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Nonprofits present budgets and funding requests as council reviews 2027 recommendations
Summary
Library, Park Avenue Community Center, SRA and Senior Citizens Association presented budget and grant requests to borough council; library sought a 5% increase, PAC Center requested $25,000, SRA requested an additional $5,000, and SSCA requested $27,500.
Representatives of several local nonprofits presented their 2027 funding requests and budget overviews to Swarthmore Borough Council on July 6.
Alex Salie of the Swarthmore Public Library requested a 5% operating increase, seeking $290,728 (up from $276,884) to cover staff cost-of-living adjustments, higher taxes on payroll, and pension and benefits increases. Salie said the library went fine‑free in February and reported rising usage, including about 85,000 visitors in 2025 and higher month‑to‑month circulation in 2026. Council members asked for more detailed operating and balance‑sheet information and a five‑year capital plan; Salie said the library would provide additional documents on request.
Rosemary Fox of the Park Avenue Community (PAC) Center thanked the borough for prior support and requested renewal of $25,000 in annual operating support to sustain free programs and expand offerings such as prenatal/postnatal wellness and Parkinson’s dance classes. Fox said the PAC Center served over 40,000 visits in the past year and runs programs that serve thousands of unique participants.
Amy Strachan of SRA (sports and recreational association) said facility‑rental and custodial fees charged by the Wallingford‑Swarthmore School District have spiked, forcing SRA to request a $5,000 increase to a proposed $220,000 2027 budget and to consider higher participant fees or additional fundraising. Strachan said SRA seeks possible office and dry storage space to improve operations.
Jo Ellis, president of the Swarthmore Senior Citizens Association, requested $27,500 to continue programming, rental space, and limited administrative support, describing the group’s lunch‑and‑learn and wellness offerings and noting the organization’s volunteer and membership activities.
Council signaled that most of the requests will be forwarded to the General Government committee and other relevant committees for recommendation before final budget adoption; several council members said they wanted follow‑up materials (detailed operating budgets, balance sheets, and capital plans) before final decisions.
