Last Thursday the Montgomery County Council Health and Human Services and Government Operations committees held a worksession to develop a new vision and strategy for Community Grants. While the details remain to be worked out, the committees approved a three-year transition plan with the following general principles:
- “Legacy” Community Grants will be reviewed for multi-year service delivery contracts, with a July 1, 2020 contract start date. This work will be coordinated with County departments and will begin in the fall of 2019.
- In the future grant funding will be aligned with County priorities and outcomes.
- A central County grants office will be created to help County departments apply for federal, state and other grants. The grants office will also manage nonprofit grants.
- Beginning in FY21 a set funding level for Community Grants will be established in the County Executive FY21 recommended budget. Grants will be awarded in priority areas with grant cycles on a rolling schedule throughout the year.
The Community Grants program (with separate County Executive and County Council grants) will not exist in its current form going forward. The HHS and GO committees have scheduled a second worksession on October 24 to review progress on the changes.
Nonprofit Montgomery will continue to provide updates and let nonprofits know when there are opportunities for input. Watch for our Community Grants dialogue with County staff in the fall.
Click here to read the full memo.
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