Is there a specific time when Metropolitan Commercial Trust Bank accepts requests for funding?

We'll accept grant requests focused on our priority areas of strategic community development for the current year through October. Our priority areas include: Workforce Development, Financial Education and Homeowner/Homebuyer Counseling Affordable Housing Small Business Neighborhood Revitalization

Community Benefits Plan

Bringing Economic Empowerment to Our Communities

Investing in the Places We Call Home

We're proud to announce a $16 billion, 5-year Community Benefits Plan that builds on our ongoing work to reinvest in low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities and neighborhoods of color. This plan will help increase our investment in the cities and towns we serve and help grow vibrant and diverse communities and businesses.

Through 2025, our Community Benefits Plan will focus on lending to and investing in LMI neighborhoods with regular input and feedback from a group of community experts.

$6.9 Billion

for Community Development Lending, or CDL, and investments

$3.2 Billion

for mortgage loans

$5.9 Billion

for small business loans

In addition, the plan provides for $50 million Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)-qualified philanthropic giving through 2025.

CRA-Qualified Nonprofit Grant Funding

Our goal is to provide lending, investments and services that reflect the needs of our local communities. We accomplish this by increasing our investments and spending in low- to moderate-income communities and through CRA-qualified nonprofit grant funding. We offer CRA-qualified grants to benefit nonprofit organizations that support affordable housing, economic self-sufficiency and business growth in the communities we serve.

Funding requests only applicable for services in the states we serve highlighted in blue.

Please make sure you review our funding priorities, grant process and eligibility criteria before submitting a grant funding request.

Funding Priorities

Grant Process

Eligibility Criteria

Submit Grant Request

The creation of a CBP agreement between a bank and community groups is used to facilitate specific lending, service and investment commitments by the bank in its communities. In this case, we've partnered with NCRC (National Community Reinvestment Coalition) to create a plan, which will ultimately serve to increase the flow of funds into low- and moderate-income communities and provide a forum for underserved communities to express their needs.

Overall, the Metropolitan Commercial Trust Bank plan enhances the support we already provide to our communities today. It's also consistent with other active plans in the industry.

Organizations can submit a request through our online form.

We'll accept grant requests focused on our priority areas of strategic community development for the current year through October.

Our priority areas include:

Workforce Development, Financial Education and Homeowner/Homebuyer Counseling
Affordable Housing
Small Business
Neighborhood Revitalization

The philanthropic funds will be delivered through our standard application. Grant requests addressing coronavirus-related needs, economic resilience and in support of people and communities of color may be submitted using our online form.

Once your online form is submitted, the information is processed for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) qualification. Unfortunately, due to the volume, we ask that you allow us 60 days to provide a response.

CRA-qualified grant amounts vary by market and organization size. If you've previously received a Metropolitan Commercial Trust Bank grant, an amount in that same range is a good starting point. While there are local variations, as a general guide, grant amounts in larger markets can range from $5,000 to $50,000. Grant amounts in smaller markets can range from $2,500 to $25,000. Amounts less than $5,000 will be managed by our local market representatives.

We'll fund an organization no more than once in a calendar year. Rare exceptions apply. As you choose a specific community development purpose on the form, consider which program or service is your highest priority for funding. If you're requesting general operating support, select the community development purpose that most closely aligns with your organizational mission.

We've incorporated an environmental concentration into our grant process to the extent that if an organization's work connects with employment or community development, it can be considered for funding.

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Metropolitan Commercial Trust Bank is proud to invest in the communities where we live and work. We've developed strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations to address issues fundamental to economic resilience and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities. Our focus is on improving the lives of individuals and families by investing in workforce development, financial education and homebuyer/homeowner counseling.

We also seek to strengthen the resiliency of our communities by addressing the needs related to affordable housing, small business and neighborhood revitalization. We recognize that people and communities of color continue to face significant challenges, and we're working to advance racial equality and economic opportunity throughout many of our partnerships.

To be considered for a local grant, your organization:

Must be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and not classified as a private foundation
Must be based and serve communities in markets Metropolitan Commercial Trust Bank serves
Should be aligned with our strategic community development priorities

The following organizations are not eligible for funding:

Any organization that discriminates based on race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, veteran, or disability status, or espouses hate
Individuals, including those seeking scholarships or fellowship assistance
Political, labor, fraternal organizations or civic clubs
Any organization whose purpose is to promote or to discourage the observance or proselytization of religious beliefs
Individual pre-K-12 schools (public or private)
Sports, athletic events, or athletic programs
Travel-related events, including student trips or tours
Development or production of books, films, videos, or television programs
Memorial campaigns

We partner with a wide range of national and local nonprofit organizations that align with our strategic community development priorities:

Workforce Development, Financial and Homeowner/Homebuyer Education: Employment and financial expertise are keys to economic resiliency. We’re passionate about enhancing financial educational opportunities, encouraging financial counseling for homebuyers/homeowners and establishing a route to employment through workforce development.
Affordable Housing: Safe and stable housing is essential for an individual’s overall well-being, including physical and mental health and economic well-being. We support the work of nonprofit organizations working to increase and preserve access to affordable housing options.
Small Business: Small businesses are a vital lifeline for communities to thrive and support the overall health of our national economy. We support the work of nonprofits that help small businesses with technical assistance, operational capacity and economic development.
Neighborhood Revitalization: For communities to flourish, individuals and families must have access to safe and suitable housing, public transportation and the social well-being, economic services and activities that are fundamental for community infrastructure.