FAQs
We Are Currently Not Accepting Grant Applications
Please check back in late Spring / early Summer 2021
The Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation operates as a charitable organization designed to cultivate and reward entrepreneurship, create jobs and expand economic opportunity. Based in Annapolis Maryland, the Ratcliffe Foundation provides funds to institutions to encourage entrepreneurship in non-traditional business fields such as skilled trades, arts & design, and aquaculture & environmental sciences. The Ratcliffe Foundation strives to integrate its programs with the local communities through mentorships and business involvement.
GRANT PROGRAM INFORMATION
The Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation is currently NOT accepting new grant applications. You may check back in late spring/early summer 2021 for any updates.
What We Typically Fund
The Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation provides grant funds to not-for-profit institutions to foster entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic growth. Programs include industries ranging from the arts & aquaculture to the skilled trades. Many of the institutions provide training and seed funds to support innovation and new venture creation.
What We Do Not Fund
The Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation does not provide grant funding to individuals, For-profit businesses, political organization, K-12 education systems, and programs that do not align with our mission.
Our Priorities
We only award grants to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations.
Our priorities include working with community colleges, universities, and other organizations that support entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation. Within these programs there is an emphasis on cultivating entrepreneurship and growing small businesses in a variety of industries including:
Skilled Trades
Arts & Design
Aquaculture & Environmental Sciences
Types of programs we support:
Scholarships
Centers for Entrepreneurship
Seed funds through competition
Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP)
We support various activities relating to oyster aquaculture & watermen.
AACC Entrepreneurial Studies Institute, Ratcliffe Scholars Program
AACC provides financial support to students who are aspiring entrepreneurs or who currently own a business.
Center for Innovation & Growth at Baldwin Wallace University
The goal of CIG is to develop the next generation of leaders who can start, grow and reinvent things, whether they launch their own businesses or work for established companies.
CCBC Center for Business Innovation
CBI is dedicated to serving CCBC students and alumni who are interested in learning how to turn their ideas for new products, services, business and organizations into sustainable entities.
Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
The DSLCC Workforce & Entrepreneurial Center will expand the college’s capacity to deliver in-demand training and award industry credentials in the areas of advanced manufacturing, machining, welding, HVAC, and diesel mechanics.
ESCC Ratcliffe Scholars Associate in Applied Sciences in Technology
Through a generous grant from the Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation, ESCC will receive $613,480 over four years to offer stackable credentials with the goal to produce highly skilled, competent industrial technicians for employment in STEM related fields.
FIU Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator
Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator is an initiative aimed to promote and foster social entrepreneurship and innovation amongst upcoming FIU artists and designers.
Ratcliffe Environmental Entrepreneur Fellowship (REEF)
The Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology’s Ratcliffe Environmental Entrepreneur Fellow (REEF) Program enables environmental science graduate students to apply their research to real-world problems.
NACCE Philip E. & Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation Center of Entrepreneurship & Innovation
The annual NACCE Pitch for the Trades is just one way NACCE is accomplishing their mission by providing real value to members.
MICA Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship
Building on MICA’s dedicated commitment to helping creatives develop innovative, socially-conscious businesses, the Ratcliffe Center addresses the evolving needs of students and alumni in the new creative economy.
UMCES Shellfish Aquaculture Innovation Laboratory (SAIL)
The SAIL research hatchery was established in 2019 to support the growing industry by developing new technology and practices for shellfish growers to increase their production at low costs.
The Philip E. & Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation Shore Hatchery Program at Salisbury University
The Shore Hatchery competition is a ten year $2 million initiative which began in 2013. Startups have the opportunity to apply for a share of $200,000 annually.
The University of Baltimore Ratcliffe Entrepreneurship Fellows Program
The Entrepreneurship Fellows Program at The University of Baltimore offers a new way to educate the next generation of entrepreneurs. Thanks to the Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation, these student entrepreneurs are able to fully fund four semesters of their education (& some other living expenses) while developing their business.
Project Opportunity
Funding provided by the Phillip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation has allowed Project Opportunity to add four (4) additional components to its program.