Commissioners approve $1 million in FY26 outside-agency grants after staff review of 243 applications

Nicole Erfurt presented staff recommendations for the FY26 countywide outside-agency funding program, which the court established with a $1,000,000 set-aside in the budget. Erfurt told commissioners the office received 243 applications requesting more than $10.5 million; staff used a scoring matrix that reviewed organizational capacity, program design, community impact, budget and performance measures to recommend 22 awardees totaling the full $1,000,000 allotment.

Erfurt said the program offered two award levels ($25,000 and $50,000) and that staff focused on proposals providing direct services to Bexar County residents and countywide operations. "For the staff review of all these applications we did a scoring matrix... we received majority of the applicants for 50,000 as shown on the breakdown," she said. Commissioners asked whether awardees served countywide versus precinct-only populations; Erfurt said staff prioritized countywide service.

Commissioner Clay Flores praised staff work through a heavy review process and moved approval of the recommendations; Commissioner Calvert seconded and the court approved the awards on a voice vote. Staff will notify award recipients and execute grant agreements after attorney review. Commissioners acknowledged that many applicants would not receive funding and directed staff to provide feedback to applicants that request scoring details.