The Ausherman Family Foundation has awarded its inaugural IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity Aligned) Multi-Year Grants to two Frederick-based nonprofits, Women Solve and the Empowering Community Leaders Network (ECLN), supporting new initiatives that address racial equity, education, and youth leadership development in Frederick County.

Women Solve Aims to Launch Program to Tackle Microaggressions in Schools

Women Solve, a Frederick County nonprofit founded to harness women’s collective leadership for social change, has been awarded $24,000 over two years to implement “Empowering Excellence: Navigating Microaggressions with Confidence.” The program is designed to support Black students and their parents by providing practical tools to recognize and address microaggressions in educational and social settings.

Microaggressions often go unaddressed, leaving Black and other racially minority students to manage emotional harm in silence. This program will create a space where students and parents can grow, learn together, and advocate for themselves with confidence.

In Year One, Women Solve will invest in curriculum development, drawing on the expertise of professionals such as pediatrician Dr. Jackie Douge and etiquette consultant Yolanda Davis. Focus groups with students and parents will inform the creation of lesson plans, workbooks, and interactive resources. In Year Two, the nonprofit plans to launch quarterly workshops designed to reach 50 families, equipping them with communication, self-advocacy, and emotional intelligence tools.

This initiative complements Women Solve’s robust community programming, including their acclaimed Seed to Roots performance and art showcase and the Get Fit Frederick wellness initiative. The IDEA grant will enable Women Solve to expand their work in equity and advocacy, reinforcing their mission to create inclusive spaces where every voice is heard and valued.

Empowering Community Leaders Network Expands with Strategic Support

Empowering Community Leaders Network (ECLN), the nonprofit behind the SWAG (Sisters Wholesome Aspiring toward Greatness) mentoring program for middle school girls, has been awarded a $25,000 IDEA Multi-Year grant to hire part-time clerical support. This crucial staffing boost will allow ECLN to expand programming and execute its long-term strategic plan.

Founded in 2014 by Phyllis and Lorenzo York, ECLN provides leadership development through culturally enriching experiences for young girls from underserved backgrounds. The grant will also leverage a previous $5,000 IDEA grant dedicated to upgrading ECLN’s website, a digital transformation effort intended to boost visibility, enhance credibility, and attract new volunteers and donors.

With over 100 subject matter experts and 35 volunteers dedicated to their SWAG program, ECLN needs the improved administrative capacity to tell their story more effectively and reach those who need them. This grant will help bring them one step closer to building a more sustainable support model.

The new part-time clerical role will help manage website content, field volunteer and donor inquiries, and streamline communications. ECLN anticipates a significant uptick in community engagement through this upgrade, targeting a 40–80% increase in website visits, a rise in volunteer interest, and broader first-time donor outreach.

Serving students from schools including Walkersville, Monocacy, and Governor Thomas Johnson Middle, SWAG remains one of the few programs in Frederick County offering afterschool leadership mentoring for middle school girls.

Ausherman IDEA Grants: Investing in Lasting Change

Both Women Solve and ECLN exemplify the mission of the IDEA grant program: fostering inclusion, advancing equity, and uplifting underrepresented communities through innovation and strategic growth. These multi-year grants empower nonprofits not only to pilot impactful programs, but to build infrastructure that supports long-term success.

The IDEA grants are about transformation, not just in individuals, but in systems and communities. The Ausherman Family Foundation is proud to support two organizations that are making measurable, lasting change in Frederick County.