The William E. Cross Foundation acts primarily as a family philanthropic vehicle that channels large, unrestricted program support into local philanthropic intermediaries in Frederick, MD. Nearly all giving is to other grantmaking or community-serving organizations (a charitable foundation and the local United Way), suggesting the foundation favors pooled, flexible support over direct service delivery. Its grants appear designed to strengthen local nonprofit infrastructure and community-directed funding.
Highly concentrated: very few, very large grants primarily to a small set of repeat recipients (two organizations across five grants), favoring unrestricted/program support and intermediary/pooled funding rather than many small direct-service grants.
William E Cross Foundation Inc C/o Don Linton channels most of its giving into local philanthropic intermediaries and community-serving organizations rather than direct individual support. The largest recent grant on file was $6,055,168 to We Cross Charitable Foundation Inc in Estero, Florida, for program services, followed by a $935,056 grant to the same recipient in 2024. That same pattern shows up in Maryland, where the foundation also supported United Way of Frederick County, The Community Foundation of Frederick County Maryland Inc, and Frederick Health Hospital Inc with program-service grants. The scale of giving is substantial for a small foundation: annual grants total $8,630,724 against assets of $7,615,487. The recent record suggests a preference for unrestricted or broadly usable support inside established organizations, especially those that can distribute funds, coordinate local services, or strengthen nonprofit infrastructure. In Frederick County, the foundation’s grants connect to community philanthropy, health, emergency human needs, and other pooled local service channels.
A clear theme is support for local community philanthropy. In 2025, the foundation gave $40,500 to The Community Foundation of Frederick County Maryland Inc for program services, after earlier grants of $18,000 in both 2023 and 2024 to the same organization. It also backed United Way of Frederick County with $82,000 in 2023, $67,000 in 2024, and $76,000 in 2025, showing repeated support for a local allocation hub. Health and emergency assistance also appear in the record: Frederick Health Hospital Inc received $33,000 in 2024, $27,500 in 2025, and $27,500 in 2023, while The Religous Coalition for Emergency Human Needs received $21,880 in 2023. Education is another visible area, with Fred Community College Foundation Inc receiving $20,000 in 2023 and $25,000 and $15,000 in 2025 and 2024.
The foundation’s typical grant size is modest relative to its largest awards: p25 is $2,500, median is $5,000, and p75 is $10,000. The recent file also shows a few very large program-service grants, including multi-million-dollar support to a single charitable foundation and repeated six-figure or mid-five-figure grants to local intermediaries. Recipients appear across multiple years, especially United Way of Frederick County, Frederick Health Hospital Inc, and The Community Foundation of Frederick County Maryland Inc, which points to recurring relationships rather than one-off gifts. The structure looks like a family philanthropic vehicle, and the grants are program-service based rather than individual aid or program-related investments.
$405K
$8M
$972K
$600K
Most grants fall between $3K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Notable grantees: WE Cross Charitable Foundation Inc, United Way of Frederick County
Giving is overwhelmingly in the United States, and within that footprint the foundation’s activity is concentrated in Maryland. The top recipient city in the recent list is Frederick, with grants to United Way of Frederick County, The Community Foundation of Frederick County Maryland Inc, Frederick Health Hospital Inc, Fred Community College Foundation Inc, and Beyond Shelter Frederick. Other Maryland recipients include New Windsor, Gaithersburg, and Rockville. Outside Maryland, the recent grants reach Estero, Naples, Fort Myers, and Lewes, but the overall recipient-country distribution remains entirely U.S.-based.
The recent grants show support mainly for philanthropic intermediaries and community-serving organizations. Examples include The Community Foundation of Frederick County Maryland Inc, United Way of Frederick County, Frederick Health Hospital Inc, and The Religous Coalition for Emergency Human Needs, all funded for program services.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including United Way of Frederick County, Frederick Health Hospital Inc, The Community Foundation of Frederick County Maryland Inc, Brethren Disaster Ministries, and Fred Community College Foundation Inc. That pattern suggests recurring relationships.
The foundation’s typical grants are relatively small compared with its largest awards: p25 is $2,500, the median is $5,000, and p75 is $10,000. The recent record also includes larger program-service grants to a small number of recurring recipients.
Maryland is the top state by grant count, and 81% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state. Frederick appears frequently in the recipient list, along with New Windsor and Gaithersburg.
The grant record points to local community philanthropy, health, emergency human needs, education, and community services. Named examples include community foundation support in Frederick, funding for Frederick Health Hospital Inc, aid to The Religous Coalition for Emergency Human Needs, and support for Fred Community College Foundation Inc.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNITED WAY OF FREDERICK COUNTY | FREDERICK, MD | $77,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| FREDERICK HEALTH HOSPITAL INC | FREDERICK, MD | $28,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| FRED COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC | FREDERICK, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| BRETHREN DISASTER MINISTRIES | NEW WINDSOR, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF FREDERICK COUNTY MARYLAND INC | FREDERICK, MD | $20,500 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| MISSION OF MERCY | FREDERICK, MD | $15,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF FREDERICK COUNTY INC DBA HERITAGE FREDERICK | FREDERICK, MD | $11,600 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| SALVATION ARMY- FREDERICK CO | FREDERICK, MD | $11,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| FREDERICK RESCUE MISSION INC | FREDERICK, MD | $11,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| DOWNTOWN FREDERICK PARTNERSHIP | FREDERICK, MD | $10,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| NEELSVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | GERMANTOWN, MD | $10,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| HEARTLY HOUSE INC | FREDERICK, MD | $10,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| BEYOND SHELTER FREDERICK | FREDERICK, MD | $10,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| BIG BLUE FOUNDATION | FREDERICK, MD | $7,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| THURMONT SENIOR CENTER INC | THURMONT, MD | $7,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT FUND OF MOUNT OLIVET CEMETERY INC | FREDERICK, MD | $7,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| FRIENDS OF MEALS ON WHEELS OF FREDERICK COUNTY INC | FREDERICK, MD | $7,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| WILLIAM F MORAN JR MUSEUM AND FOUNDATION | MIDDLETOWN, MD | $6,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| FRED CO 4H THERAPEUTIC RIDING PROGRAM | THURMONT, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| COMMUNITY LIVING INC | FREDERICK, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CIVIL WAR MEDICINE | FREDERICK, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| ADVOCATES FOR THE AGING | FREDERICK, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF FREDERICK | FREDERICK, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| CELEBRATE FREDERICK | FREDERICK, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| GLADE VALLEY CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN | WALKERSVILLE, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| DAYBREAK ADULT DAY SERVICES INC | FREDERICK, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| SETON CENTER INC | EMMITSBURG, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| MENTAL HEALTH ASSOC OF FREDERICK COUNTY | FREDERICK, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| WEINBURG CENTER FOR THE ARTS | FREDERICK, MD | $4,500 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| GLADE VALLEY COMMUNITY SERVICES | WALKERSVILLE, MD | $4,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| SOPHIE & MADIGAN'S PLAYGROUND | FREDERICK, MD | $4,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHOIR INC | GAITHERSBURG, MD | $3,500 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| OPUS COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL | ELDERSBURG, MD | $3,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| THE FREDERICK CHORALE INC | FREDERICK, MD | $3,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| ST VINCENT DEPAUL SOCIETY DISTRICT COUNCIL INC | NAPLES, FL | $3,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION | FREDERICK, MD | $3,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| FRIENDS OF CARROLL CREEK URBAN PARK INC | FREDERICK, MD | $3,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| THE FREDERICK CHILDREN'S CHORUS INC | WOODSBORO, MD | $2,500 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| GALE HOUSE RECOVERY INC | FREDERICK, MD | $2,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| STEADFAST STANDING FIRM AGAINST YOUTH HOMELESSNESS | FREDERICK, MD | $2,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| SAN MAR CHILDREN'S HOME INC | BOONSBORO, MD | $2,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| MARYLAND ENSEMBLE THEATRE INC | FREDERICK, MD | $2,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| HURWITZ BREAST CANCER FUND | FREDERICK, MD | $2,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF FREDERICK COUNTY MD | FREDERICK, MD | $2,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| THE MONOCACY FOUNDATION | FREDERICK, MD | $2,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| CALVARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | NASHVILLE, TN | $2,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| FREDERICK ARTS COUNCIL | FREDERICK, MD | $2,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| CASA OF FREDERICK COUNTY | FREDERICK, MD | $2,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| THURMONT SENIOR CENTER INC | THURMONT, MD | $1,500 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
| THE MD SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF FOUNDATION | FREDERICK, MD | $1,000 | 2026 | FOR PROGRAM SERVICES |
UNITED WAY OF FREDERICK COUNTY
$77,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
FREDERICK HEALTH HOSPITAL INC
$28,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
FRED COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC
$25,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
BRETHREN DISASTER MINISTRIES
$25,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF FREDERICK COUNTY MARYLAND INC
$20,500FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF FREDERICK COUNTY INC DBA HERITAGE FREDERICK
$11,600FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
SALVATION ARMY- FREDERICK CO
$11,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
NEELSVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$10,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
BIG BLUE FOUNDATION
$7,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
THURMONT SENIOR CENTER INC
$7,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT FUND OF MOUNT OLIVET CEMETERY INC
$7,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
FRIENDS OF MEALS ON WHEELS OF FREDERICK COUNTY INC
$7,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
WILLIAM F MORAN JR MUSEUM AND FOUNDATION
$6,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
FRED CO 4H THERAPEUTIC RIDING PROGRAM
$5,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
COMMUNITY LIVING INC
$5,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
ADVOCATES FOR THE AGING
$5,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF FREDERICK
$5,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
CELEBRATE FREDERICK
$5,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
GLADE VALLEY CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
$5,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
DAYBREAK ADULT DAY SERVICES INC
$5,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
SETON CENTER INC
$5,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
WEINBURG CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$4,500FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
GLADE VALLEY COMMUNITY SERVICES
$4,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
SOPHIE & MADIGAN'S PLAYGROUND
$4,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHOIR INC
$3,500FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
OPUS COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL
$3,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
THE FREDERICK CHORALE INC
$3,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
ST VINCENT DEPAUL SOCIETY DISTRICT COUNCIL INC
$3,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION
$3,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
FRIENDS OF CARROLL CREEK URBAN PARK INC
$3,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
THE FREDERICK CHILDREN'S CHORUS INC
$2,500FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
GALE HOUSE RECOVERY INC
$2,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
STEADFAST STANDING FIRM AGAINST YOUTH HOMELESSNESS
$2,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
MARYLAND ENSEMBLE THEATRE INC
$2,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
HURWITZ BREAST CANCER FUND
$2,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF FREDERICK COUNTY MD
$2,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
THE MONOCACY FOUNDATION
$2,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
CALVARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$2,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
FREDERICK ARTS COUNCIL
$2,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
CASA OF FREDERICK COUNTY
$2,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
THURMONT SENIOR CENTER INC
$1,500FOR PROGRAM SERVICES
THE MD SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF FOUNDATION
$1,000FOR PROGRAM SERVICES