- Overview
- Eligibility Criteria
- Further Guidelines
- How to Apply
- Grant Cycles
- Review Process
- Contact Information
One way the Ausherman Family Foundation empowers the passion for change is to recognize and support individuals and organizations that are catalyst for change. The Foundation refers to these individuals as "Social Entrepreneurs".
The goal of the Social Entrepreneur Grant program is to support actively Frederick County individuals and nonprofit organizations. 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. However, they may not have been able to bring their vision to fruition because of insufficient financial support.
The Social Entrepreneur Grant program award is capped at $25,000 per year.
1. The organization must have or be in the process of securing a tax exempt determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service.
2. The organization must be located in Frederick County, Maryland.
3. The organization's mission should fall into one of the Foundations grants categories or primary areas of focus:
a. Arts & Cultureb. Children, Youth, and Families
d. Education
e. Health
f. Human Services
h. Public / Society Benefit
- Arts & Culture
Organizations or activities that promote enjoyment or understanding of the visual, performing, folk, or media arts; communications organizations (film, video, publishing, journalism, radio, television); and organizations or activities that promote the appreciation or understanding of historical events. Includes groups of or services to artists, performers, entertainers, or writers; art and performing art schools, centers, and studios; and historical societies and museums. - Children, Youth & Families
The category includes 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 programs, mentorship programs, youth leadership programs, youth community service clubs and job training, parent engagement, education, college access, academic enrichment, and arts activities. - Education
Institutions of higher education that provide academic education are considered. Also includes libraries and organizations providing continuing/supplemental education outside of the formal school system such as English-as-a-second-language programs and literacy and reading programs for children and adults. This category excludes schools offering K through 12th grade education. - Health
All treatment, rehabilitative, and research programs relating to physical and mental health. Including but not limited to the following sub-categories: Hospitals and primary care facilities, mental health and crisis intervention, diseases, disorders and related medical disciplines, nutrition, and dental care. - 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. Human services include the following sub-categories: crime & delinquency prevention, legal services, employment/jobs, food housing/shelter, and women's issues. - 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, voluntarism, and grant making foundations.
1. The yearly budgeted financial assistance for this program per individual(s)/organizations is capped at $25,000.
A Calendar Year 2012 Social Entrepreneur Grant has been awarded.
The Ausherman Family Foundation will begin accepting Social Entrepreneur Grant Applications in January 2013.
2. Organizations that wish to submit a request for the Social Entrepreneur Program are asked first to submit a letter of inquiry to the Ausherman Family Foundation.
3. To begin the online process and submit a letter of inquiry, click on this link: Grant Process
1. The Ausherman Family Foundation's Executive Director will review the letter of inquiry.
2. You will receive an email response from the executive director either requesting additional information or approving your letter of inquiry (LOI).
3. A site visit will be arranged.
4. Once the LOI has been approved and a site visit has been completed you will be directed to access the grant application site and complete a formal grant application.
5. Your application will be reviewed and voted upon by the Trustees.
6. The Executive Director will inform you of the Trustees decision.
7. Grant recipients sign a Grant Covenant / Agreement and submit grant report(s) as detailed in the Covenant.
If you have questions after reviewing the information above or trouble accessing the online grant process, contact Joyce A. Heptner, Executive Director, by calling 301.620.4443 or emailing jheptner@aushermanfamilyfoundation.org.