About Us

The Community Foundation is Your Partner in Giving

For three decades, we have helped translate simple good intentions into powerful acts of philanthropy that build a stronger, more vibrant community not only for today but for the future.

The first Community Foundation office was located at 106 West Second Street in historic downtown Frederick.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation is dedicated to connecting people who care with causes that matter to enrich the quality of life in Frederick County now and for future generations.

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If you're searching for an organization to help you create meaningful, lasting impact, then you've come to the right place.

Our History

Donald C. Linton, a founding father of the Community Foundation and trustee emeritus, has published a history of the Community Foundation. The book is available in electronic format by clicking here. A hard copy version can be obtained by calling our office at 301.695.7660.

The show of support is tangible evidence that Frederick County is a community of forward-thinking, caring citizens.

Donald C. Linton, November 1987 Founder's Dinner.

Highlights from 1986 through 1995

December 2, 1986 – the Articles of Incorporation are approved by the Maryland State Department of Assessment and Taxation.
December 4, 1986 – the first meeting of the Board of Trustees was held at the office of Linton, Shafer & Company with the entire board present: Donald C. Linton, Chairman; Charles V. Main, Vice-Chairman; W. Jerome Offutt, Secretary-Treasurer, and Harold Wright. Additional trustees elected were: Donald V. Bovey; Samuel W. Barrick; Phillip A. Berkheimer; Albert H. Cohen; David Denton; Julia Hanna; Charles W. Hoff, III; Jack B. Kussmaul; Alma Moore Palm; Peggy Pilgrim; Frances A. Randall; Jacob R. Ramsburg, Jr.; Reverend Francis Reinberger; Ken Rice; Cynthia Sadler; Helen Swanson; Alfred P. Shockley; Kathryn Reed; Norman E. Waltz; Dr. Charles E. Wright; and Sen. Charles McC. Mathias, honorary trustee.
December 31, 1986 - a special board meeting was convened to accept a $10,000 gift from an anonymous donor.
November 30, 1987 - More than $500,000 was obtained in contributions, pledges and transferred funds in only three months of active fundraising. This major announcement was made at the Kick-Off Dinner held at the Sheraton Inn.
May 1988 – the first lease was signed for shared office space with the Jaycees at 106 West Second Street.
October 1988 – the First Annual Report to the Community was held at the Weinberg Center, announcing that the $1 million goal of contributions, pledges, and current assets had been met.
August 1990 – 14 grants totaling $14,440 were presented to Frederick County nonprofits in the first formalized grantmaking process.
June 1991 – 87 scholars receiving $54,000 for the 1991-1992 academic year were recognized at a luncheon.
July 1995 – Elizabeth Y. Day became executive director.

Highlights from 1996 through 2004

November 1996 – grantmaking exceeded $1 million for the first time.
December 1996 – the Community Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary.
June 1997 – assets under management reach $8.1 million.
December 1998 - $1.1 million was received from The Judge Edward S. Delaplaine Trust to support Frederick County nonprofits.
December 1999 – the Community Foundation moved to its current office location at 312 East Church Street, Frederick.
July 2000 – more than $3.2 million was received in contributions and more than $2 million was presented in grants and scholarships. Forty-nine new funds were created.
September 2001 – the Frederick County’s Gift to the September 11th Fund was created as a means for Frederick County residents to support the relief efforts and families affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
March 2002 – more than 380 scholarship applications were received, a record number.
November 2003 – the first Wertheimer Fellows for Excellence in Volunteerism were recognized: William O. Lee, Viola M. Noffsinger, and Gail A. Wood.
May 2004 – the Community Foundation reaches nearly $28 million in assets.

Highlights from 2005 through 2013

September 2005 – online giving through the Community Foundation’s website was launched.
March 2006 – in celebration of the Community Foundation’s 20th anniversary, the board of trustees created 20 Field of Interest Funds supporting education, community enhancements, health and human services, and special interests.
November 2007 – the Community Foundation’s assets grew to $44 million, and more than $2.7 million was presented in grants and scholarships.
March 2008 – the Community Foundation’s office expansion was completed.
April 2009 – the Professional Advisor Council was created.
September 2010 – The Community Foundation ranked 47th in "Most Gifts Per Capita,” 60th in "Most Activity Volume," and 84th in "Most Active Grantmakers” in a nationwide report by Community Foundation insights.
August 2011 – The Frederick County Human Needs Assessment Report was presented to the public and in September 2011, the first strategic grant applications were received.
June 2012 – the Community Foundation presented scholarships exceeding $500,000 for the first time.
June 2013 – the Community Foundation receives its largest planned gift to date from Calvin M. Murray, exceeding $20 million.

Highlights from 2014 to date

August 2014 – the first grants are made from The Calvin M. Murray Charitable Fund to Frederick Memorial Hospital and The Howard Chapel Ridgeville United Methodist Church.
September 2015 – the next expansion in office space is completed.
June 2016 – scholarship distributions exceed $1 million for the 2016-2017 academic year.
June 2017 – scholarship distributions exceed $1 million for the second consecutive year.
September 2018 – The 2018 Frederick County Human Needs Assessment Report was presented to the public and new strategic initiatives are developed to address Frederick County’s emerging needs.
June 2019 – The Forever Frederick County campaign is officially launched to establish a flexible and sizeable endowment fund, enabling the Community Foundation to proactively address the future needs of Frederick County.

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Meet Our Staff