Ausherman Family Foundation: Capacity Building Grant

The Ausherman Family Foundation's Capacity Building Grant aims to enhance the effectiveness of nonprofits in Frederick County, Maryland. This grant supports various activities including strategic planning, leadership development, and technology improvements, ultimately strengthening organizations' capabilities. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities located in Frederick County with a commitment to expanding their operations. The foundation prioritizes funding for initiatives benefiting children, families, health services, arts, and community development.

Overview
Capacity Building Grants assist nonprofits in achieving new levels of effectiveness. Our purpose is to strengthen the leadership and management of Frederick County’s nonprofit organizations by helping them build systems and find resources such as consultants to facilitate the organization’s progress in achieving the goals.
Grants may be awarded for:

• Planning activities:

e.g., organizational assessments, strategic planning, fund raising assessment & development, program evaluations, communications/ marketing, or business planning.
Board and leadership development:
May include activities such as leadership training, defining the role of the board, strengthening governance, assistance with an executive transition, succession and search process.May include activities such as leadership training, defining the role of the board, strengthening governance, assistance with executive transition, succession, and search process.
Strategic Relationships:
providing technical assistance / consultant support to help two or more organizations work through collaboration and strategic restructuring; positioning for merger or affiliation; or business planning for social enterprise.
Internal operations:

• improvements to financial management, internal controls and chart of accounts, human resource or volunteer management; or facility planning.
• Technology Improvements:
• IT capacity through upgrades to hardware and software, networking, websites, and staff training to optimize the use of technology.
• What We Fund
• Children, Youth, & Families

Organizations or programs that provide enrichment and increased opportunity to children and youth as well as organizations or programs that strengthen families. Programs and activities included are scouting, mentorships, youth leadership, youth community service clubs and job training, parent engagement, college access, academic enrichment, and arts activities.
Health & Human Services
Human Services programs and services that provide basic welfare to help individuals, families, and communities to prevent, alleviate, or better cope with crisis, change, and stress. This includes the following sub-categories: crime and delinquency prevention, legal services, employment/jobs, food, housing/shelter, and women’s issues.
Health services include treatment and rehabilitative programs relating to physical and mental health. Programs and services include but are not limited to the following sub-categories: mental health and crisis intervention, diseases, disorders and related medical disciplines, nutrition, and dental care.
Arts & Culture
Organizations or activities that promote enjoyment or understanding of the visual, performing, folk, or media arts; communication organizations (film, video, publishing, journalism, radio, television); and organizations or activities that promote the appreciation or understanding of historical events. Included are organizations which support artists, performers, entertainers, or writers, art and performing art schools, centers, studios, and historical societies and museums.
Public/Society Benefit
Organizations or programs that contribute to the public good and benefit society including, but not limited to, the following sub-categories: Beautifying public spaces, civic organizations and institutions, community/neighborhood development and improvement, and philanthropy, volunteerism, and grantmaking foundations.

Eligibility

Applicants are eligible to receive one capacity building grant per 12-month period.Eligibility:Tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code.Physically located in Frederick County, Maryland.Healthy operating budget and ability/willingness to expand based on the outcome of the grant.Strong board and executive leadership.Clearly defined mission.Commitment of time and resources to build capacity.

Ineligibility

What We Don't FundAnimals or Animal OrganizationsAthletics, Leisure, RecreationEnvironmentAreas considered government responsibilitySchools, including private, charter, or Frederick County Public SchoolsPublic Safety, Disaster Preparedness, and ReliefIndividuals, including Political SupportChristian MissionsInternational ProjectsGrant requests of less than $2,500Generally speaking, this funding does not cover staff time. Ausherman Family Foundation also does not provide capacity building funding for hiring an accountant to perform an audit or review operational expenses.