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Council delays vote on Project Hand Up tax-exemption application after questioning finances
Summary
Project Hand Up representatives described operations and said the nonprofit is volunteer-run; councilors probed accounting lines and rental income and expressed concern about precedent, ultimately taking no action on the exemption application at the May 12 meeting.
The West Warwick Town Council moved to take no action on an application from Project Hand Up for a local property tax exemption after an extended line-by-line review of the nonprofit’s finances at its May 12 meeting.
Project Hand Up representatives, including Mindy, vice president, described the organization’s operations and financial statements and provided packets to council members. Mindy said the organization is largely volunteer-run: "We are 100% volunteer. We do not pay any ... we're all... the two of us are there six days a week." Council members questioned a budget line showing $770,000 labeled as "donations" or "food provided from donations," and sought clarification whether that figure represented cash revenue or donated food.
Councilors also examined the applicant’s recent property purchase (reported in the packet as a September 30, 2025 acquisition) and noted approximately $24,000 in rental income on upper floors of the building. Members raised concerns about how statute currently defines exemptions — one councilor pointed out the statute describes exemptions as applying to "all real and tangible personal property at your property," complicating requests for partial exemptions — and warned about opening a precedent that could allow partial exemptions for other nonprofits or mixed-use properties.
Council members repeatedly praised Project Hand Up’s services and volunteers but said they were uncomfortable taking immediate action given the financial questions and the potential policy implications for other nonprofits. The council did not vote to grant an exemption at the meeting and directed no formal action; members indicated they would continue to request backup information and consider the matter at a later date.
