Hillsborough County commissioners weigh tighter rules on recurring nonprofit funding

At a Hillsborough County budget workshop, county staff reviewed the county’s nonprofit funding policy and commissioners discussed limiting recurring, automatic awards and adding stronger performance and disclosure requirements.

Kevin Rickey, management and budget, told the board the policy the board approved Feb. 7, 2024, effective Oct. 2024, established funding guidelines intended "to ensure that the county is fiscally responsible in the allocation of county general funds." He said the guidelines require nonprofits to supply their most recently filed IRS Form 990, identify all governmental funding sources, and submit written funding proposals at least one week before a board vote on any new or expanded funding.

The discussion matters because the county’s fiscal year 2025 budget shows about $15.4 million in nonprofit awards across two county general funds and 30 organizations. Rickey said 24 of those 30 first appeared in the budget before FY2000 and that awards added in recent years account for much of the increase.

Commissioners pressed on whether recurring awards should remain automatic. "No one has a right to previous year money," said Commissioner Wilson, arguing the county should…