Nonprofits seek town funding

Two area nonprofit agencies requested support from the Carrboro Board of Aldermen on Tuesday night for future efforts.

The request from Pa’lante and Youth Creating Change, which together form Club Neon, would create an unofficial partnership with the town, using some of the services already offered.

Pa’lante Director Laura Wenzel told the aldermen that the two organizations are not asking for monetary support; instead, they would like help to maintain their computer systems with the aid of town employees or to integrate their programs with the recreation and parks department and the town’s wireless initiative.

Wenzel said local groups need the support of their local municipalities because, otherwise, it raises concerns among other contributors who might question the merit of the group’s request.

Pa’lante seeks to help integrate Latino youth into the community.

The group also publishes a quarterly Spanish-language magazine and holds art and literacy classes at the club.

Youth Creating Change, directed by Maxecine Mitchell, focuses on teaching leadership and entrepreneurial skills to black teenagers by allowing them to run their own store and participate in education and career planning.

Last year, the group received $1,000 in funding from the town.

Both groups presented a request for $13,000 to the human services advisory commission Monday night, which will soon determine how much funding, if any, the nonprofits will receive.

Pa’lante received no funding from Carrboro last year, Wenzel said. The group’s biggest expense right now is rent, but they also would like to have money to hire a staff, she said.

Last year, Pa’lante requested $15,000 from the town to help fund its magazine.

“We don’t give $15,000 to anyone,” said James Harris, community and economic development director.

Harris said the largest amount of money given to an organization by the town last year — $8,000 — went to the Inter-Faith Council.

Harris said funding is allocated according to an evaluation of the agencies that focuses on their plans in past years and what they have been able to accomplish.

He said the town’s recommendation for the two groups is to go back to the human services board because it is more fair to other groups who only present before the board.

Carrboro Assistant Town Manager Bing Roenigk said the town has allocated $112,000 for nonprofits for the 2005-06 fiscal year — up from last year’s $110,360.

Pa’lante received funding last year from the town of Chapel Hill, which has been criticized in budget talks for contributing too much to human service organizations.

Chapel Hill Town Manager Cal Horton said the town’s health and human services advisory board has recommended raising the amount of funding it allocates to nonprofits.

In the 2004-05 fiscal year, the town spent $206,000 on nonprofits. The town funds 20 to 25 agencies.

“The council believes that contributions to agencies that provide services is a value,” Horton said.

 

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.