Coastal REALTORS® Foundation Awards $4,750 in Grants to Five Local Nonprofit Organizations

SALISBURY, Md. — The Coastal REALTORS® Foundation is proud to announce the award of $4,750 in community grants to five local nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life throughout Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. The grants were presented during a special recognition ceremony celebrating the organizations and the REALTOR® members who nominated them.

The 2026 grant recipients include:

• United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore – Funding will support the organization's Secret Santa Program, which provides holiday gifts and breakfast baskets to children and families in need across the Lower Eastern Shore.
• Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County – Grant funding will help bridge construction costs for two new affordable homes, giving local families the opportunity to achieve safe, stable homeownership.
• New Dimensions Family Ministries – Funding will support the organization's free annual Vacation Bible School, providing educational activities, meals, transportation assistance, mentorship, and family fellowship for children and families.
• Surfers Healing OC Association – The grant will help fund permits, insurance, meals, commemorative T-shirts, and other essential expenses for the organization's surf camp, creating unforgettable experiences for children and young adults on the autism spectrum.
• The Atlantic Club – Funding will support recovery programs, peer support services, wellness activities, family events, and other resources that help individuals and families impacted by addiction.

"The Coastal REALTORS® Foundation exists because our members care deeply about the communities where they live and work," said Joni Williamson, Chair of the Coastal REALTORS® Foundation and Major Fundraising Committee. "These grants are a reflection of REALTORS® investing in organizations that create lasting, positive change across Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore."

The Foundation also recognized the REALTOR® members who submitted grant applications on behalf of the recipient organizations:

• David Leiderman
• Don Bailey
• Ashley Collins
• Bonnie Flinn
• Donna Frankowski

Their volunteerism and advocacy helped connect deserving nonprofits with funding that will directly benefit local residents.

The Coastal REALTORS® Foundation also extends its sincere appreciation to the members of the Coastal Foundation & Major Fundraising Committee, whose dedication and thoughtful review of each application ensures Foundation resources are invested where they can have the greatest community impact.

The Foundation's ability to award grants is made possible through the generosity of Coastal REALTORS® members, sponsors, and community supporters. Annual fundraising efforts—including the Spring Fling and the upcoming Coastal REALTORS® Foundation Golf Tournament—provide the resources that allow the Foundation to continue supporting local charitable organizations.

"Every sponsorship, registration, donation, and volunteer hour contributes to something much larger than a single event," said Terrence McGowan, Association President. "Together, our members are demonstrating that REALTORS® don't just help people find homes—they help build stronger communities."

The Coastal REALTORS® Foundation, a donor-advised fund administered through the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, provides funding opportunities to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations nominated by Coastal REALTORS® members. Through charitable giving and member engagement, the Foundation continues to strengthen communities across Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties.

About the Coastal REALTORS® Foundation

The Coastal REALTORS® Foundation is the charitable arm of the Coastal Association of REALTORS®. Established to empower REALTORS® to support the causes they care about most, the Foundation provides grants to local 501(c)(3) organizations serving Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. Funding is made possible through member contributions, community donations, and annual fundraising events, including the Spring Fling and the Coastal REALTORS® Foundation Golf Tournament. The Foundation is administered in partnership with the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.

More About Coastal Association of REALTORS®
The Coastal Association of REALTORS® proudly represents more than 1,000 real estate professionals throughout Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties. These members are engaged, informed, and active in their communities. They support the American dream of homeownership, as well as the purchase and use of all types of real property.

They are local. They are accurate. They are trusted. They are REALTORS® and Affiliate members.

For more information about Coastal Association of REALTORS®, visit www.coastalrealtors.org.

The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies real estate professionals who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Bernie Flax
410-641-4409
bernie@coastalrealtors.org