The Ausherman Family Foundation’s (AFF) Trustees announced their Capacity Building Grant Cycle 1 is now open. Eligible nonprofit organizations whose staff and board members are committed to growing the organization’s capacity to reach new levels of effectiveness may apply. To be considered for funding, interested organizations should submit an online Letter of Inquiry by January 15, 2020 before midnight. Only inquiries submitted online will be accepted.

Eligibility is limited to organizations that have been designated as 501(c)(3) nonprofits by the Internal Revenue Service and are located in Frederick County, Maryland. Organizations must have a healthy operating budget, as well as a strong board and executive leadership. A clearly defined mission statement and the commitment of time and resources to build capacity must be in place.

AFF’s Capacity Building Grants will support opportunities to build infrastructure for a strong and sustainable community of nonprofit organizations. Capacity Building Grants will allow nonprofits to secure the professional and timely assistance necessary to enhance organizational capacity and address important issues of organizational development and effectiveness.

Examples of capacity building projects include:

Planning activities: e.g., organizational assessments, strategic planning, fund raising assessment and 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 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.

In 2018, Ausherman Family Foundation awarded over $148,000 in Capacity Building Grants to help organizations increase effectiveness and efficiency. To date, the Foundation has worked with dozens of nonprofits in the community in the areas of: Children, Youth, & Families; Health & Human Services; Arts & Culture; and Public Society Benefit.

Capacity Grant funding is capped at $25,000.

Additional information about eligibility criteria and specific application procedures can be found HERE.