Title
Receive information on the Human Services Non-Profit funding process and discuss desired funding level for FY2026
Abstract
Introduction & Background: The Human Services non-profit 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”. Over the past 3 fiscal years, the County has utilized a funding model to increase the amount of funds available to this process; however, that model has been only marginally successful and has ultimately not been utilized for the basis of funding for 2 of the 3 years it has been in place.
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. Historically, this appropriation has occurred during the December Board of Commissioners meeting in order to ensure that the availability of non-profit funds is announced at least one month prior to the opening of the application (as required in the County’s Non-Profit Agency Funding Policy).
At the November 16th, 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 Dec 19th, 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 23rd, 2024, budget work session, the Board of Commissioners increase the non-profit funding appropriation by $150,000 for a total of $500,000.
It appears that 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.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: This discussion does not directly relate to the Comprehensive Plan; however, the Human Services Non-Profit funds address 2 objectives of the Plan:
-Objective 9: Provide equitable access to high-quality education, housing, and community options for all
-Objective 10: Foster a healthy community
Budgetary Impact: There is no budgetary impact to the current (FY2025) budget. Staff will be requesting guidance on funding for the next (FY2026) budget.
Recommendation/Motion: Receive information on the Human Services Non-Profit funding process and discuss desired funding level for FY2026. Provide staff with information on desired funding for FY2026, which will be used as the basis for a future agenda item requesting approval of funding appropriation and goal/outcome approval for the Human Services Non-Profit funding process.