Chapel Hill nonprofits apply for limited town funds

Members of Chapel Hill nonprofit organizations burdened by the recession are hopeful this month as they apply to the Human Services Advisory Board for town funding.

Glenn Gerding, the board’s chairman, said almost all nonprofits are faced with less income but have experienced increased demand for their services.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if they came to us this year and said they needed more money than last year,” he said.

The board has a budget set by the Town Council. Last year, the board allocated $357,900 to 46 different organizations — less than the $469,397 agencies asked for.

The board will not know how much it has to offer this year until the town completes its budget process this summer.

“We only have a limited amount of money to go a long way,” said Karen Rose, the board liaison.

Employees of one agency, EmPOWERment Inc., which provides small business support, affordable housing and a neighborhood coalition to advocate community needs, said they will not ask for more funds than last year.

“We recognized that there was probably going to be a deficit in the budget, so we kept our heads low,” said Delores Bailey, the executive director of EmPOWERment.

The senior recreation program run by the Orange County Department on Aging at the Robert and Pearl Seymour Center received the most funding last year.

Even though it was given $36,800, the funding was still $9,900 less than the department had requested.

The program applied to the board for the first time last year. As part of a government agency, the senior center used to ask for funding directly from the town manager’s office.

“The town tried to consolidate all requests for services in the community last year,” said Jerry Passmore, director of the Department on Aging. “Even though we’re a government institution providing a mandated town service, we’re thrown in with all the other applications.”

The funds the program received from the board last year were not enough to cover the recreation services coordinator’s position.

The department is asking for the same amount of money it requested last year. Passmore said that without enough funds, the department will resort to class fees and cuts in programming, such as yoga classes for senior citizens, to make up the cost.

The board’s application for funding, which is due on Feb. 15, includes the program’s general overview, goals and results, who it assists, the operating structure and the budget.

When allotting funds, Gerding said he looks to see if an agency is fiscally responsible, well-managed and engaged in the community.

The board also refers to the Human Services Needs Report, an outline of disparities in Chapel Hill. The top three groups that have consistently needed support are the homeless, the mentally ill and youth.

Ever since El Centro Latino closed due to insufficient funds, the Latino population has also become a priority group, Gerding said.

Although many agencies do not get the amount they request, town funds are a symbol of the board’s approval, said William Powers, an advisory board member. Nonprofits also use the funding as leverage to attract donations and grants.

“Even if it’s only $1,000, that’s an affirmation on the part of the town of Chapel Hill that they’re doing a good job,” Powers said.



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