The Ausherman Family Foundation is seeking applications for its 2020 Capacity Building Grants program to assist nonprofits in achieving new levels of effectiveness.

The 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.

Categories

Grants may be awarded for:

• Planning Activities:
  • E.g., organizational assessments, strategic planning, fundraising assessment and development, program evaluations, communications/marketing, or business planning.
• Board & 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.

Funding Information

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

Eligibility Criteria

• 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.

For more information, visit Capacity Building Grants.