• Request must show potential to contribute to long-term organizational effectiveness. 
• Board membership numbers within the range specified by their bylaws.
• Staff members who are willing to commit their time and resources, are open to change and believe the grant will further their mission.

• Grant seekers will receive email confirmation when the Letter of Inquiry (LOI) and supporting documents are received. Ausherman Family Foundation Staff may request additional information.
• The request will be presented to the Grants Committee Trustees.
• The request may then be presented to the full Board of Trustees. The board may deny the request or plan for a site visit if deemed necessary.
• Ausherman Family Foundation Staff will contact the organization to advise if a full application is needed prior to the site visit.
• Once the site visit is complete, the request will be presented to the full Board of Trustees for the funding decision.
• Grant seekers will be contacted and informed of the Trustees’ decision.
• If the request is approved, the grantee will review and sign a Grant Covenant/Agreement which can be accessed online via our online portal.

• Applications for all grant requests to the Ausherman Family Foundation must be made via our online portal. Requests received via email, phone, or snail mail will not be reviewed.
• Note: A letter of support from the Board Chair must be included in the Letter of Inquiry (LOI).

• Generally, this is not approved. However, this is reviewed on a case-by-case basis

• Requests can range from $2,500 to $25,000.

• Site visits are held to better understand what applicants do and provide the opportunity to build relationships. They are usually held at the applicant’s location, but there is flexibility in meeting location. Ausherman Family Foundation Staff are usually accompanied by one or more trustees. Ideally, grant seekers should plan on having staff leadership and one or more board members present.

• It is common that up to three reports will be assigned via the grant portal. The purpose of the reports is to inform the Ausherman Family Foundation of the organization’s forward movement toward completion of the outcomes, the project results, how the capacity building funding made a difference in the organization, and if the grant outcomes were met.

• Funding is limited. Ausherman Family Foundation budgets a percentage of each year’s grants funding towards Capacity Building Grants. Not every request will be funded and not every request may be fully funded.

• Grant seekers must vet at least three potential consultants before choosing one. It is important that they find a consultant that is a good fit and understands their needs. Once the organization chooses a consultant, Ausherman Family Foundation requests that they explain why the consultant was the best choice.

• Ausherman Family Foundation does not have a preferred list, but we have a running list of consultants that grantees have worked with in the past or whom we’ve met, which we will provide upon request. As a courtesy, it is always nice for Ausherman Family Foundation to receive feedback on the consultant at the close of the grant so that we may share information with others. Consultants do not have to be from the Foundation’s list.

• It is our desire that the project receives the resources it needs to be successful. We recognize this may require bringing on additional consultants. When the project budget is submitted, these costs should be outlined. Consultants reports will be required. Please keep in mind that the maximum awards for Capacity Building Grants is $25,000.

Yes, applicants have the ability to request this in the Letter of Inquiry (LOI). Ausherman Family Foundation Trustees have the discretion to request part or all be matching based on the nature of the project. Criteria for matching grants is the same for Capacity Building and General Grants. The goal of the matching component is to encourage others to give, including inspiring board members to support the organization and to leverage new donors and contributions in the community. Grantees have a defined time frame in which to raise matching funds as well as restrictions on eligible donations. In-kind and government funding cannot count toward matching funds.

• Funds must be raised within the grant-award period.
• Matching funds’ parameters are requested by the applicant and reviewed and approved by Ausherman Family Foundation Trustees.
• The Grantee may request disbursement of the matching funds by:
  • Providing a statement signed by an executive on staff and a board officer that the donations are accurate and in line with the terms in the Grant Covenant
  • OR use the previous method of proving matching donations by providing a list of donors, the dates of the donations, and the amount of the donation given toward the matching grant, plus any materials that support the donations, such as check copies, charges, and online donations. The list of donations and the supporting materials must be submitted in the same order.
• Foundation funds are distributed after the matching funds are raised and documentation is provided to the Ausherman Family Foundation.

• Generally 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.

• To preview the Letter of Inquiry (LOI) and a sample Grant Application, click here.

• Refer to our Selection Process page.

• Refer to our Recognition Guidelines page.