Billed as a “budget workshop,” the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will give 31 local nonprofits an opportunity to make their pitch for government funding.
Representatives from each nonprofit will have five minutes to make their case at the Feb. 12 meeting. Some are asking for the same amount of funding they received in last year’s budget; most are asking for increases.
Last year, the 31 nonprofits received a total of about $1.26 million from the county. This year their total requests add up to about $8.64 million — an increase of approximately $7.37 million.
Commissioners won’t vote on any of the funding proposals during the Feb. 12 session, according to Kathy Hughes, clerk to the board. Instead, she says the workshop is meant to be an educational opportunity in preparation for the next budget, which will be crafted over the next several months and take effect July 1.
See a list of the five largest nonprofit funding requests below. See a list of all 31 nonprofit funding requests here.
Asheville Art Museum
Funding received last year: $100,000
Funding requesting this year: $2.9 million
Reason: A renovation and expansion of the downtown facility.
Mountain Housing Opportunities
Funding received last year (fiscal 2013): $0
Funding requesting this year (fiscal 2014): $2 million
Reason: Eagle Street Project Loan
Mount Zion Community Development
Funding received last year (fiscal 2013): $0
Funding requesting this year (fiscal 2014): $2 million
Reason: Eagle Street Project Loan
Western Carolina Medical Society Foundation
Funding received last year (fiscal 2013): $450,000
Funding requesting this year (fiscal 2014): $500,000
Reason: Project Access, a program to provide healthcare to low-income and uninsured residents.
New Hopes; New Beginnings
Funding received last year (fiscal 2013): $0
Funding requesting this year (fiscal 2014): $200,000
Reason: To build a transitional home for victims of domestic violence.
The board will meet at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 12, in the commissioners’ chambers, located at 200 College St., suite 326.
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