Nonprofits have an opportunity to lobby for grant funding from Anne Arundel, but the county executive is warning money will be limited.
The county?s Grant Review Committee is accepting applications for fiscal 2009 funding until Feb. 14, the first public appeal for grant applications.
“I want to make sure there is an orderly, objective analysis for each grant,” said County Executive John R. Leopold.
The analysis will be difficult, as Leopold said he does not plan to appropriate funding above the $2.4 million given last year.
Leopold had cut grant funding in half, which caused uproar among nonprofits. Even if Leopold had a change of heart, the county will likely see reduced revenues that may call for fiscal belt tightening.
The committee will accept applications that make the best use of funding and include an alternative funding plan.
“One thing we encourage is for these groups to accommodate more fundraising expertise so nonprofits can help themselves,” Leopold said.
Many nonprofits, like the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, have sought money elsewhere. Carol Treiber, the council?s director, said a fundraiser helped counter a $100,000 cut in county funding.
But given the shaky economic climate, corporate donations may be thin this year because “taxes have gone up, and they?re trying to find ways to deal with the electricity [rate] increase,” she said.
Annapolis Area Ministries, which saw a $190,000 cut in funding last year, has been seeking funding for the Lighthouse Homeless Shelter.
The group has secured $4.7 million from private and public donors and plans on raising $2.2 million to build a new $8.5 million, 22,000-square-foot facility for people who are homeless in Parole. The West Street building is expected to be sold for $1.6 million; construction on the new center is scheduled to begin in spring 2009.
The new center would include 45 beds, four family apartments, an employment resource center, classrooms and a day center.
The Annapolis City Council has committed $200,000 in its proposed fiscal 2009 capital budget, but Annapolis Area Ministries has asked for an additional $200,000 from the city.
“We need to coordinate social services groups. This facility, with its program format, can be real key in serving the nonprofit community,” said Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer.
Staff Writer Carolyn Peirce contributed to this report.
