- Overview
- Eligibility Criteria
- Further Guidelines
- How to Apply
- Grant Cycles
- Review Process
- Contact Information
One way which the Ausherman Family Foundation empowers the passion for change is to recognize and support individuals who are catalysts for change known as “Social Entrepreneurs.”
The goal of the program is to actively seek one individual each year in the Frederick County area and two to three individuals in other selected countries. These Social Entrepreneurs have ideas and the passion to carry out a transformative endeavor that could dramatically improve at least one aspect of community life, but thus far has been unable to find sufficient financial support to bring the endeavor to fruition.
1. The yearly budgeted financial assistance for this program is capped at $25,000.
Note: We have reached our cap rate for the current grant cycle. New applicants for the Social Entrepreneur grant program will be considered after January 1, 2011.
To submit a request for the Social Entrepreneur grant program, please send two sets, one original and one copy, of the following information to the Ausherman Family Foundation:
(download the Writable Form or the Electronic Form)
2. Current operating budget
3. List of board of directors
4. Business plan
5. List of other significant donors
6. Copy of 501(c)(3) determination letter
Please address all materials to:
Norine Haas, Executive Director
Ausherman Family Foundation
7420 Hayward Road, Suite 203
Frederick, MD 21702
Applications for the next cycle of the Social Entrepreneur grant program will be considered after January 1, 2011.
- After a preliminary review, if the candidate’s idea or plan is deemed viable and valuable, the candidate will be interviewed and evaluated to determine if he or she has the potential to create an organization or entity and bring the plan to fruition.
- If the person is deemed ready for such responsibility, he or she will be asked to submit a proposal within four (4) weeks, including a program outline, budget and business plan for review by the Foundation.
- The Foundation will evaluate the proposal and make a recommendation to the Trustees regarding the decision about funding and/or any other support for the plan outlined in the document. With the approval of the Trustees, multi-year funding will be possible, wherein the amount of continuing support shall be flexible in each subsequent year as the program reaches the goal of independence.
- The progress of the social entrepreneur will be followed at three (3) month intervals, with major progress reports due after six (6) months and at the one year mark. After six (6) months, a judgment will be made about funding in the subsequent year.
If you have questions after reviewing the information above, please contact Norine Haas, Executive Director, by calling 301.620.4443 or e-mailing nhaas@aushermanfamilyfoundation.org.