Ausherman Family Foundation
The Ausherman Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Frederick, Maryland. It supports organizations and programs serving Frederick County, with grantmaking that includes children, youth and families; health and human services; arts and culture; and public and societal benefit.
Key facts about Ausherman Family Foundation
In short: Ausherman Family Foundation gave $699K across 98 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), mostly in Maryland. 19% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 20-4937263
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $698,928
- Grants made (2024)
- 98
- Average grant
- $7,132
- Median grant
- $2,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (19 of 98, 2024)
- Total assets
- $23,129,939
- Primary geography
- Maryland (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation accepts applications through its online grant portal, beginning with a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). Full details ↓
- Deadline
- General Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no application deadline.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$23.1M
+10.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$699K
-10.9% YoY
Grant Count
98
+21.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
-26.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ausherman Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $642K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Ausherman Family Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 19 of 98 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 57% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 57% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 267% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to “empower the passion for change in Frederick County, Maryland.” Its stated vision is a thriving Frederick County with vibrant spaces and places, a superior quality of life, and strong, collaborative nonprofit organizations. The foundation says it supports nonprofits through grants for capacity building, operations, programs, projects, and focus initiatives, and through leadership development, cooperation, and partnerships.
Its stated areas of interest are children, youth and families; health and human services; arts and culture; and public and societal benefit. The foundation provides grants to organizations serving Frederick County that are recognized as 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored by 501(c)(3)s.
Recent grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. L’Arche Frederick Maryland says its mission is to create homes where people with and without intellectual disabilities live together in an environment of shared faith and mutual respect. Centro Hispano de Frederick describes itself as a bilingual community organization that informs and educates Frederick County residents to promote full participation in the community. The Frederick Center says it supports and advocates for LGBTQ+ people and their families in the broader Frederick community.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 98 grants totaling $698,928. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $75,000, with a median of $2,500. The foundation’s largest reported grants included $75,000 to L’Arche Frederick Maryland for gap funding and related costs; $55,000 to Spectrum Support for its Youth Empowerment Program; $51,000 to The Frederick Children’s Chorus for capacity building; and $45,480 to Centro Hispano de Frederick for Spanish classes, back-office support, an ESL coordinator, and a heritage festival.
Review Cycle
General Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no application deadline. The foundation’s filing states that submissions are reviewed by a philanthropic committee that meets six times each year. The website says funding requests are considered at one of six yearly board meetings and that the process from LOI to grant approval typically takes four months.
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Ausherman Family Foundation
Accounting Back-Office Support Grant Program
Ausherman Family Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
AFF General Grant
Ausherman Family Foundation
Amount
More than US $2,500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ausherman Family Foundation Capacity Building Grants
Ausherman Family Foundation
Amount
$3K – $25K
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with Ausherman Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated mission and grant guidelines focus on Frederick County, Maryland. Its website says requests that do not serve Frederick County will not be reviewed. The foundation’s 2024 filing states that 90% of available funds must benefit Frederick County, while global funds are available but limited. In 2024, 98% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 98 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $445K (2021) to $784K (2023). In 2024 it made 98 grants totaling $699K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was L'arche Frederick Maryland Inc ($75K). Together the top 10 received $368K.
Grant Size Distribution
465 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 449 grants of 465 (97%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| L'arche Frederick Maryland Inc Frederick, MD | Gap funding, dda deferred pymts, gap funding forgivable loan | $75,000 |
| Spectrum Support Inc Owings Mills, MD | Youth Empowerment Program | $55,000 |
| The Frederick Children's Chorus Inc Woodsboro, MD | Capacity Building | $51,000 |
| Centro Hispano De Frederick Frederick, MD | Aff spanish class, back office support, esl coordinator, heritage festival | $45,480 |
| Women Solve New Market, MD | 5th annual seed to roots, strategic blueprint, frederick's seed to roots | $30,000 |
| African American Resources Frederick, MD | General Operations, Living Treasures Projects | $27,000 |
| Maryland Deaf Community Center Frederick, MD | MDCC Bod Training and Fundraising | $25,000 |
| Spanish Speaking Community Frederick, MD | Bingo Gala, Critical Intervention, General Operations | $21,475 |
| Frederick Arts Council Inc Frederick, MD | Public Art Program | $20,000 |
| Downtown Frederick Partnership Frederick, MD | General Operating Costs | $18,112 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $23,129,939 | $4,737,842 | $2,036,473 | $698,928 | 98 |
| 2023 | $20,899,943 | $1,029,667 | $2,110,668 | $784,456 | 81 |
| 2022 | $20,892,046 | $444,437 | $2,022,869 | $487,317 | 87 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $23,129,939 | $20,899,943 | $20,892,046 |
| Revenue | $4,737,842 | $1,029,667 | $444,437 |
| Expenses | $2,036,473 | $2,110,668 | $2,022,869 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,715,404 | $1,800,077 | $1,653,644 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,712,039 | $849,489 | $282,272 |
| Distributable Amount | $641,779 | $634,590 | $726,018 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Marvin E. Ausherman as trustee, chairman, and founder; Justin E. Ausherman as trustee, vice chair, and secretary; Renee Ausherman as trustee and treasurer; and Leigh Adams as executive director. Other listed trustees are Joseph S. Welty, Dr. Denise Rollins, Tammie Workman, Jeremy Holder, and Ariel Rodriguez.
Ausherman Family Foundation is led by Leigh Adams, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Leigh Adams
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$151K (2020) → $178K (2024)
Marvin E. Ausherman
Trustee, Chairman & Founder
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Denise Rollins
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeremy Holder
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph S. Welty
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Justin E. Ausherman
Trustee, Vice Chair & Secretary
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Renee Ausherman
Trustee & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tammie Workman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ariel Rodriguez
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Joshua Pederson (2020–2023) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $178K, to Leigh Adams (Executive Director).
Contact
Application contact: Lori Perkins Grants Coordinator Aus
Mailing address: 7420 Hayward Road Suite 203, Frederick, MD 21702
Phone: (301) 620-4443
Website: https://aushermanfamilyfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about Ausherman Family Foundation
How much does Ausherman Family Foundation give each year?
Ausherman Family Foundation gave $699K across 98 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $784K across 81 grants.
What is Ausherman Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Ausherman Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,500, and its average grant was $7,132, across 98 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ausherman Family Foundation that year got $7K on average.
Where does Ausherman Family Foundation give grants?
Ausherman Family Foundation gives mostly in Maryland: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Frederick, MD (64 grants), Walkersville, MD (2 grants) and Baltimore, MD (2 grants).
Does Ausherman Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 42% of Ausherman Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (41 of 98) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Ausherman Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Ausherman Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include L'arche Frederick Maryland Inc ($75,000), Spectrum Support Inc ($55,000) and The Frederick Children's Chorus Inc ($51,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ausherman Family Foundation?
Ausherman Family Foundation reported $23.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $642K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Ausherman Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to “empower the passion for change in Frederick County, Maryland.” Its stated vision is a thriving Frederick County with vibrant spaces and places, a superior quality of life, and strong, collaborative nonprofit organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ausherman Family Foundation?
The foundation accepts applications through its online grant portal, beginning with a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ausherman Family Foundation's EIN?
Ausherman Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4937263. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Ausherman Family Foundation by hand.
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