County holds public hearing on adding nonprofits to eligibility list; commissioners ask for more data

HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Washington County commissioners opened a public hearing Aug. 26 to consider applications from a dozen nonprofit groups seeking placement on the county—s list of organizations eligible to request community organization funding under local law.

County Attorney Zachary Keefer summarized the legal framework at the start of the hearing, saying the authority comes from the Washington County Code of Public Local Laws and explaining the logistics for applicants: "The code of public local laws requires the county commissioners to hold a public hearing on the application," and applications "shall be made on or before the August preceding the fiscal year in which the organization plans to request funding," Keefer said.

The hearing drew a mix of applicants and supporters who described services that range from legal aid and food distribution to youth programming and town beautification. Speakers included Michael Armell for Congregation B'nai Abraham, who described the congregation—s long-running Potters Bowl fundraiser supporting the Potters Bowl Community Free Clinic; Ron Humble for the Boonesborough Town Alliance, who outlined events and volunteer partnerships the group runs; Denise Cintron, executive director of Sybus Mission, who detailed summer food and hygiene distributions and a youth urban farm program; Andrew Nabaya, founder of Shield for All Seasons, who said his group focuses on trauma-informed youth mental health; Sean Bauer of Good News Hagerstown, who described youth sneaker and food programs and upkeep of downtown planters; and Cassandra (Cassie) Clements, staff attorney for Maryland Legal Aid's Midwestern office, who said Maryland Legal Aid opened 767 cases in Washington County between Aug. 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025 and asked for more local funding to expand outreach.

Not all testimony during the hearing was germane to the specific applications. Two attendees, who signed up to speak, were repeatedly admonished by the presiding officer for departing from the hearing topic and for disruptive remarks; the presiding officer curtailed their time and ordered them to leave after warnings.

Keefer noted procedural limits: placement on the county—s Section 1108 list confirms an organization—s eligibility to apply for funding but "does not guarantee an award of funding to the organizations," and that applicants must submit a written request plus confirmation of 501(c)(3) status from the IRS and proof of good standing with the State of Maryland. Several applicants emphasized volunteer staffing, direct client services and partnerships with schools, clinics and other nonprofits.

Commissioners asked staff for more context before acting. Commissioner Randy Leatherman and others said they wanted to see whether new applicants duplicate services already provided by organizations on the current eligibility list, to review budgets and results metrics, and to better understand how COF (community organization funding) applications are evaluated. The board requested a complete list of organizations already on the Section 1108/COF eligibility list and the criteria and scoring matrix used by the Community Organization Funding committee.

No additions to the list or funding awards were made at the hearing. Commissioners took the matter under advisement and directed staff to return with the comprehensive list of current eligible organizations, the COF review matrix used by the review committee, and other materials to help commissioners decide whether to add any applicants for the next funding cycle.

What happens next

Keefer said organizations placed on the County's eligibility list that wish to request funding will receive application packets this fall. The grants review and recommendation process begins in the fall; final funding decisions are made through the county budgeting process and funds, if awarded, are allocated in the next fiscal year (effective July 1). The deadline to submit applications for placement on the list was stated as the August preceding the fiscal year.

Commissioners said they wanted additional information about applicants' budgets, program outcomes and whether local services are duplicated before making placement decisions. Staff agreed to return with the requested materials and a proposed timeline for board consideration.