Laredo updates third-party nonprofit funding rules, adds volunteer-hour match and $25,000 cap

City of Laredo community development staff detailed a new third‑party funding policy and the application and scoring process for fiscal year 2025–2026, including a $25,000 cap per nonprofit, a three‑year maximum before a one‑year pause, and a volunteer‑hours match that nonprofits may use to offset city service fees.

The revised policy was presented to the Third‑Party Funding Committee by community development staff. The application period opened in February with the initial notice published on 2025-02-16 and a second publication on 2025-02-23; mandatory training was held on 2025-02-27 and applications were due on 2025-03-20. Committee members were shown the electronic submission system and the scoring workflow the committee will use to evaluate applicants.

The city will award general‑fund third‑party contracts on a reimbursement basis with quarterly invoice submissions; invoices and supporting receipts are submitted each quarter and reimbursements are processed after review. To be eligible, an organization must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and meet at least one of three program priorities: support education, promote economic development or promote health and welfare. Applications are scored across multiple sections; applicants must average at least 70 points to qualify for funding consideration.

Key budget and…