Founded by Mr. Lee with his 2003 Wertheimer Fellow for Excellence in Volunteerism award for preserving Frederick County African American history and scholarships for graduating high school seniors who reside in the City of Frederick.

William O. Lee was an outstanding pillar of the Frederick County community. His impact on the community effected children to the elderly. He worked as a teacher, school principal and city alderman. He was a mentor, volunteer, churchgoer, nonprofit advocate, champion of local African American history, and involved citizen. In 2003 he was recognized as one of the Community Foundation’s first Wertheimer Fellows for Excellence in Volunteerism, acknowledging his years of service to the community. In his honor and memory, the Community Foundation holds The William O. Lee, Jr. and Family Endowment Fund. The fund provides grants to nonprofit organizations that are researching, restoring, archiving, cataloging and educating the community about Frederick County’s African American history and provides scholarships for high school seniors who reside in the City of Frederick.