Richard B Shorten Family Foundation
This organization is a private foundation dedicated to providing financial support to various charitable causes. Its mission focuses on enhancing community well-being through unrestricted program support and specific initiatives aimed at youth development and services for older adults. The foundation primarily serves organizations that offer essential services such as youth camps, hospice care, and outreach programs. It operates predominantly within the state of Maryland, reflecting a commitment to addressing local community needs.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A Maryland-based nonprofit (especially in Frederick or the surrounding county) providing human services such as youth development, hospice, or older-adult support that can be recommended or introduced through local networks.
Good Fit
- • Located in Maryland, preferably in the Frederick area.
- • Work focused on human services, youth programs, hospice, or older-adult services.
- • Program or general operating need at a scale appropriate for a $20,000 award.
- • Has connections or referrals within local philanthropic or nonprofit networks.
Geography
Observed giving in the latest year was confined to a single state (Maryland), with all grants made to in-state organizations.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows four distinct independent recipients each receiving equal awards; that is a modest but real spread for a micro private foundation, though the absolute number of grantees is small.
New Applicants
The foundation explicitly indicates it funds only preselected applicants, and there is no public application process; although the four 2024 grantees were new that year, the invitation-only declaration and lack of public submission routes make it unlikely an unfamiliar applicant could reliably enter the portfolio without a referral.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
