
Supporting our Community: Grants
The Community Trust Foundation (CTF) serves as a community leader in philanthropy by raising, managing and distributing funds to address identified needs in Allegany and Garrett Counties, Maryland and in Mineral County, West Virginia. We partner with area non-profits and donors to make effective grants and enable local citizens to generate local solutions in their communities. We make grants to non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations dedicated to building better, stronger, more vital communities in the region.
Since our inception in 2006, CTF has awarded over $7 million in grants, building stronger more vibrant communities. CTF grants support; the arts, education, historical preservation, health and wellness and building a thriving environment. We are committed to identifying high-priority needs and opportunities to make a significant positive impact on the community. CTF grants are typically used to provide start-up or short-term funding to innovative projects designed to meet emerging needs or with creative solutions to longer-term issues.
Need Funding? Apply For A Grant
We make grants to 501(c)(3) organizations and agencies in Allegany and Garrett Counties in Maryland and in Mineral County West Virginia. We do not make grants to individuals. Please address any questions to ctf@ctfinc.org or by phone at 301-876-9172.
All grant requests must be submitted using CTF’s Grant Portal. To access the Portal, click on the link below. Our general grant cycle is open from January 1 to February 28th of each year.
Once you submit your application, you cannot edit the form. Please review your answers before submitting. You will receive a confirmation email if your application was submitted.
Review the current application before before creating or starting a grant request.

CTF Grant Process
Grant Timeline
Grant Cycle Opens Jan 1st
Grant Cycles Application Deadline Feb 28th
Applications are reviewed in March
Award notifications are emailed in May
If approved, Awards are presented in person in June.
A representative must attend to accept the award. The award letter will state the time and location of the award ceremony.
Grant Requirements
Eligible organizations must be:
- 501(c)(3) organizations and agencies or have a sponsor 501 (c)(3) agency OR
- Recognized governmental entities including state, county, or city agencies such as health departments
- Educational facilities, such as K-12 public, private, or charter schools or school districts and higher education institutions
- Located in and/or primarily serve residents of Allegany and Garrett Counties in Maryland and in Mineral County West Virginia
- Non-discriminatory in the hiring of staff or in providing services based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin or disability
CTF’s General Grant applications shall not be used to request funds for:
- Programs that proselytize for specific political actions or religious beliefs
- General operating support
- Programs involving fundraising
- Reimbursement of past expenses
CTF Priority Funding Areas
Typical grant awards range from 2,500 to 10,000 in the following priority areas:
- Arts & Historical Preservation
- Education & Youth Leadership
- Health & Wellness
- Recreation & Thriving Environment
Local Donors, Local Dollars, Local Needs & Opportunities Funded!
The Community Trust Foundation granted $218,290 to 30 local charitable organizations through the foundation’s competitive granting cycle. Awards ranged from $1,000 to $30,000 to support community programs and initiatives in Allegany, Garrett, and Mineral Counties. Endowment funds created by individuals, families, and organizations are wisely invested and managed by CTF so that earnings can be granted out each year to increase the quality of life for those living in our region.
Nonprofits Awarded 2024 Grants
Allegany Arts Council
Allegany County Animal Shelter
Allegany College of Maryland Foundation
Allegany County Habitat for Humanity
Allegany County Historical Society
Allegany Youth Enrichment Program Services
County United Way
Cumberland Choral Society
Deep Creek Watershed Foundation
Frostburg State University Foundation
Frostburg United Methodist Church
Garrett College Foundation
Garrett County Historical Society
Garrett Lakes Arts Festival
Girls on the Rund of Mid & Western Maryland
HART for Animals
Jane Gates Heritage House
Keyser-Mineral County Library
Keyser Presbyterian Church
Mineral County Historical Foundation
Mineral County Little League
Mountain Lake Park Historical Association
Mountainside Baroque
Rotary Club of Keyser
Savage Mountain Punk Arts
The Greater Cumberland Committee
The Salvation Army-Cumberland, MD
Tri State Community Concert Association
Western Maryland Area Health Education Center
West Virginia University Foundation
Our Impact: A Focus on our Region
Building stronger, more vibrant communities is more than our slogan. It is what we do. Since our inception, we have awarded over $7 million in grants that in turn are shaping our community’s future with strategic investments. About half of our grants focus on education and preparing our children to be future leaders. We are also committed to improving the economic vitality of our area with over 40 percent of our grants going to the arts and historical preservation. The remaining grants focus on health and wellness and improving the quality of life and environment.