PO Box 521 Salisbury, Maryland 21803

MAGI Fund – About Us

History

The Magi Fund, Inc. was founded in September 1994 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit for the sole purpose of raising funds for the Joseph House Center and the Christian Shelter.

A group of volunteers from the community formed a steering committee to oversee the Magi Fund. The committee remains an all-volunteer group and conducts its affairs and activities to the glory of God.

To involve the community-at-large in its fundraising efforts, the Magi Fund held a Magi Choral Festival in 1994. It involved approximately 350 persons from throughout the region: elementary, secondary and college students; the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra; individuals from various choral groups, choirs and churches; and persons who just wanted to sing. The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore provided a $1,500 grant to launch the event. Public reception was so positive that the Magi Fund held another Choral Festival the following year, the year after that, and so on until the event became a beloved annual tradition. Show themes and performers have varied throughout the years, but they are always held before Thanksgiving. Tickets are always very much in demand and generally sell out.

In addition, the Magi Fund raises money each year through direct mail and personal solicitations for the two charities it contends are “doing the most for those with the least.”

The Magi Fund solicits Corporate Sponsors and sells ads for its Magi Fund Concerts. It uses these funds to defray any costs associated with performances, so that every cent raised from donations goes to benefit the two charities.

From its humble beginnings, the Magi Fund has raised over $3 million for the Joseph House Center and the Christian Shelter. It has also established a permanent endowment fund at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore for the benefit of the two charities. They will receive proceeds from the endowment in perpetuity.

Services, Those Served and Service Area

The Magi Fund serves two charitable organizations: the Joseph House Center and the Christian Shelter.

The Joseph House Center is a ministry of the Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary. Its two components, the Crisis Center and Joseph’s Workshop, seek to stabilize family life and meet basic needs for those in crisis or impoverished situations by providing food, clothing, financial and budgeting help, job counseling, friendship, guidance and spiritual direction. Volunteers help empower clients to solve their problems, offering unconditional love, respect, acceptance, and the forgiveness of Christ to all while bringing Christ’s healing presence into wounded families.

The Christian Shelter, Inc. was founded to meet the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of the homeless through a Christ-centered, home-like atmosphere. The Shelter offers temporary housing, food and clothing to individuals and families. The Shelter also assists its guests needing help with health issues, employment, addiction, family concerns and transportation.

The services of Joseph House Center and Christian Shelter are available to all without regard for age, sex, race or religion.

The service area for these charities is generally the three Lower Eastern Shore Counties of Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester, although both also serve persons who come from throughout the Delmarva Peninsula and even other states and countries.

Affiliations and Partnerships

The Magi Fund has only two non-profit affiliations: the Joseph House Center and the Christian Shelter. All fundraising by the Magi Fund is for the benefit of these ministries. The Magi Fund partners with businesses and nonprofit organizations for the annual Choral Festival and other fundraising endeavors.

Governance

The Magi Fund leadership is composed of a Steering Committee that makes decisions about the activities of the organization and a Resource Committee that is composed of individuals available for specific needs. Both include individuals who are actively involved in numerous social, civic, political and religious organizations. The Steering Committee is the organization’s governing board.

The Steering Committee voted unanimously to participate in all endowment fundraising activities and to support the effort with their time, talents and financial resources to the best of each member’s ability.

Recognition

The Magi Fund has been honored with the Richard A. Henson Award for Nonprofit Excellence, the Frank H. Morris Humanitarian Award, and the Salisbury Award for outstanding citizens making a difference in the community.

Through music, generosity, and faith, The Magi Fund supports the Joseph House Center and Christian Shelter in caring for those most in need on the Lower Shore.

Help make a lasting difference.

Your gift to the Magi Fund directly supports the Joseph House Center and Christian Shelter, providing food, shelter, and compassion to those who need it most. Join us in uniting our community to care for the least fortunate.