- Overview
- Eligibility Criteria
- Further Guidelines
- How to Apply
- Grant Cycles
- Review Process
- Contact Information
The Ausherman Family Foundation provides the Capacity Building Grant Program to assist non-profit organizations in achieving new levels of effectiveness.
The Foundation’s goal is to strengthen individual Frederick County organizations by focusing on management and leadership issues that may include:
- Strategic planning
- Organizational assessment
- Executive and/or Board training
- Improving financial systems
- Program evaluation
- Communications and marketing review
- Fundraising enhancement
- Technology assessment
Qualified consultants will be available to facilitate the organization’s progress in achieving the goals set forth in the grant proposal.
The primary focus of the Ausherman Family Foundation centers around support for programs for children and young adults, cultural activities and experiences, safe and aesthetically pleasing environments and Christian missions.
Organizations that meet the eligibility criteria for Ausherman Family Foundation grants will:
- Have a clearly defined mission
- Exhibit readiness to expand its budget and operations
- Have a healthy operating budget
- Have committed staff members who are open to change and believe that capacity building will further the agency’s mission
- Resolve to commit the time and resources to capacity building
- Have a Board of Directors who see the need for training/program enhancement
- Have tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code
1. The Ausherman Family Foundation makes grants of up to $25,000 to strengthen the management and leadership of grantees.
2. Even if an organization has received funding from the Foundation in the past, we request that it review our guidelines and complete a new letter of inquiry for each new request.
3. The Ausherman Family Foundation will limit consideration of proposals to grantees located within Frederick County.
4. Funding is limited, and not every request can be funded.
5. There must be evidence that the grant will contribute to long-term organizational effectiveness rather than serving as a short-term band-aid solution.
6. The capacity and willingness of the organization to implement recommendations resulting from management assistance is essential.
7. The proposal submitted should demonstrate an ability to limit the request to the primary focus of the Ausherman Family Foundation:
- Programs for children and young adults
- Cultural activities and experiences
- Safe and aesthetically pleasing environments
- Christian missions
8. It is probably not appropriate to apply for a capacity building grant if:
- Board and staff do not agree that outside management assistance is needed.
- Your need is not within the priority issue areas of executive and board leadership, planning and assessment or financial management.
- Your real need is the addition of a permanent staff position to resolve a management problem or need.
- Your organization is in crisis and needs emergency operating funds.
- You are seeking support for a fundraising campaign.
- You need an audit and have not budgeted for it.
Note: Operational expenses are not fundable under the Capacity Building Program Guidelines.
There are two phases of the Capacity Building grant process. In phase one, applicants submit a letter of inquiry and supporting documents. Approved organizations will receive a site visit and further instructions on completing a full proposal.
Organizations that wish to submit a request for the Capacity Building grant program are asked to send two sets, one original and one copy, of the following information to the Ausherman Family Foundation in order to begin phase one of the application process:
(download the Writable Form or the Electronic Form)
2. A letter of inquiry, not to exceed three pages, including:
- A brief assessment of where your organization is in its development and the top management challenges it faces. Consider issues relating to leadership, evaluation and planning, financial management, resource development and facilities.
- The organizational issue you would address with a Capacity Building grant and how this issue affects the organization’s ability to achieve its mission. State how this issue was identified and how the Board was involved. Focus your request on an issue and a realistic set of outcomes.
- A description of the proposed project. Discuss how the proposed management assistance project would make your organization stronger and more sustainable.
- The letter should be signed by the executive director and the Board chair.
3. Year-to-date financial statements, including a comparison to the year-to-date budget
4. Most recent audited financial statements (If there is a gap between the most recent audited financials and current year-to-date financial, include internal financial statements for that period as well.)
5. Federal Tax Form 990
6. Current operating budget
7. Organizational chart and strategic plan, if available
8. List of current board members
9. Minutes from last three board meetings
Please address all materials to:
Norine Haas, Executive Director
Ausherman Family Foundation
7420 Hayward Road, Suite 203
Frederick, MD 21702
Grants will range from $5,000 to $25,000, and will be available in two grant-making cycles per year:
- January
- July
Each grant will cover a nine (9) month span of time from award to completion. Typically, applicants will receive one capacity building grant per year. The grant will cover costs of consultants providing assistance. Funding for regular operational expense (i.e., agency audit) is not included in the scope of the grant program.
The letter of inquiry and accompanying materials must be submitted by January 30 or July 31 each year to be considered for phase two of Capacity Building application process.
- Your submission will be reviewed within one month of the receipt of your request. If the project fits within our funding priorities, Foundation staff will schedule a site visit or meeting with your executive director and key board and staff to discuss the proposed project. After the meeting, the Foundation officer will advise you on whether to submit a full proposal to include the selection of a consultant and a project work plan and budget. This request does not guarantee eventual funding of the project.
- If the Foundation approves the grant, the Foundation staff will notify the executive director, usually within two months after the original letter of inquiry was received.
- If you are awarded a grant, you will be asked to complete a grantee report and self-evaluation form at the end of the grant period. A copy of the consultant’s report to the agency should be attached to the agency’s self-evaluation and grantee report.
- Grants are made to organizations and not to consultants. Any report to the Ausherman Family Foundation should be made by you.
If you have questions after reviewing the information above, please contact Foundation staff by calling 301.620.4468 or e-mailing info@aushermanfamilyfoundation.org.