Yelm hears grant pitches from local nonprofits; council to decide allocations during November budget process

Dozens of local nonprofit leaders addressed the Yelm City Council on Oct. 7 seeking city grant support for programs that serve youth, food-insecure residents and older adults.

The presentations were part of the council's outside-agency grant review; staff told the panel that final funding decisions will be made during the city's biannual budget process in November.

Why it matters: Councilors and staff said the requests reflect local needs that have grown since the recent school levy failures and that the council must weigh limited city funds across many applicants.

At the meeting Yelm Powerlifting asked the council for $10,000 to cover competition entry fees, equipment and uniforms. Thomas Hokow, a representative of the group, said the program is volunteer-led and has expanded from a handful of athletes to dozens in three years. "We believe that every student, regardless of financial background, should have a chance to participate," Hokow told the council.

Bounding for Families, the nonprofit that runs the Yelm Community Garden, requested $6,000…