For nonprofits to get money from Annapolis, two organizations working together is better than one.
That was the message to about a dozen Annapolis-based nonprofits attending a forum Thursday sponsored by the city that emphasized teamwork and better communication with elected officials.
“A winner shares their strengths and weaknesses, and we need more winners among the nonprofit groups,” said Kirby McKinney, a community service specialist for the city and organizer of the event.
The aim of the forum was to help reduce redundancies by having nonprofits that offer the same service work together, which would save the city money and better serve the community, officials said.
Nonprofit funding has been a touchy subject since the county slashed its grants to the organizations by nearly 50 percent ? a $2 million cut.
County Executive John Leopold has said nonprofits need to find money elsewhere, as the county looks to rein in its finances and prepare for the looming state budget deficit.
That same attitude is reflected in Annapolis? government, officials said.
McKinney said officials want to make sure grants are being used properly.
“I think [Leopold] did the right thing ? it was a wake-up call,” McKinney said.
Mayor Ellen Moyer said in her opening address, “Revenue in the public and private sectors will be reduced. … So we have to work smarter.”
The forum featured a teamwork-building exercise and lectures from the county?s health department about the programs it offers. The participants then broke into discussion groups.
McKinney also said constant communication with elected officials is key in winning grants.
Betty Powell, a program coordinator with Mount Moriah AME Church, found the forum to beinformative, especially since she was looking for grants for the church?s nonprofit initiatives.
“A lot of programs are doing the same thing, and yet nobody knows about it,” said Powell, referring to a recent outreach effort offered at numerous churches.
“We just have to be more creative with the money they give us.”
