ARPA-funded CNC Athens program helps Destin Inc. expand literacy work in North Athens

In a recorded Athens-Clarke County ARPA Highlight episode, Dr. Tawanna Smith Maddox, cofounder of Destin Inc., described how the county’s CNC Athens capacity-building program — funded through local ARPA allocations — helped the grassroots literacy nonprofit strengthen governance, reporting and program evaluation.

The capacity-building workshops prompted Destin Inc. to rewrite strategic documents, develop a volunteer plan, adopt automated payroll and sharpen monthly outcome reporting required by ACCGov, Maddox said. “Our mission is to, ensure that children are able to read,” she said, adding that the program encouraged the group to think holistically about family needs and measurement of results.

Nut graf: The work illustrates how local ARPA investments in nonprofit capacity can affect day-to-day program delivery and oversight: Destin told county funders more detailed outcomes and instituted clearer financial practices, which the nonprofit says helped it expand summer programming and better track reading outcomes for participating children.

Destin’s stated program goals and outcomes: Maddox said the nonprofit’s primary target is that at least 90% of students “maintain or...span upon their reading skills” across the school year and summer. She reported…