Ausherman Challenge Grant

inte8821 • June 8, 2015

Up to the Challenge?

The Ausherman Family Foundation recently awarded IHA a Challenge Grant. The grant matches funds raised dollar for dollar – which will create opportunities for greater permanent stability for families, individuals and seniors. Our goal is to meet this challenge by the end of our fiscal year, June 30th.

Recent donor support has assisted 18 families in becoming homeowners. 579 individuals were provided with financial education and housing counseling benefiting more than 1,600 of their family members. Contributions help to keep over 700 clients in rental housing through our apartment communities. The time has never been better to donate.

IHA with our partner, Conifer Realty, anticipate a 2015 ground breaking for the construction of a 71 unit apartment complex in Frederick. Additionally, IHA has been awarded competitive funding to construct 50 new family apartments in Chambersburg with partner PIRHL. Come grow with us!

In honor of IHA’s 25th anniversary year, which begins on July 11th, would you please consider supporting us with a gift in a denomination that includes a 25? You might choose $25, $250, $2500 or even $25 a month for the next 25 months. Your generosity makes a significant difference!

For more information about how to make a recurring donation, please contact our Director of Community Relations, Mary Ellen Mitchell at 301-662-4225 x1211 or memitchell@interfaithhousing.org.
Donations can be mailed to 731 North Market St., Frederick, MD 21701 or online at www.interfaithhousing.org. Thank you!

September 2, 2026
A quarter of grant wins, community partnerships, and small moments that remind us why this work matters. Here's what's been happening at Interfaith Housing Alliance since the summer. GRANTS & FUNDING: Four New Grants Fuel IHA's Work This Quarter Interfaith Housing Alliance is proud to announce four funding awards totaling $220,000 during the last quarter from our community partners. In June 2026, IHA was awarded a $30,000 grant by Ausherman Family Foundation. This capacity-building grant will provide funding support for the organization during its transition to new leadership. It will also support IHA's work with key community consultants with the goal of recentering IHA's programs and services in Frederick, MD. In July 2026, IHA was awarded a $125,000 grant from Morgan Stanley. This operational grant supports IHA in its ongoing quest to create and provide affordable housing opportunities for low- to moderate-income (LMI) community members. It also supports IHA's continued community programming, which provides access to financial education and affordable homeownership opportunities. In August 2026, IHA received two funding awards in support of IHA's Financial Dignity and Empowerment Services. IHA was awarded a $30,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's (DHCD) Maryland Housing Counseling Fund (MHCF). IHA was also awarded a $35,000 grant by Rural Maryland Council (RMC) through their Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) program. These grants will support the full spectrum of community programming IHA offers, including group educational workshops on financial health, individualized financial coaching and housing counseling, and pathways to affordable homeownership. We are deeply grateful to these partners for their continued investment in this community.
By Vickie Mills June 2, 2026
Exciting, the final renovations of the last two units are underway at Weinberg House, a long-standing affordable senior living community in Fredrick, Maryland. Originally built in 1994, the property provided safe, stable housing for older adults for decades. Renovations began on May 1, 2023. At that time, they had a total of 23 units to renovate. The renovations included freshly painted walls, new carpet in the bedrooms, new flooring in the other rooms, new cabinets in the bathroom, as well as new kitchen cupboards, fixtures and new appliances. The final two units will be ready for lease up June 15, 2026. The renovation of Weinberg House represents a meaningful investment in both people and place. By modernizing the property while protecting its mission, this project will help ensure that affordable, welcoming housing remains available for seniors for years to come. It is an encouraging example of how thoughtful redevelopment can strengthen communities and honor the residents who call them home.
By Rachel Gardner June 2, 2026
In March 2026, IHA was awarded a $50,000 grant through the Frederick County Government’s Helping Empower Area Resources Together (HEART). These one-time operational funds were awarded to mitigate the effects of the longest federal government shutdown in history. This grant has allowed IHA to continue providing essential programs and services to Frederick County residents despite challenges at the federal level. IHA was also awarded a $5,000 grant from the City of Frederick through the Community Promotion Grant program. This grant supports aging in place and youth development needs among City residents through IHA’s Supportive Services. The program serves residents of IHA’s senior and multi-family affordable rental communities at 222 Broadway Street (Weinberg House) and 520 N. Market Street, respectively. In April 2026, IHA was also awarded a $25,000 Community Partnership Grant from Frederick County Government. This grant supports IHA’s full range of Financial Dignity and Empowerment Services, including our homeownership and financial education programming. IHA’s Purchase-Repair Program provides an avenue to homeownership for those who otherwise would not qualify for a traditional home loan. In Credit Café, participants work specifically on improving their credit. Financial Freedom Bootcamp helps participants improve their skills in budgeting, saving, debt reduction, and financial goal setting. The Frederick Affordable Housing Incubator (FAHI) brings multiple sectors together to increase the affordable housing inventory in Frederick County.
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