Title
Vote to approve funding level & process for Nonprofit Grant Allocation Process for FY 2017-18
Abstract
Action Requested:
Review and provide direction on the nonprofit grant allocation process and funding level for FY 2017-18
Introduction & Background:
Chatham County allocates funds to local nonprofit agencies via a competitive process that relies on the input of volunteers. Over the past few years, we have identified several issues of concern that we think require more study over the next year. We provide further detail here and ask for your direction.
Discussion & Analysis:
VOLUNTEER PANELS:
It is increasingly challenging to find enough volunteers, especially those representing diverse populations. Also, it is increasingly hard to find volunteers without conflicts of interest. Many serve on several nonprofit boards of directors or worked on the staff for nonprofits submitting applications. If someone has to bow out with little notice, we have ended up without enough members or without a panel chairperson. Less frequently, a few members have been combative in panel meetings or took on other inappropriate roles during the optional visits with nonprofit agencies. It seems that this is a good time to consider other ways of getting community input in the nonprofit grants so that we use everyone's time wisely and we hear from a diverse set of voices.
NONPROFIT GRANTEES:
With a few exceptions, the same set of agencies receives funding each year. The funding level may vary a bit, but generally the same agencies receive funding from the county. It is a great deal of work for all involved to apply and oversee the grants, so it may be time to look at what other counties or towns are during. Durham County, for example, is taking this year to study this process based on similar concerns. Some options we might look at could include annual contracts with a few nonprofits, with contracts overseen by specific county departments, while other nonprofits woul...
Click here for full text