Commissioners debate limits and criteria for growing nonprofit grant program

Devin told commissioners the nonprofit grant applications for FY2027 totaled $416,000 for requests of $10,000 and above and $41,000 for requests below $10,000, and that the application packet includes scoring and previous-year funding history. "For fiscal year 2027 the nonprofit application total for 10,000 and above programs was 416,000. The total for 10,000 and below was 41,000," Devin said.

Commissioners debated whether to pay all applicants, adopt a percentage cap (several commissioners suggested 68–70%), or select top-ranked agencies until the allocated amount is reached. One commissioner urged caution about creating an entitlement mentality: "This is almost turning into an entitlement program," a commissioner said, while other board members and public commenters warned that small grants to clinics and senior centers provide services that would otherwise fall to county departments and cost more. Staff noted the applications were scored in two separate programs (above/below $10,000) and that final awards will be tied to contracts and the board’s final budget decisions.

Public testimony from nonprofit leaders followed, with some groups stressing the leverage of their county funds to secure additional private and federal grants and the local impact of their services. Commissioners did not take a final vote at the workshop but asked staff to prepare options and lists to finalize allocations during the budget process.