioritizing higher education, youth development, and place-based cultural institutions. Grants skew toward capital campaigns and substantial operating support for a small set of repeat grantees (community college and university foundations, Junior Achievement, regional museums and service organizations). The foundation favors large, project-focused awards that build local facilities and sustain youth and community-serving programs.
Richard a Henson Foundation Inc concentrates large, recurring grants around Salisbury and Maryland’s Eastern Shore, with a clear preference for capital campaigns and ongoing support for local institutions. The foundation’s recent pattern includes repeated seven-figure-scale commitments to community college, youth development, and cultural projects, alongside operating support for service organizations that serve the same region. One of its most visible priorities is education infrastructure: Wor Wic Community College Foundation received $401,000 in 2024 and $400,000 in 2025 for capital campaign work. Youth financial literacy is another sustained thread, shown by $446,667 to Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore in 2024 for capital campaign and operations, following a similar grant in 2023 for operating expenses. The foundation also backs place-based cultural assets, including $433,333 to Hagerstown Aviation Museum for a capital campaign and $200,000 to Salisbury University Foundation for a new planetarium. Across these grants, the foundation supports physical facilities, recurring programs, and organizations tied to community-serving infrastructure.
Higher education is a major theme in the foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $401,000 in 2024 and $400,000 in 2025 to Wor Wic Community College Foundation for capital campaign support, and $200,000 in 2024 to Salisbury University Foundation for a new planetarium. Youth development is another visible area: Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore received $446,667 in 2023 for operating expenses and the same amount in 2024 for capital campaign and operations. The foundation also supports community stability and services. Habitat for Humanity received $201,000 in 2023 for operating expenses, while Healthport received $125,000 in 2025 for a capital campaign. Cultural and heritage programming appears in grants such as $32,000 in 2025 to Skipjack Heritage for operating expenses and $50,000 in 2023 to National Folk Festival for operating expenses.
Typical grants fall in a mid-five-figure range, with p25 at $7,578, median at $16,421, and p75 at $41,750. The recent record also shows several much larger awards, especially for capital campaigns and ongoing support. Grantmaking is clearly repetitive: the same organizations appear across multiple years, including Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore, Wor Wic Community College Foundation, Salisbury Christian School, and Delmarva Council Boy Scouts of America. The foundation uses a mix of general grantmaking channels, including LOI-driven and invited application processes. Its stated program types include charitable projects, operating support, scholarships, and capital campaigns.
$2.6M
$38.6M
$4.8M
$2.9M
Most grants fall between $8K and $42K, with a median of $16K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$16K
75th Percentile
$42K
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Relatively concentrated giving: few, large grants with repeat support to core regional grantees; emphasis on capital campaign funding and multi-grant relationships rather than many small awards.
Notable grantees: WOR WIC Community College Foundation, Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore, Hagerstown Aviation Museum, Salisbury University Foundation, Habitat for Humanity
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Maryland-based: 93% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state, and the top giving state is MD. Salisbury appears frequently as a recipient city, along with Hagerstown, Hebron, and Chance. Outside Maryland, the recent grants list includes Delmarva Council Boy Scouts of America in Dover, Delaware, showing a smaller cross-border regional reach. The overall pattern is local, centered on Salisbury and nearby Eastern Shore communities.
The foundation funds charitable projects, new or ongoing programs, operating support, scholarships, and capital campaigns. Recent examples include capital campaign support for higher education, operating support for youth and community organizations, and funding for cultural facilities such as a new planetarium.
Very concentrated. Maryland is the top state by grant count, and 93% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. The broader scope of giving is local, with most awards landing in Salisbury and nearby Maryland communities.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore, Wor Wic Community College Foundation, Salisbury Christian School, and Delmarva Council Boy Scouts of America. The pattern suggests ongoing support rather than one-time awards only.
The distribution centers on smaller awards, with p25 at $7,578, a median of $16,421, and p75 at $41,750. The recent grants list also includes larger capital and operating grants well above that range.
The foundation uses general grantmaking channels that include LOI-driven and invited application processes. One listed program says it accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry, while other general grantmaking pathways are marked as not accepting unsolicited applications.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRIENDS FOUNDATION OF WICOMICO PUBLIC LIBRARY | SALISBURY, MD | $1,000,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| HAGERSTOWN AVIATION MUSEUM | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $395,077 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE EASTERN SHORE | SALISBURY, MD | $252,580 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| HEALTHPORT | SALISBURY, MD | $125,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| UNITED WAY OF THE LOWER EASTER SHORE | SALISBURY, MD | $115,200 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| YMCA OF THE CHESAPEAKE | SALISBURY, MD | $90,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| DELMARVA COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA | DOVER, DE | $83,639 | 2026 | SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP AND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| ELEVEN 21 INC EPOCH DREAM CENTER | HEBRON, MD | $72,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSESOPERATING EXPENSES |
| SALISBURY UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | SALISBURY, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| SALISBURY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | SALISBURY, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE EASTERN SHORE | SALISBURY, MD | $30,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| SALVATION ARMY | SALISBURY, MD | $26,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| PREGNANCY CARE CENTER OF THE EASTERN SHORE | SALISBURY, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| MARYLAND FOLK FESTIVAL | SALISBURY, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| HAITIAN DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF DELMARVA | SALISBURY, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| CHESAPEAKE HOUSING MISSION | SALISBURY, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| CAMP PECOMETH | CENTREVILLE, MD | $20,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| SALISBURY URBAN MINISTRIES | SALISBURY, MD | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB METROPOLITAN BALTIMORE | SALISBURY, MD | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| LOWER SHORE AUTISM COMMUNITY | SALISBURY, MD | $16,610 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| BIG BROTHERSBIG SISTERS | SALISBURY, MD | $15,939 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| THE CHILD AND FAMILY FOUNDATION | SALISBURY, MD | $14,922 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| RESOURCE RECOVERY CENTER | SALISBURY, MD | $13,200 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| YOUNG LIFE SALISBURY | SALISBURY, MD | $12,500 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| HORIZONS DELMARVA | SALISBURY, MD | $10,500 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| VARIOUS | SALISBURY, MD | $10,010 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| MAIN STREET GYM | SALISBURY, MD | $10,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN | SALISBURY, MD | $10,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| VILLAGE OF HOPE | SALISBURY, MD | $8,800 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| ROTARY CLUB OF SALISBURY | SALISBURY, MD | $7,500 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| GIRLS ON THE RUN | ANNAPOLIS, MD | $5,250 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| WOR WIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | SALISBURY, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| SYMPHONY 21 | SALISBURY, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| LIFE CRISIS CENTER | SALISBURY, MD | $2,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF WICOMICO COUNTY | FRUITLAND, MD | $1,250 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| SALISBURY SUNRISE ROTARY CLUB | SALISBURY, MD | $1,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| SKIPJACK HERITAGE | CHANCE, MD | $1,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| WOR WIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | SALISBURY, MD | $400,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE EASTERN SHORE | SALISBURY, MD | $205,500 | 2025 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| DELMARVA COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA | DOVER, DE | $146,157 | 2025 | SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP AND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| HEALTHPORT | SALISBURY, MD | $125,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| ELEVEN 21 INC EPOCH DREAM CENTER | HEBRON, MD | $102,309 | 2025 | OPERATING EXPENSESOPERATING EXPENSES |
| SALISBURY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | SALISBURY, MD | $50,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION |
| SKIPJACK HERITAGE | CHANCE, MD | $32,000 | 2025 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| YMCA OF THE CHESAPEAKE | SALISBURY, MD | $30,000 | 2025 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE EASTERN SHORE | SALISBURY, MD | $30,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN AND OPERATIONS |
| EASTERSEALS | SALISBURY, MD | $25,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| CHESAPEAKE HOUSING MISSION | SALISBURY, MD | $25,000 | 2025 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| HAITIAN DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF DELMARVA | SALISBURY, MD | $25,000 | 2025 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| MARYLAND FOLK FESTIVAL | SALISBURY, MD | $25,000 | 2025 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
FRIENDS FOUNDATION OF WICOMICO PUBLIC LIBRARY
$1,000,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
HAGERSTOWN AVIATION MUSEUM
$395,077CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
HEALTHPORT
$125,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
UNITED WAY OF THE LOWER EASTER SHORE
$115,200OPERATING EXPENSES
YMCA OF THE CHESAPEAKE
$90,000OPERATING EXPENSES
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP AND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
ELEVEN 21 INC EPOCH DREAM CENTER
$72,000OPERATING EXPENSESOPERATING EXPENSES
SALISBURY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$50,000OPERATING EXPENSES
SALVATION ARMY
$26,000OPERATING EXPENSES
PREGNANCY CARE CENTER OF THE EASTERN SHORE
$25,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
MARYLAND FOLK FESTIVAL
$25,000OPERATING EXPENSES
HAITIAN DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF DELMARVA
$25,000OPERATING EXPENSES
CAMP PECOMETH
$20,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
SALISBURY URBAN MINISTRIES
$20,000OPERATING EXPENSES
LOWER SHORE AUTISM COMMUNITY
$16,610OPERATING EXPENSES
BIG BROTHERSBIG SISTERS
$15,939OPERATING EXPENSES
THE CHILD AND FAMILY FOUNDATION
$14,922OPERATING EXPENSES
RESOURCE RECOVERY CENTER
$13,200OPERATING EXPENSES
YOUNG LIFE SALISBURY
$12,500OPERATING EXPENSES
HORIZONS DELMARVA
$10,500OPERATING EXPENSES
VARIOUS
$10,010OPERATING EXPENSES
MAIN STREET GYM
$10,000OPERATING EXPENSES
WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN
$10,000OPERATING EXPENSES
VILLAGE OF HOPE
$8,800OPERATING EXPENSES
ROTARY CLUB OF SALISBURY
$7,500OPERATING EXPENSES
GIRLS ON THE RUN
$5,250OPERATING EXPENSES
SYMPHONY 21
$5,000OPERATING EXPENSES
LIFE CRISIS CENTER
$2,000OPERATING EXPENSES
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF WICOMICO COUNTY
$1,250OPERATING EXPENSES
SALISBURY SUNRISE ROTARY CLUB
$1,000OPERATING EXPENSES
SKIPJACK HERITAGE
$1,000OPERATING EXPENSES
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP AND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
HEALTHPORT
$125,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
ELEVEN 21 INC EPOCH DREAM CENTER
$102,309OPERATING EXPENSESOPERATING EXPENSES
SALISBURY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$50,000CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION
SKIPJACK HERITAGE
$32,000OPERATING EXPENSES
YMCA OF THE CHESAPEAKE
$30,000OPERATING EXPENSES
EASTERSEALS
$25,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
HAITIAN DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF DELMARVA
$25,000OPERATING EXPENSES
MARYLAND FOLK FESTIVAL
$25,000OPERATING EXPENSES
Current and upcoming funding from Richard A Henson Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Administered by Community Foundation of the Eastern Shor
Who can apply: Eligible programs must provide direct meal assistance or food/groceries in Wicomico, Worcester, or Somerset counties.
Deadline: Rolling basis until funds are exhausted.
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