Title
Receive a presentation and vote to approve an appropriation for the FY26 Human Services Nonprofit Allocation funding process and to approve the continuation of the FY25 Board of Commissioner's Goal and Outcomes for the FY26 Human Services Nonprofit Allocation funding process
Abstract
Introduction & Background: The Human Services nonprofit allocation process provides an opportunity for human services agencies serving Chatham County to apply for financial support of programs and services that support the Board of Commissioner’s goal “to mitigate the impacts of poverty among individuals and households in the county through programs and services that promote stabilization and resiliency.” Nonprofit services must support at least one of the three outcomes within this goal:
1. Improved economic stability for low/moderate income adults
2. Improved outcomes for children/youth living in poverty
3. Improved access to comprehensive health care
At the November 16, 2021, Board of Commissioner meeting, a new non-profit funding mechanism was approved that would create annual increases to the Human Services non-profit allocation based on the percentage of annual property value increases. This mechanism was amended at the December 19, 2022, Board of Commissioner meeting to add that the amount of increase should not be less than $10,000.00. The increase recommended by this mechanism for FY2025 was $12,000.00 for a total appropriation of $282,000.00. At the December 18th, 2023, meeting, the Board of Commissioners appropriated $350,000 for the Human Services non-profit funding process. At the May 23, 2024, budget work session, the Board of Commissioners increase the non-profit funding appropriation by $150,000.00 for a total of $500,000.00.
The current non-profit funding mechanism is not having the desired impact - namely, to have a consistent method to regularly increase the Human Services non-profit funding that the County provides as part of the annual budget.
At the November 4, 2024 Board of Commissioner meeting, Budget Director Darrell Butts presented information on the Human Services Non-Profit funding process and discussed with the Board desired funding level for FY2026. The Board provided staff with information on desired funding for FY2026, which was used as the basis for this presentation of several funding mechanism models.
It is also requested that the goal and outcome for human services nonprofit funding approved in FY25 (see above) continue as the approved Board of Commissioner goal and outcomes for the FY26 Human Services Nonprofit Allocation funding process.
Discussion & Analysis: Appropriation of funds for the Human Services Nonprofit Allocation Process is required before the county can announce availability of funds of the FY26 Nonprofit Funding Process. According to the Nonprofit Agency Funding Policy, the availability of nonprofit funds must be announced at least one month prior to the opening of the application, which is scheduled for February 1, 2025.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: Objective 9: Provide equitable access to high-quality education, housing, and community options for all and objective 10: Foster a healthy community.
Budgetary Impact: The allocation is already included in the budget.
Recommendation/Motion: Receive a presentation and vote to approve an appropriation for the FY26 Human Services Nonprofit Allocation funding process, a funding mechanism for the Human Services Nonprofit Allocation funding process and the continuation of the FY25 Board of Commissioner’s Goal and Outcomes for the FY26 Human Services Nonprofit Allocation funding process.