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Vote on a request to approve the Nonprofit Allocation Process FY 2017
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Vote on a request to approve the FY 2017 Nonprofit Allocation Process and funding
1) Background:
Chatham County allocates funds to local nonprofit agencies via a competitive process that relies on the involvement and input of volunteers. The Chatham County Nonprofit Grant Policy is available on the county website and is included in the attachments.
Annually, commissioners decide on the amount of funding to reserve for allocations to nonprofit agencies in the coming fiscal year.
Since FY 2011, the county has periodically set aside some funds for nonprofit capacity building. This money is used to help local agencies develop skills and resources they need to build their sustainability.
2) Review of funding priorities:
For FY 2014 through FY 2016, at least 55% of the available funding has been earmarked for programs that address housing, hunger, and health. The remainder is available for programs that address other human service needs. No change is recommended to these priorities.
3) Funding allocation:
In FY 2014, commissioners allocated a total of $233,000 for the nonprofit allocation process. Of this amount, $10,000 was reserved for commissioners to award at their discretion. During the FY 2015 budget process, commissioners voted unanimously to let the $10,000 reserved for their discretionary awards revert back to the general fund. During the FY 2016 budget process, commissioners decided to let the $10,000 remain in the total funds available for the nonprofit allocations and be available for volunteer panels to recommend awards.
This year staff is recommending that commissioners appropriate $233,000 for the FY 2017 nonprofit allocation process, with $1,500 of that amount reserved for capacity building and $10,000 reserved for a collaborative grant pilot program in partnership with Chatham County United Way and Triangle Community Foundation. The collaborative grant pilot program addresses the Board of Commissioners interest in the effective use of partnerships to address affordable housing issues, as discussed at the affordable housing retreats.
The attachment outlines the details of the pilot program.
4) Funding for Arts and Culture:
Staff is requesting guidance on funding for Arts and Culture agencies. Originally, $5,000 was set aside to fund these agencies through Economic Development. An additional $30,000 was allocated when the budget was approved.