TITLE: Title
Human Services Application Funding Process
PURPOSE: The purpose of the agenda item is to gather feedback/direction from the Board on possible changes to Human Services application funding process.
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DEPARTMENT: Economic and Community Development
CONTACT INFORMATION: Annette Stone, AICP Economic and Community Development Director (919) 918-7319 astone@townofcarrboro.org
INFORMATION: In the Fall of 2017, Chapel Hill Town Council directed their staff to create a refined and streamlined human services funding process that was results driven and achieves the Town goals and responsive to the community needs. In June 2018, the Chapel Hill staff completed a study and presented recommendations to the Chapel Hill Town Council. The following link is to the meeting and all the back up material included.
<https://chapelhill.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3531764&GUID=BADFBEC7-1BA1-46FC-BD6F-C344C2773EEA&Options=&Search>=
Chapel Hill staff along with input from advisory board members and non-profits have developed a framework for prioritizing funding decisions. Carrboro staff has already started working with Chapel Hill and Orange County on streamlining the application, which was also recommended by the Carrboro Board of Aldermen. The key implementation strategies that could have an effect on whether we continue to jointly work with Chapel Hill and Orange County on the application process are the following and can be found on the last page of the staff report included in the link to the agenda item above.
1) Revise the funding application to align with the proposed Results Framework and reduce the number of questions to include only those essential to inform decision making.
2) For funding request below $5000, use an abbreviated application and expedited review process without an agency hearing.
3) Pilot a “High Impact Award” Grant, to provide up to 3 larger grants in the $30,000 - $50,000 range focusing on new innovative projects/programs to address specific needs.
They also would like to eventually move to an online application only, but will not be able to launch with this funding cycle.
Last year, Carrboro had a total of 56 applications. Twenty-two of those applications were request for $5000 or less. In all, 31 agencies received less than $5000, and 16 of those received less than $2500.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: None at this time.
RECOMMENDATION:r Staff recommends the Board hear the report and provide staff direction for the upcoming FY 2019 Human Services Funding cycle.