Ausherman Family Foundation

What Ausherman Family Foundation does

The Ausherman Family Foundation is a private family philanthropic organization established in 2001 by Marvin E. Ausherman to serve Frederick County, Maryland. The Foundation operates under a "spend down" philosophy, distributing contributions during the founder's lifetime rather than building a perpetual endowment. Its funding is sourced from the Ausherman family's wealth, principally derived from Ausherman Homes (residential development) and Ausherman Properties (commercial real estate investment and development). The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees and staffed by a lean team of fewer than 10 employees, including an Executive Director, CFO, Director of Grantmaking, Director of Community Projects, and grants support personnel.

The Foundation's core offerings are structured grant programs administered through GrantInterface, a third-party online grant management portal. The portfolio includes: General Grants (minimum $2,500, rolling basis); Capacity Building Grants ($2,500-$25,000, rolling basis); Multi-Year or "Focus" Grants (3- to 5-year commitments, invitation-only); IDEA Grants targeted at Black-led nonprofits, including a new Collaborative Grants tier offering $40,000-$60,000 for partnerships of two to three organizations; and Back-Office Support Grants providing subsidized accounting services via the LSWG Book$mart Program. In 2025, the Foundation awarded $5.2 million across 269 grants to 147 organizations. No proprietary technology systems are disclosed.

Beyond grantmaking, the Foundation operates Community Projects—large-scale real estate and public-space initiatives such as the YMCA Arts Center (gifted to the YMCA of Frederick County in fall 2025 after a $3.4M+ investment) and the in-development Downtown Frederick Youth Center—and Leadership Opportunities, including the annual Frederick Nonprofit Summit, Professional Development Training Series, Executive Director Breakfasts, and the Frederick Funders Group. Distribution is restricted to 501(c)(3) organizations (and select fiscally sponsored entities) serving Frederick County, Maryland, a place-based model that defines both the Foundation's market scope and its structural constraint.

Name

Ausherman Family Foundation

Legal name

Ausherman Family Foundation

Website

https://aushermanfamilyfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Ausherman Family Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation established in 2001 that awards grants and operates community development projects exclusively in Frederick County, Maryland. It funds 501(c)(3) nonprofits through General, Capacity Building, Multi-Year, IDEA, and Back-Office Support grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philanthropic Grantmaking

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)

Keywords

• Private foundation grants
• Philanthropic grantmaking
• Nonprofit capacity building
• Community development grants
• Charitable giving programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Frederick

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Grantmaking: As a private family foundation established in 2001, the Ausherman Family Foundation distributes charitable funds to Frederick County nonprofits through various grant programs. The foundation follows a 'spend down' philosophy, disbursing contributions prior to the founder's death. Revenue comes from the founder Marvin Ausherman's contributions and family wealth derived from Ausherman Homes (residential development) and Ausherman Properties (commercial development/investment).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Ausherman Family Foundation is a private family philanthropic organization that distributes charitable funds to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Frederick County, Maryland. It operates a portfolio of grant programs including General Grants, Capacity Building Grants, Multi-Year Grants, IDEA Grants, and Back-Office Support Grants, alongside direct community development projects and nonprofit leadership programming.

Product overview

The Ausherman Family Foundation is a private family philanthropic organization that offers a portfolio of grant programs and community services focused on Frederick County, Maryland. The core offerings include General Grants (rolling basis funding for operating costs, programs, and projects), Capacity Building Grants ($2,500-$25,000 for nonprofit organizational effectiveness), Multi-Year/Focus Grants (3-5 year commitments for program sustainability), IDEA Grants (supporting Black-led nonprofits with traditional, consulting, and collaborative grants), and Back-Office Support Grants (accounting and bookkeeping assistance via the Book$mart program). Additional services include Community Projects (large-scale development initiatives) and Leadership Opportunities (professional development trainings and networking events). The foundation serves 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored entities serving Frederick County residents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Grants Grants awarded to fund operating costs, program costs, and project costs for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Frederick County, Maryland. Applications accepted on a rolling basis with a minimum request of $2,500. May include a challenge match component.
• Capacity Building Grants Grants assisting nonprofits in achieving new levels of organizational effectiveness by strengthening leadership and management through consultants for planning, board development, strategic relationships, internal operations, and technology improvements. Range from $2,500 to $25,000.
• Multi-Year Grants (Focus Grants) Three- to five-year commitment grants designed to help nonprofit organizations launch or sustain projects or programs with time to make them self-sustainable. Applications by invitation only. Funds distributed every 6 months contingent on progress.
• IDEA Grants (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity Aligned) Ongoing support grants specifically designed to strengthen and sustain Black-led nonprofits in Frederick County. Includes traditional grants up to $5,000, consulting grants up to $5,000, collaborative grants of $40,000-$60,000 for 2-3 organization partnerships, and multi-year grants.
• Back-Office Support Grant Grants designed to build nonprofit capacity by strengthening back-office functions including bookkeeping, bill processing, payroll processing, and general accounting through the LSWG Book$mart Program. Phase-down model: 100% funded in Year 1, 50% in Year 2. For organizations with operating budget of $500,000 or less.
• Community Projects Large-scale development projects promoting beautification and reinvigorating culture and business in Frederick County, including physical structures such as buildings and public artwork. Examples include the YMCA Ausherman Arts Center, Downtown Youth Center, Splash PoinT at Baker Park, South End Park, and the Seventh Street Fountain.
• Leadership Opportunities Leadership events and professional development opportunities for the local nonprofit community, including the annual Frederick Nonprofit Summit, Frederick Funders Group, Philanthropist Roundtable, Executive Director Breakfast, and Professional Development Training Series covering grant writing, board development, financial management, and nonprofit marketing.

Quantifiable outcome

• In 2025, awarded $5.2 million across 269 grants to 147 organizations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• YMCA of Frederick CountyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership formed in 2019 for arts education programming at 115-117 East Church Street. Foundation gifted building to YMCA in fall 2025 after $5M+ investment. Now operates as YMCA Ausherman Arts Center.
• The Delaplaine FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of the annual Frederick Nonprofit Summit, one of the Foundation's flagship leadership development initiatives. Also a member of the Frederick Funders Group and Philanthropist Roundtable.
• The Community Foundation of Frederick CountyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Frederick Nonprofit Summit and participant in Frederick Funders Group. Partner in various community projects including Splash PoinT at Baker Park.
• United Way of Frederick CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Frederick Nonprofit Summit and participant in Frederick Funders Group. Collaborates on ALICE Project data and community needs assessment.
• Helen J. Serini FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Frederick Nonprofit Summit and member of Frederick Funders Group and Philanthropist Roundtable.
• PNC FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Frederick Nonprofit Summit, supporting nonprofit capacity building in Frederick County.
• Association of Fundraising Professionals Western Maryland ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Frederick Nonprofit Summit.
• Frederick County C. Burr Artz Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide Grant Seekers Resource Center with Foundation Center database access and nonprofit management resources for nonprofit staff, board members, and fundraisers.
• LSWG (Book$mart Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContracted partner for Back-Office Support Grant program. LSWG provides Book$mart accounting services including bill processing, payroll, and financial statements for qualifying nonprofits.
• City of FrederickflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner on multiple community projects including Downtown Youth Center (300 Scotty's Bus Lane transfer), South End Park, Seventh Street Fountain, Carroll Creek Refresh, and Splash PoinT at Baker Park.
• Frederick County GovernmentflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Downtown Youth Center project with transfer of property at 300 Scotty's Bus Lane. Also partner in 12-to-24 Collaborative and various community initiatives.
• Frederick Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Frederick Nonprofit Summit and 2026 Professional Development Training Series workshops.
• Downtown Frederick PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Seventh Street Fountain Park Renovation and Carroll Creek Refresh projects.
• Friends of Baker ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Splash PoinT at Baker Park project - an interactive, ADA-accessible splash pad in memory of Simon Turner.
• Frederick Arts CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Public Arts Master Plan and ongoing public art projects including murals, sculptures, and kinetic art throughout Frederick County.
• Catoctin Medical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for ADA-compliant entrance ramp and accessibility improvements for Thurmont community healthcare access.
• Downtown Safety & Services Initiative (DSSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative initiative addressing downtown safety and services. DSSI report identified need for Youth Center, informing Foundation's community project priorities.
• 12-to-24 CollaborativeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollective impact network of 50+ nonprofits and service providers dedicated to improving outcomes for youth ages 12-24. Foundation played lead role in launching this initiative.
• The Word Woman (Consulting)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFree consulting services available to IDEA Collaborative Grant applicants to help shape collaborative structure during application process.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Delaplaine Foundation: Frederick-based family foundation that co-hosts the Frederick Nonprofit Summit and is a Frederick Funders Group member with Ausherman. Directly comparable as a place-based family foundation serving the same geography and nonprofit ecosystem.
• Helen J. Serini Foundation: Frederick-based family foundation that co-hosts the Frederick Nonprofit Summit and participates in the Frederick Funders Group with Ausherman. Comparable as a same-geography family grantmaker.
• United Way of Frederick County: Local funder and Summit co-host that collaborates on the ALICE Project and community needs assessment with Ausherman. Comparable as a place-based grantmaker serving overlapping human services nonprofits in Frederick County.
• The Community Foundation of Frederick County: Frederick County's community foundation and fellow co-host of the Frederick Nonprofit Summit. Directly comparable as a place-based grantmaker serving the same nonprofit pool with overlapping focus areas (arts, human services, education).

Regional players

• The Meyer Foundation: DC-area family foundation focused on greater Washington nonprofits with multi-year, capacity-building, and equity-focused grantmaking (including for Black-led organizations). Comparable operating model as a place-based private family foundation with equity-centered programs similar to IDEA.
• Clark-Winchcole Foundation: Maryland-based family foundation serving the National Capital Region including Frederick County. Comparable as a regional family foundation with similar community-development priorities.
• The William Penn Foundation: Philadelphia-area private family foundation emphasizing place-based grantmaking, multi-year commitments, and direct community projects (parks, public space). Comparable philosophy of integrating grantmaking with place-based civic investment.

Broad incumbents

• The Kresge Foundation: National private foundation with a strong place-based practice including American Cities Program. Comparable approach of integrating grants, community projects, and local partnerships in target geographies.
• The Annie E. Casey Foundation: Baltimore-based national family foundation focused on children, youth, and families, with significant Maryland grantmaking. Comparable operating model (large private family foundation, multi-year place-based commitments, capacity-building grants).
• The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation: Maryland-based family foundation providing large-scale grants for health, housing, and human services with a strong Mid-Atlantic focus. Comparable as a regional private family foundation with multi-year and capital grants.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC-vM0Ic0h8vmWt_MZiGedPA
• Facebookfacebook.com/AushermanFamilyFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/ausherman_official
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aushermanfamilyfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ausherman Family Foundation