The Community Trust Foundation Inc
The Community Trust Foundation Inc. is a public charity based in Cumberland, Maryland, that makes grants to support communities in Allegany and Garrett Counties, Maryland, and Mineral County, West Virginia. Founded in 2006, it describes its role as connecting donors and community groups to strengthen the region.
The Community Trust Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Community Trust Foundation Inc gave $253K across 21 grants in 2024 (avg $12K), mostly in Maryland. 43% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $252,744
- +42.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 21
- +50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $12,035
- -5.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $14,485,015
- +34.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 43% first-time grantees (9 of 21, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (81% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Community Trust Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website directs applicants to submit grant requests through its Grant Portal. Its stated eligibility includes 501(c)(3) organizations and agencies, organizations with a 501(c)(3) sponsor, and recognized governmental entities. Applications must describe the proposed program and its expected community impact; the foundation says grant recipients must submit reports.
- Review Cycle
- The website describes a general annual cycle from January 1 through February 28, with applications reviewed in March, award notifications in May, and awards presented in person in June. The separately posted 2025 cycle deadline of February 28, 2025, has passed.
- Deadline
- The website describes a general annual cycle from January 1 through February 28, with applications reviewed in March,…
- Contact
Mailing address: 112 Baltimore Street, Cumberland, MD 21502
Phone: (301) 876-9172
Website: https://ctfinc.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Community Trust Foundation Inc
Who The Community Trust Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was WVU Foundation ($30K). Together the top 10 received $164K.
Grant Size Distribution
67 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 64 grants of 67 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that it serves Allegany and Garrett Counties in Maryland and Mineral County in West Virginia. In filing year 2024, 81% of grant dollars went to recipients in Maryland and 19% to recipients in West Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Community Trust Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
43%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 21 grantees (43%) were first-time recipients. With only 21 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 43% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−15%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $90K (2020) to $298K (2021). In 2024 it made 21 grants totaling $253K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| WVU Foundation Morgantown, WV | Education & Youth Leadership | $30,000 |
| Music at Penn Alps Inc Grantsville, MD | Education & Youth Leadership | $22,800 |
| Emmanual Episcopal Parish Inc Cumberland, MD | Arts & Historical Preservation | $20,000 |
| Allegany Youth Enrichment Prog Serv Inc Cumberland, MD | Education & Youth Leadership | $19,000 |
| Garrett County Historical Society Oakland, MD | Arts & Historical Preservation | $16,500 |
| Deep Creek Watershed Fnd Inc Oakland, MD | Vibrant Communities | $12,400 |
| Garrett Lakes Arts Festival MC Henry, MD | Arts & Historical Preservation | $12,000 |
| Allegany County Animal Shelter Cumberland, MD | Health & Wellness | $11,369 |
| Evergreen Heritage Center Foundation Inc Frostburg, MD | Education & Youth Leadership | $10,000 |
| Allegany County United Way Cumberland, MD | Education & Youth Leadership | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $14,485,015 | $3,534,298 | $789,662 | $252,744 | 21 | $509,114 |
| 2023 | $10,797,505 | $1,069,333 | $562,723 | $177,458 | 14 | $319,678 |
| 2022 | $9,375,020 | $849,070 | $685,443 | $251,683 | 12 | $195,784 |
| 2021 | $10,693,451 | $1,532,883 | $664,717 | $298,258 | 13 | $1,076,093 |
| 2020 | $9,773,040 | $1,828,931 | $350,937 | $90,134 | 7 | $1,042,087 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to strengthen the region by working in partnership with donors and community groups. It says it does this by building philanthropic resources, connecting donors with organizations and programs they care about, and making grants that address community needs.
The foundation says grants support arts and historical preservation, education and youth leadership, health and wellness, vibrant communities, and a thriving environment. Its website describes grants as typically providing start-up or short-term funding for innovative projects addressing emerging needs or longer-term issues. It makes grants to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and agencies in its service area; it also identifies recognized governmental entities and organizations with a 501(c)(3) sponsor as eligible in its grant requirements.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate a range of work. The Garrett County Historical Society describes its mission as securing, preserving, and sharing county history through museum operations and cultural activities. The Deep Creek Watershed Foundation says it supports scientific study, environmental protection, and education related to the watershed. The Allegany County Animal Shelter says it cares for unwanted companion animals in Allegany County.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 21 grants totaling $252,744. The grants ranged from $5,100 to $30,000, with a median grant of $10,000. The foundation’s website describes typical grants for its 2025 competitive cycle as ranging from $2,500 to $10,000.
Among the largest reported 2024 grants were $30,000 to WVU Foundation for education and youth leadership; $22,800 to Music at Penn Alps for education and youth leadership; $20,000 to Emmanuel Episcopal Parish for arts and historical preservation; and $19,000 to Allegany Youth Enrichment Program Services for education and youth leadership. Other recipients included Garrett County Historical Society ($16,500), Deep Creek Watershed Foundation ($12,400), and Allegany County Animal Shelter ($11,369).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Mirjhanna Buck as president, Amy White as vice president, Ray Morriss as secretary, Leah Shaffer as executive director, and Jamie Echefu as treasurer. It also lists Karen Myers, Christine Sisler, Marion Leonard, Joyce Flinn, and Chelsea Stuck as trustees.
The Community Trust Foundation Inc is led by Leah Shaffer, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 15 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Leah Shaffer
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$36K (2020) → $81K (2024)
Mirjhanna Buck
President
Trustee → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chelsea Stuck
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joyce Flinn
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Margaret Miltenberger
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marion Leonard
Trustee
President → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicholas Monteleone
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pam Jan
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sherri Sensabaugh
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stacey Boggs
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christine Sisler
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Myers
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ray Morriss
Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy White
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jamie Echefu
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Jeff Rhodes (2020–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Martin Heise (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Griffin Detrick (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Vic Rezendes (2020–2021) — President
- Former: David Moran (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Dinah Courrier (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Kathy Getty (2020) — Vice President
- Former: R. Terry Stephens (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Shane Grady (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Todd Pyles (2020) — Trustee
- Former: William Grant (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $81K, to Leah Shaffer (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Community Trust Foundation Inc
How much does The Community Trust Foundation Inc give each year?
The Community Trust Foundation Inc gave $253K across 21 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $177K across 14 grants.
What is The Community Trust Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Community Trust Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $12,035, across 21 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Community Trust Foundation Inc that year got $11K on average.
Where does The Community Trust Foundation Inc give grants?
The Community Trust Foundation Inc gives mostly in Maryland: 81% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was West Virginia (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cumberland, MD (8 grants), Oakland, MD (3 grants), Frostburg, MD (3 grants) and MC Henry, MD (2 grants).
Does The Community Trust Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 21 grants with a stated purpose on The Community Trust Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Arts & Historical Preservation" (8 grants), "Education & Youth Leadership" (7 grants) and "Health & Wellness" (4 grants).
Who are The Community Trust Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Community Trust Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include WVU Foundation ($30,000), Music at Penn Alps Inc ($22,800) and Emmanual Episcopal Parish Inc ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Community Trust Foundation Inc?
The Community Trust Foundation Inc reported $14.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.5M.
What does The Community Trust Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to strengthen the region by working in partnership with donors and community groups. It says it does this by building philanthropic resources, connecting donors with organizations and programs they care about, and making grants that address community needs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Community Trust Foundation Inc?
The foundation’s website directs applicants to submit grant requests through its Grant Portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Community Trust Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Community Trust Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 68-0629840. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 28, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Community Trust Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Community Trust Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Community Trust Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-community-trust-foundation-inc-morg_64bc8be4f68e40f3a8b1cd230054f0af
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_680629840_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Community Trust Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-community-trust-foundation-inc-morg_64bc8be4f68e40f3a8b1cd230054f0af},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Community Trust Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Community Trust Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?