
Ways to Give
Private donations are the building blocks of the Community Trust Foundation. It’s easy to create a new Fund at CTF to reflect your own charitable interests. We’ll work with you to define your charitable dream and determine the fund type that best meets your unique needs. We help make your charitable dream become reality by providing administrative services and financial management for your philanthropic fund.
Private Donations
There are two basic ways of giving: Direct Gifts and Planned Gifts.
Direct Gifts
These are gifts of cash, property, financial assets, royalties, intellectual property rights, etc. which are made during your lifetime to create a fund or contribute to an established fund.
Cash/Checks
IRA
If you are over 70-1/2, you may be able to take advantage of the law allowing an individual to make a gift to charity out of an IRA (a Qualified Charitable Distribution or QCD), without having to pay taxes on the amount withdrawn. There is no accompanying charitable income tax deduction, but under current tax law this type of gift could be a tax-free transaction. Learn more here.
Mutual Fund Shares
Stocks or Bonds
Real Estate
Planned Gifts
These are gifts made from your estate. Commonly used forms of planned gifts are:
Life Insurance
Gifts Through Your Estate
All gifts are subject to the approval of the Community Trust Foundation Board of Trustees. CTF’s gift acceptance policy is available upon request.
State Tax Credit Programs
These gifts can be made in the form of check, online, stock, or IRA.
Endow Maryland
The “Endow Maryland” tax credit encourages charitable giving in Maryland by offering a 25% state tax credit for donations of $500 or more to permanent endowed funds at the Community Trust Foundation (CTF) in Allegany and Garrett Counties. Learn more →
West Virginia Neighborhood Investment Program
The “WV NIP” tax credit program offers a 50% state tax credit for donations of $500 or more to the Meals on Wheels Endowed Fund at the Community Trust Foundation. Learn more →

Start a Fund
Establishing Fund Guidelines
With gifts of $10,000 or more you may create a new fund for your charitable intention, name your fund, and establish the criteria for awarding grants. With gifts of less than $10,000 you may contribute to an established fund or join with others to create a new fund to support a community need.
The Community Trust Foundation strongly encourages potential donors to consult their legal and tax advisors prior to making a gift to determine the most appropriate form of direct or planned giving for the donor’s individual circumstances.
Heritage Circle
The Heritage Circle of the Community Trust Foundation honors individuals who have pledged a financial contribution through a planned gift. Membership in the Heritage Circle is extended to philanthropists who support CTF’s mission of building stronger, more vibrant communities through their estate planning. Furthermore, the Heritage Circle celebrates their generous intentions and thanks them for making a positive difference in our region for good and forever.

Fund Management


