IDEA Grants

The Ausherman Family Foundation, located in Frederick, Maryland, is a private philanthropic organization focused on strengthening the nonprofit sector in Frederick County. Among its initiatives is the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Aligned) Grants program. This grant was created in direct response to findings from the Frederick Funders Data Project, which identified historical underfunding of demographic-specific organizations. The IDEA Committee within the foundation was established to ensure ongoing, strategic support to Black-led nonprofits in the area. The primary objective of the IDEA Grants is to support the growth, sustainability, and community impact of Black-led organizations. The program also seeks to foster collaboration among these organizations and promote equity-focused capacity building. Eligible organizations can receive not only direct funding but also capacity-building assistance, coaching, mentorship, and opportunities for networking with peers in the nonprofit sector. This holistic support model is designed to build lasting economic and social power within communities of color. Eligible applicants must be Black-led nonprofits based in Frederick County, Maryland. The organization must be designated as a 501(c)(3) or have a fiscal sponsor with that status. Applicants must be actively providing services within the past year and must have at least three board members. Projects funded through the program must align with one or more of the Ausherman Family Foundation's key focus areas, which include Youth, Children & Families; Public & Society Benefit; Health & Human Services; and Arts & Culture. Applicants can request up to $5,000 in funding through the IDEA Grants. Requests that exceed this amount may be redirected to the foundation's Single-Year Grant Committee for further review. Additional consideration is given to applicants who engage with the foundation’s Capacity Building Trainings and Networking Events, demonstrating a commitment to organizational development and peer collaboration. The application window is open from June 15 to July 15 each year, and applications must be submitted through the foundation’s online portal. Submissions received via email, phone, or postal mail are not accepted or reviewed. Although specific award dates are not provided, the consistent annual window suggests a recurring grant cycle. There are no pre-application deadlines, LOIs, or Q&A periods specified in the program materials. For questions, applicants can contact Laurynn Burks, Administrative Grants Assistant, via email at info@ausherman.org, or Dr. Denise Rollins, IDEA Committee Chair, at drdeniserollins@gmail.com. The foundation’s office is located at 7420 Hayward Road, Suite 203, Frederick, MD 21702, and the phone number is 301-620-4443.

Applicants who engage with AFF’s capacity-building trainings and networking events are prioritized in reviews.