News & Event
FREDERICK, MD – July 11, 2019: Ausherman Family Trust has shown its support for The Community Foundation of Frederick County’s Forever Frederick County Campaign with a $250,000 gift.
The Forever Frederick County Campaign was announced in June 2019 as a major fundraising effort by the Community Foundation. With a goal of $20 million, the endowed funds created will provide grants that will support the greatest needs in Frederick County, now and in the future.
Ausherman Family Trust is well known within Frederick County for its support of programs and projects that enhance and help build a thriving community. “This campaign gift is significant and generous, and we are very grateful to Ausherman Family Trust’s board of trustees for their support,” said Gordon Cooley, Community Foundation trustee, and Forever Frederick County Campaign chairman. “It sets an inspiring tone as we work towards meeting our campaign goal.”
To date, the Community Foundation has commissioned two independent needs assessment studies. These studies and similar ones in the future will assist its board of trustees in determining where grants are most needed. The 2018 Frederick County Human Needs Assessment provided data that identified the areas of substance use disorder, the aging population, and supporting families with children as current greatest needs. As needs change over time, the Community Foundation will be prepared to assist.
For more information about the Forever Frederick County Campaign, visit www.ForeverFrederickCounty.org. Information about the 2018 Frederick County Human Needs Assessment study can be found at www.FrederickCountyGives.org/NeedsReport.
FREDERICK, MD – November 11, 2020: During its recent FY2021 impact grantmaking cycle, The Community Foundation of Frederick County provided $374,192.10 to 40 area nonprofits dedicated to improving lives and enhancing Frederick County. This grant cycle is part of a larger grantmaking effort by the Community Foundation which distributes more than $5 million into the community annually.
The grants are designed to assist local nonprofits with projects that have meaningful and direct impact on the residents of Frederick County. As a leading source of grant funding in Frederick County, the Community Foundation supports the arts, historic preservation, agriculture, health and human services, education, cultural understanding, animal well-being, scholarships, elder care, youth programs, civic causes, and more.
Impact grant funding was provided from the following funds:
The AG-C.I.T.E. Fund:
$1,500.14 to Hope Valley Farm for a goat enclosure and chicken run to educate youth about goat and chicken care.
The Animal Care Field of Interest Fund:
$1,226.41 to Cuddles Cat Rescue for general operating expenses.
The Bar Association of Frederick County Justice for All Fund:
$5,000.00 to Asian American Center of Frederick for citizenship integration services.
$500.00 to Friends of the Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County for storage unit funding.
$5,000.00 to Mental Health Association of Frederick County for CASA of Frederick County program.
$5,000.00 to Spanish Speaking Community of Maryland, Inc. for legal services for families.
The William E. Barnhart Memorial Fund:
$31,614.77 to Team HOPE for breast cancer screening services in Frederick County.
The Elizabeth J. Brady Charitable Fund:
$685.54 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County Maryland for home repairs for seniors.
The Brunswick Area Fund:
$1,303.33 to Brunswick High School Drama Boosters for the Brunswick High School 2021 spring musical and fall play.
$1,000.00 to Brunswick High School Safe & Sane Graduation Committee for Brunswick Safe and Sane Class of 2021 program support.
The Major Dan Campbell Veteran Services Fund:
$684.12 to Platoon 22 for infrastructure needs for a veteran services center.
The Dan Crozier Music Trust Fund:
$850.00 to Chords of Courage for an Intergenerational Cyber Songwriting Studio for Frederick County residents.
$1,204.96 to Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ for an organ recital performed as part of a broader programmatic effort taking place to celebrate the 275th anniversary of the formation of the ERUCC congregation.
$3,000.00 to Frederick Regional Youth Orchestra for virtual performances.
$1,000.00 to The Frederick Children’s Chorus for sheet music purchases.
$1,000.00 to YMCA of Frederick County for YMCA Arts Center instrument purchases.
The Easels in Frederick Fund:
$1,500.00 to The Delaplaine Arts Center for the Elizabeth Barker Delaplaine Awards (Bettie Awards) program.
The Educational Enrichment Field of Interest Fund:
$500.00 to Boys & Girls Club of Frederick County for member support services.
The England Family Fund:
$616.66 to Frederick Rescue Mission for Faith House TransIT bus passes.
The Enhancing Agriculture Field of Interest Fund:
$647.51 to Hope Valley Farm for programs that support youth outdoor agricultural education and involvement with self-sustainable living and the lifestyle of homesteading.
The Environmental Preservation Field of Interest Fund:
$640.62 to Hope Valley Farm for programs that support youth outdoor agricultural education and involvement with self-sustainable living and the lifestyle of homesteading.
The Frederick County AIDS/HIV Education and Services Endowment Fund:
$1,486.54 to The Frederick Center for support for residents living with HIV and home testing support to prevent HIV transmission.
The Frederick Keys Care Fund:
$1,718.66 to Advocates for Homeless Families for children’s after-school and summer activities.
$1,718.66 to Blessings in a Backpack for weekend food for low-income students at Rock Creek School and the FCPS Success Program.
$1,718.66 to Housing Authority of the City of Frederick for special education learning lab support.
$1,000.00 to Madison House Autism Foundation for therapeutic horse riding to support people in Frederick County with autism and other intellectual/developmental disabilities.
$1,718.66 to Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) of Frederick County for the 2021 New Horizons Academy.
$3,000.00 to YMCA of Frederick County for the Kids Unlimited Program.
The Grove Foundation Fund:
$2,584.28 to Platoon 22 for infrastructure needs for a veteran services center.
The Health Fund for Frederick County Youth:
$27,231.35 to Children’s National Hospital Foundation for lodging and family resource assistance for patients fighting childhood cancer.
$7,318.27 to Frederick County Infants and Toddlers Program for rental and mortgage assistance.
$15,000.00 to Frederick County Infants and Toddlers Program for a home playground for a child with medical needs.
$2,500.00 to Variety- the Children’s Charity of the National Capital Region for emergency grants for parents of children with mobility disabilities who lost income due to COVID-19.
The Historic Preservation Field of Interest Fund:
$594.84 to Middletown Valley Historical Society for repairing the front porch of the historic stone house, which serves as the society’s headquarters.
The Sharon I. Hooper Fund for Children:
$2,993.53 to A Mother’s Rest Charitable Respite Foundation for the Terrace Guest House, which provides mental and physical health support for caregivers.
$3,045.00 to The Delaplaine Arts Center for art kits for youth coping with traumatic situations and/or experiencing homelessness.
$8,036.67 to The Frederick Center for youth services programs.
$1,000.00 to Weinberg Center for the Arts for the Families Need Fun program providing event tickets to catastrophically ill children and their families.
The Human Services Field of Interest Fund:
$500.00 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County Maryland for home repairs.
The Job Training and Skills Development Field of Interest Fund:
$1,364.93 to Literacy Council of Frederick County for supporting workplace literacy for hospitality workers.
The William O. Lee, Jr. and Family Endowment Fund:
$586.01 to AARCH for new logo and window graphics.
The Charles V. and Louise Main Endowment Fund:
$8,000.00 to AARCH for website upgrade and enhancing social media presence.
The Malamet Family Fund:
$1,000.00 to Crossed Bridges for Frederick County Goes Purple opioid safety and awareness training resources.
The Nonprofit Support Field of Interest Fund:
$500.00 to February Star Sanctuary for enhancing online presence and digital capabilities.
The Addie B. Null Health Care Fund:
$1,403.13 to Community Living, Inc. for music therapy for people who have Down syndrome, autism, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Parks Field of Interest Fund:
$741.13 to Brunswick Railroaders Little League for baseball field sound system repair and speaker replacement.
The John L. and Lucille H. Ponton Charitable Fund:
$62,768.65 to Children’s National Hospital Foundation for lodging and family resource assistance for patients fighting childhood cancer.
$33,087.00 to Frederick Health Hospice for Camp Jamie.
The Performing Arts Field of Interest Fund:
$649.94 to Chords of Courage for an Intergenerational Cyber Songwriting Studio for Frederick County residents.
The Persons with Disabilities Field of Interest Fund:
$982.91 to YMCA of Frederick County for the Kids Unlimited Program.
The Pritchett Family Foundation Fund:
$1,162.68 to Family Partnership for the Child and Family Learning Project.
$1,162.68 to Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) of Frederick County for the 2021 New Horizons Academy.
$750.00 to YMCA of Frederick County for the Kids Unlimited Program.
The Phil and Erika Rauh Fund:
$2,500.00 to City Youth Matrix for program expansion.
$2,000.00 to Family Partnership for the Children’s Growth and Development Project.
$1,826.06 to Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) of Frederick County for the 2021 New Horizons Academy.
The Recreation Field of Interest Fund:
$567.38 to YMCA of Frederick County for the Y Running Club.
The Remsberg Family Fund:
$2,626.12 to Crossed Bridges for Frederick County Goes Purple opioid safety and awareness training resources.
The Rosebud Frederick Senior Support Fund:
$1,000.00 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County Maryland for home repairs for seniors.
The Secret Santa Fund:
$658.71 to February Star Sanctuary for the Caring for Cats of the Homeless program.
$658.70 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County Maryland for home repairs.
The Alice Jean Stine Fund:
$1,250.00 to Animal Welfare League of Frederick County for a community cat spay/neuter event.
$500.00 to February Star Sanctuary for its Trap-Neuter-Return/Re-Home (TNRR) program.
The Paul L. Stine, Jr. Memorial Fund:
$500.00 to Frederick Friends of our County Animal Shelter for the Project Hope program.
$500.00 to Madison House Autism Foundation for the Job Readiness Program.
The Paul L. Stine, Sr. Memorial Fund:
$1,250.00 to Days End Farm Horse Rescue for horse rescue resources.
The Alvin F. Tesmer and John J. Hayes Veterans Memorial Fund:
$2,000.00 to Mission of Mercy for medical care for veterans.
$500.00 to Platoon 22 for infrastructure needs for a veteran services center.
The Transportation Field of Interest Fund:
$904.33 to Centro Hispano de Frederick for transportation services for the Años Dorados/Golden Years Program.
The Mildred B. Trevvett Music Education Fund:
$873.32 to The Frederick Children’s Chorus for professional development for music educators.
The Visual Arts Field of Interest Fund:
$687.45 to YMCA of Frederick County for YMCA Arts Center scholarships.
The Kevin R. and Sara J. Wade Special Needs Fund:
$2,900.00 to Frederick County Infants and Toddlers Program for rental assistance.
The Libby Hough Van Winkle Children’s Fund
$1,615.39 to YMCA of Frederick County for the Kids Unlimited Program.
The Florence Zahler Memorial Cancer Support Fund:
$3,000.00 to Asian American Center of Frederick for support services for individuals and families impacted by cancer.
$1,034.00 to Frederick County Infants and Toddlers Program for rental assistance for a family impacted by cancer.
Community Foundation unrestricted funds that are allocated by the Community Foundation Grants Committee, according to the donors’ instructions, provided the following grants:
$4,219.21 to AARCH for museum management software renewal.
$2,500.00 to Centro Hispano de Frederick for the Entre Mujeres Self-Sufficiency Program for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) young mothers and children.
$10,000.00 to Centro Hispano de Frederick for Latino/LEP Basic Needs Program support.
$12,500.00 to City Youth Matrix for program expansion.
$1,000.00 to Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry for hunger relief in Frederick County.
$1,000.00 to Frederick Rescue Mission for kitchen supplies.
$1,000.00 to Frederick Rescue Mission for drug testing supplies for the Changed Life Recovery Program.
$8,000.00 to Heartly House for service coordination expansion.
$7,500.00 to Housing Authority of the City of Frederick for expanding access to childcare.
$4,000.00 to Literacy Council of Frederick County for learning materials to meet adult literacy needs of families with children.
$3,200.00 to Main Street Housing, Inc. for improvements and upgrades to affordable housing units in Frederick County.
$5,000.00 to Maryland Food Bank for the Frederick County Senior Pantry Program.
$10,000.00 to Mental Health Association of Frederick County for crisis services.
$8,000.00 to Mission of Mercy for medications for those who are uninsured and under-insured.
$1,473.19 to Phoenix Foundation of Maryland for equipment purchases for safety and security.
$3,650.00 to Thurmont Senior Center for common area seating updates.
FREDERICK, MD – December 17, 2019: During its recent FY2020 impact grantmaking cycle, The Community Foundation of Frederick County provided $288,900.69 to 42 area nonprofits dedicated to improving lives and enhancing Frederick County.
The grants are designed to assist local nonprofits with projects that have meaningful and direct impact on the residents of Frederick County. As a leading source of grant funding in Frederick County, the Community Foundation supports the arts, historic preservation, agriculture, health and human services, education, cultural understanding, animal welfare, scholarships, elder care, youth programs, civic causes, and more.
Impact Grant Funding was provided from the following funds:
$1,383.43 to Wells House @Gale Recovery for holistic therapies for men in recovery program.
$1,585.69 to University of Maryland/Frederick County Extension Office for its Kids Growing with Grains program.
$1270.10 to Days End Horse Rescue for off-the-track abused and neglected thoroughbreds care.
$2,000.00 to Friends of the Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County for storage unit funding.
$9,114.72 to Mental Health Association of Frederick County for CASA of Frederick County program.
$5,000.00 to Spanish Speaking of Community MD, Inc. for Critical Needs Partnership with Frederick County Public Schools.
$14,970.00 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD for home repairs for a cancer patient through its A Brush With Kindness program.
$2,527.20 to Mission of Mercy to provide medical and dental care for uninsured and underinsured residents in Brunswick.
The Dola Burkentine Nonprofit Marketing Fund:
$514.41 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD for marketing support of its A Brush With Kindness program.
$573.66 to Frederick Career and Technology Center FFA Alumni for student safety training.
$2,500.00 to Platoon 22 to assist veterans with the cost of building trades certification.
The Mary Gregg Cornish Memorial Fund:
$1,181.00 to Historical Society of Frederick County, Inc. for its History in the Garden program.
$1,319.00 to The Flowers Over Frederick Fund in support of grants beautifying downtown Frederick.
The William E. Cross Special Needs Fund:
$3,730.24 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD to support home repairs for seniors through its A Brush With Kindness program.
$550.00 to Brunswick High School Drama Boosters for Brunswick High School’s 2020 spring musical.
$950.00 to Frederick County Public Schools for its elementary instrumental music library and $1,500.00 for pianos for Brunswick High School.
$1,000.00 to Frederick Regional Youth Orchestra for jazz music purchases.
$1,000.00 to Frederick Children’s Chorus for spring concert and summer camp sheet music purchases.
$1,400.00 to Historical Society of Frederick County, Inc. for its Heritage Frederick garden and streetscape enhancement project.
$1,000.00 to Boys & Girls Club of Frederick County for its art program.
$825.32 to Girls on the Run of Frederick County for its summer camp program.
$652.37 to Frederick Rescue Mission for TransIT bus passes for Faith House clients.
$685.24 to University of Maryland/Frederick County Extension Office for its Kids Growing with Grains program.
$677.31 to Catoctin Forest Alliance for educational, hands-on learning center adaptations of recreational areas.
The Frederick Jaycees Fund:
$1,330.45 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County for supplies for its Brush with Kindness program.
$1,500.00 to Advocates for Homeless Families for its after-school and summer activities programs for children who are homeless.
$1,500 to Blessings in a Backpack for weekend backpacks of food for Frederick County Public Schools Success Program for Special Needs Students.
$3,829.56 to Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley, Inc. for its Veterans of Youth Empowerment project.
$2,000.00 to Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) for its New Horizons Academy Life Skills program.
$2,200.00 to YMCA of Frederick County for sensory tools its Kids Unlimited Program.
$630.34 to The Claire McCardell Project Fund for its public art project to recognize fashion artist Claire McCardell.
$3,135.52 to Blessings in a Backpack for weekend backpacks of food for Lincoln Elementary School students in need.
$1,000.00 to Frederick Rescue Mission for its summer enrichment camp.
$1,909.00 to The Delaplaine Arts Center for art kits for youth coping with traumatic situations and/or experiencing homelessness.
$5,000.00 to The Salvation Army for its Pathway of Hope program to break generational cycles of crisis and vulnerability.
$2,000.00 to Weinberg Center for the Arts for Families Need Fun program providing event tickets to catastrophically ill children and their families.
$2,500.00 to YMCA of Frederick County for its Kids Unlimited Music program.
$671.10 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County for its Brush with Kindness program.
$1,439.04 to Literacy Council of Frederick County, Inc. for employer-customized curriculum for workplace literacy classes.
$610.53 to African American Resources, Cultural Heritage Society (AARCH) of Frederick for its County Globe Preservation project.
The Charles V. and Louise D. Main Endowment Fund:
$9,219.00 to Calvary United Methodist Church for Calvary Weekday School student tuition support.
$542.23 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD for its A Brush With Kindness program.
$782.81 to The Claire McCardell Project Fund for its public art project to recognize fashion artist Claire McCardell.
$687.01 to City Youth Matrix to support extra-curricular activities in the performing arts.
$1,035.71 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD to support home repair and modifications for persons with disabilities through its A Brush With Kindness program.
$50,000.00 to Children’s Hospital Foundation to provide patient families resources and lodging assistance.
$37,529.50 to Hospice of Frederick County for Camp Jamie.
$4,174.21 to Frederick County Infants and Toddlers Program for financial support to families with children experiencing catastrophic medical issues.
$3,000.00 to Frederick Rescue Mission for summer enrichment camp.
$2,500.00 to Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) for its New Horizons Academy life skills program.
$1,279.57 to Girls on the Run of Frederick County for its summer camp program.
The Pritchett Family Foundation Fund: $1,660.00 to City Youth Matrix to provide scholarships to children with financial need for extra-curricular activities.
$601.07 to Girls on the Run of Frederick County for its summer camp program.
$1,000.00 to Mission of Mercy, Inc. for medical and dental care and support for patients with substance use disorder.
$1,256.41 to Wells House @ Gale Recovery for men in recovery to receive music therapy.
$500.00 to Maryland Food Bank for its senior pantry program.
$1,317.91 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD to support home repairs for seniors through its A Brush With Kindness program.
$950.94 to Centro Hispano de Frederick to support its Golden Years program van rental.
$922.07 to The Frederick Children’s Chorus for music educator professional development.
$726.86 The Claire McCardell Project Fund for its public art project to recognize fashion artist Claire McCardell.
$10,613.45 to Frederick County Infants and Toddlers Program for financial support to families with children experiencing catastrophic medical issues.
$1,192.46 to City Youth Matrix to support extra-curricular activities for children in foster care.
$500.00 to Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership for its New Horizons Academy life skills program.
$3,927.00 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County for its Brush with Kindness program.
Community Foundation unrestricted funds provided the following grants:
$6,541.66 to Blessings in a Backpack for Pre-K student weekend food packages to students of low-income families at Lincoln Elementary School.
$5,000.00 to Heartly House for client transportation, security deposits, rental assistance, and more for clients.
$15,000.00 to The Housing Authority of the City of Frederick for Young Men Rising program.
$3,500.00 to Lions Club of Frederick for eye care assistance to low-income individuals.
$1,700.00 to Literacy Council of Frederick County, Inc. for volunteer work space improvements.
$4,000.00 to Maryland Food Bank for senior pantry program.
$10,000.00 to Mental Health Association of Frederick County for crisis services support.
$10,000.00 to Mission of Mercy for medications for those who are uninsured and under-insured.
$6,590.00 to The Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs to purchase shelter beds.
Margaret, U. Mehrl, and their daughter Sharon Hooper were passionate about the future of their community and education, especially providing educational support for children. The Hooper family created three funds with The Community Foundation of Frederick County to ensure that children in Frederick County receive vital support services forever. While the Hoopers have since passed away, their legacy will live on permanently with countless children benefitting from their generosity.
The Hooper family had deep ties to the Frederick community. Margaret Hooper pursued a career in banking and enjoyed teaching Sunday school at her church. Mehrl and Margaret owned the Leather Shop from 1957 until Mehrl’s retirement and closing of the business in 1972, and they both were involved with the Historical Society of Frederick County, now known as Heritage Frederick.
Sharon Hooper pursued a career that combined her two greatest loves, children and music. She graduated from Hood College with a bachelor’s degree in music and later earned her doctorate in education from University of Maryland. She began her teaching career at North Frederick Elementary School and later became a music teacher at Catoctin High School.
Sharon’s love for children inspired her parents to turn to the Community Foundation in 1993 to establish The Sharon I. Hooper Fund for Children in her memory after she passed away from cancer. The fund’s purpose is to provide support to nonprofit organizations providing services and programs for children under the age of 18, with preference given to support services for families with children experiencing catastrophic illness. Services include but are not limited to assistance with medical treatment costs, behavioral health services, and offering recreational opportunities to families to relieve stress. The fund has distributed grants to organizations such as Weinberg Center for the Arts for its Families Need Fun program that provides event tickets to catastrophically ill children and their families. The Salvation Army has received support for its Pathway of Hope program to break generational cycles of crisis and vulnerability, and The Delaplaine Arts Center received support for art kits for youth coping with traumatic situations and/or experiencing homelessness. The fund has also provided grants to many other organizations, including Frederick Rescue Mission and YMCA of Frederick County.
During her lifetime, Margaret Hooper created two additional funds with the Community Foundation. The U. Mehrl, Margaret T., and Sharon I. Hooper Fund provides support to nonprofits that offer services and programs for Frederick County residents under the age of 18. This includes children who are at risk of abuse and neglect, experiencing stress in their families that may inhibit them from attending school, come from families where lack of financial resources is impeding their participation in recreational, artistic, musical, and character-building activities, and/or who would benefit from mentoring relationships with positive role models. Grants from the fund have been distributed to organizations such as Advocates for Homeless Families in support of after school activities for children experiencing homelessness and Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital in support of its Young Leaders program at Frederick County schools.
Margaret Hooper also created The U. Mehrl and Margaret T. Hooper Scholarship Fund to support postsecondary scholarships for trade and technical school, including secretarial skills, apprenticeship training programs, building and craft trades, beauty and barber schools, mechanics and auto repair, and other areas which are not traditional four-year degree programs. Thanks to Margaret’s vision, many future generations of students can pursue their educational goals in these disciplines.
The Hooper family legacy lives permanently with the Community Foundation. Thanks to their generosity, the Community Foundation will be able to support organizations that provide critical support services to children in our community for generations to come.
Since 1986, thousands of donors have relied on the credibility and expertise of The Community Foundation of Frederick County to help them build community and realize their philanthropic goals. In 2015, Adrian McCardell “Mike” Remsberg, Jr. and Lisa Nelson Remsberg turned to the Community Foundation to help them create a fund that would strengthen and enhance life in Frederick County in positive ways. Part of their conversation with me revolved around the results of the 2011 Frederick County Human Needs Assessment, an independent study that identified where the greatest needs were in our community. The data from that assessment at the time pointed to three areas of focus: homelessness, school readiness for children age birth to five, and access to healthcare. The Human Needs Assessment was later updated in 2018 to reflect new strategic areas of focus.
Based on that part of the conversation, the couple created The Remsberg Family Fund to support grants to nonprofits providing healthcare in Frederick County. Over the past five years, the fund has awarded grants to Mission of Mercy and Frederick Health Hospice. To help improve access to behavioral health services for adolescents and young adults in our community, including treatment programs for substance use disorders, the Remsberg’s fund has also awarded grants to Wells House @ Gale Recovery.
“The Community Foundation has always had their finger on the pulse of what our community needs,” said Mr. Remsberg. “We are even more impressed now that the organization is using data from the Frederick County Human Needs Assessments to further target those needs and help put in motion what needs to happen to address them. The Community Foundation’s knowledge was very helpful to Lisa and me as we were creating our fund.” Over the years, Mike and Lisa have seen firsthand the benefits of targeting grant funding toward the community’s current areas of greatest need, but what about future needs? How were they to know what challenges may be facing Frederick 10, 20 or 50 years from now?
When The Community Foundation of Frederick County introduced its Forever Frederick County campaign in 2019, the Remsbergs listened with interest. Here was an opportunity to contribute to a flexible, unrestricted endowment fund now whose proceeds would be used to help resolve issues adversely impacting Frederick’s quality of life in the future. This unique concept impressed Mike and Lisa as both progressive and forward-thinking.
“I think one thing we all learned from 2020 is that anything can happen at any time,” said Mr. Remsberg. “Thinking about that made us feel even more strongly about supporting the Forever Frederick County campaign. Building an endowment fund now whose proceeds can be deployed quickly to address future needs as they emerge made a lot of sense to us.”
“I’ve been on their scholarship committee for many years,” said Mrs. Remsberg, “so I’ve seen thousands of scholarships awarded—which in many cases have been a life-changing leg-up for these deserving students. I know a lot of people in Frederick identify the Community Foundation with scholarships, but I also think it’s important for everyone to understand that they have also distributed millions of dollars of grants to nonprofits as well that have had a major impact on the quality of life here in Frederick County. Best of all, they are not only making a difference today…they are already planning for the future through Forever Frederick County. Mike and I are proud to be a part of that.”
FREDERICK, MD – September 27, 2017: The Community Foundation of Frederick County will hold its 31st Annual Report to the Community on Thursday, November 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Clarion Inn Frederick Event Center. The event will thank donors and highlight prior fiscal year accomplishments. In addition, the 2017 Wertheimer Fellows for Excellence in Volunteerism will be honored.
Wertheimer honorees are selected for their selfless contributions of time, energy, and talents to the Frederick County community. The awards are made possible by a bequest from the late Janis Miller Wertheimer, a well-known Frederick businesswoman and prolific volunteer whose legacy of giving continues through her planned gift that created, among three funds, The Janis Miller Wertheimer Endowment Fund with the Community Foundation.
The Janis Miller Wertheimer Endowment Fund has provided each Wertheimer Fellow with $25,000 to add to an existing Community Foundation fund or create a new fund. The fund also provides a $1,000 grant to a nonprofit of choice by the Youth in Action honoree. Through these awards, their legacies of giving will continue to touch lives and help those who are served through area nonprofit organizations.
The following individuals have been chosen to receive the 2017 Wertheimer Fellows for Excellence in Volunteerism Award and the Wertheimer Youth in Action Award.
RaeAnn E. Butler, of Frederick, has made volunteering a lifelong second career. Her passions are helping seniors in Frederick County and historic preservation. She helped launch Daybreak Adult Day Services and, as a 20+ year member of the Elder Services Provider Council, was instrumental in creating the annual Elder Expo and conference. Ms. Butler served on the board of Frederick County Commission on Aging from 2006-2014, and recently served on the Seniors First Committee. She collaborated with Frederick Community College’s Gerontology Advisory Committee to establish its gerontology certificate program and has organized fundraising for numerous organizations serving seniors.
Ms. Butler is a board member of Heritage Frederick and has contributed countless hours to strategic planning, fundraising, volunteer recruitment and more. Through her membership with Carrollton Manor DAR, she helped coordinate the Middletown African American Methodist Episcopal Cemetery project, a book about those buried there, and a symposium about African American history and genealogy.
Ms. Butler’s other volunteer service includes serving currently as president of the Hood College Alumni Association; co-chair of Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ’s Building Project Construction Implementation Committee; board member for Western Maryland Alzheimer’s Association; and previously, a board member and first aid instructor with the Frederick County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
With her Wertheimer Award, Ms. Butler has established The Butler Collins Community Impact Fund to provide grants to Frederick County nonprofits, with a focus on seniors and historic preservation and education.
Daniel W. Campbell, of New Market, is dedicated to helping individuals, families, and veterans who need a hand-up. He volunteers with Mission of Mercy’s medical and dental clinic and helps coordinate services for people through the Frederick Department of Social Services with the involvement of the Frederick Faith Community Partnership.
Mr. Campbell, a retired United States Air Force officer, is the mentor coordinator with the Frederick County Veteran’s Treatment Court (VTC). He provides peer support and helps veterans facing a variety of violations obtain counseling and Veteran Administration benefits. He is active with The American Legion and Disabled American Veterans.
Mr. Campbell is also the volunteer director for JustServe Initiative in Frederick County, a non-denominational website that connects people who wish to volunteer with nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and government service entities. In addition, he has created a partnership with Seed of Life Nurseries and organized volunteers to plant and harvest an acre-sized garden to supply food pantries and soup kitchens with produce. He has coordinated warm-clothing drives for Frederick Rescue Mission. He also serves as a board member for the Purple Moon Project, and he has assisted many families in need of food, clothing, transportation, and other basic needs.
With his Wertheimer Award, Mr. Campbell has established The Major Dan Campbell Veteran Services Fund to support veteran mentoring and also Mission of Mercy’s medical and dental programs.
Vanessa Fox, of Frederick, already has a long record of volunteer service in Frederick County. A student at Tuscarora High School, Ms. Fox learned about homelessness and socio-economic conditions in Frederick County and, with her English class, attended the Frederick County Coalition for the Homeless Forum in 2016. As a result, Ms. Fox and several classmates created Welcome Home Kits for families transitioning from homelessness to semi-permanent housing for The Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs. Wanting to do more, Ms. Fox approached her teacher with an idea to organize a group to promote philanthropy for youth. Now, The Local Love Project has become a successful youth volunteer group at Tuscarora High School with 80 students involved. The group wanted to dedicate themselves to helping one nonprofit and, after research and meeting with various organizations, they decided to support Frederick Rescue Mission. Ms. Fox, who currently serves as president of The Local Love Project, has been instrumental in cultivating a close working relationship with Frederick Rescue Mission to support its food distribution center, organizing students to serve breakfast and lunch, and also creating fellowship for the residents.
Ms. Fox has also volunteered at Ballenger Creek Elementary as a tutor, the soup kitchen at Frederick Community Action Agency, and is active with her church, Frederick Christian Fellowship.
With her Wertheimer Youth in Action Award, Ms. Fox has selected Frederick Rescue Mission to receive a grant in support of its activities.
Among the people qualified to speak to the difference The Community Foundation of Frederick County has made to this community are James and Tamara Shoemaker, of Frederick.
James, a local attorney whose services include estate planning and administration, and Tamara, a licensed psychologist, made their first gift to the Community Foundation’s Helen Smith Scholarship Fund for Children and the Arts in 1997. Since then, they have contributed generously. In 2009, James began a six-year term on the Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees, serving as Chairman from 2013-2014. In 2018, they created The James R. and Tamara L. Shoemaker Charitable Fund to provide grants to Frederick County nonprofits that provide critical services for people and to organizations that support animal well-being.
“During my service, I had a unique opportunity to see what a powerful catalyst for change The Community Foundation of Frederick County is,” said James.
Last year, the Shoemakers made a gift to Forever Frederick County, the Community Foundation’s flexible and unrestricted endowment fund that will provide strategic grants based on this community’s most pressing needs as they emerge—now, and in the future. The current needs were determined by the 2018 Human Needs Assessment, and in the future, the results of similar studies will direct grant-making.
“I think Forever Frederick County is an important addition to the funds managed at the Community Foundation,” said James. “We already have funds that are targeted to the areas that have been identified through our Needs Assessments, but we have learned that not every need can be anticipated or planned for. It’s impossible to predict what our community’s greatest needs will be in the future-- yet being prepared to respond quickly to these will be key to managing and remediating them.”
Giving an organization this type of discretion takes trust, says James, but he believes the Community Foundation’s track record of making careful and prudent decisions about where, when, and how to use the proceeds of any unrestricted gifts speaks for itself.
“I’ve been involved with other charitable organizations over the years, both locally and outside of the area,” he says. “I have never seen an organization run as efficiently or as effectively as The Community Foundation of Frederick County. The Trustees go to great lengths to be sure the investments are secure and adequately diversified. There is a superb staff who recruit and manage exceptionally well-trained volunteers who review more than 1,200 scholarship applications every year. The procedure for awarding grants is meticulous and thorough. Every aspect of the organization is exceedingly well run.”
“Whether you want to contribute now or later through your estate,” he concludes, “the Community Foundation can help guide you in creating a meaningful, lasting impact through a legacy that is uniquely yours.”
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