Slingshot Memphis proposes data-driven overhaul of Shelby County's Milton Community Enhancement Grants

Slingshot Memphis presented a plan to Shelby County's Milton Community Enhancement Grant subcommittee to redesign how county discretionary grants are awarded and evaluated, saying clearer goals and stronger measurement would increase the program's impact.

The presentation, delivered by Jared Barnett, president and CEO of Slingshot Memphis, John Donovan, senior vice president, and Lara Bullock, activation manager, recommended four front-end changes — define program objectives, analyze the existing grant portfolio, refine the application, and document the process — plus ongoing measurement to track impact year to year.

"We were created here in Memphis. We're a local homegrown organization to help our community understand what's effective at fighting poverty," Barnett said, describing Slingshot's work evaluating local nonprofits and publishing impact results.

Why it matters: Commissioners said they want more transparency and clearer evidence that grant dollars produce measurable results. Slingshot told the panel it could help the county identify which sectors and geographies receive funding, set a baseline of who currently receives support, and design reporting that…