Non-profits with 501 C3 designation can apply.
Frederick, Md (KM) The application process will soon begin for the Frederick County Fiscal Year 2021 Community Partnership Grants. Kelli Goetz, the Director of Operations for the County’s Division of Citizens Services, says the grants are a way to develop partnership agreements with local agencies. “Basically, to fund identified human needs within Frederick County, and to serve citizens through those agencies,” she says.
Goetz says the Community Partnership program had been dormant for a few years, but was revived when County Executive Jan Gardner took office. This is the 6th year for the grants.
Also, Goetz says the grants are to be used for specific priorities identified in a strategic plan. “And that is senior needs, housing needs and then community needs which gives a bit of a catch-all for various different services and strategies,” she says.
Goetz says these funds have been used in the past for a wide variety of services. “Under housing, we’ve got homelessness prevention services. Under senior needs, we’ve had things like age-in-place services, and navigation services to connect seniors with services and activities,” says Goetz.
And the definition of community needs is often wide open, according to Goetz. “Some of the community needs that we’ve done might have been be rehabilitation and/or advocacy services; services that would have improved mental health services and access; and child nutrition programs. So it really does run the gamut a little bit,” she says.
Non-profits which have a 501 C3 designation are eligible to apply. They also must be based in Frederick County, or provide a majority of their services to Frederick County residents.
Applications will be taken beginning on November 8th, with the deadline at midnight, December 8th. Funding awards will be presented in the County’s FY 2021 budget which will be unveiled in April, 2020. After the budget is approved, funding will be available starting on July 1st, 2020, the first day of fiscal year 2021.
“We’re always looking more that this is a partnership between the county and the agency in order to allow someone who can deliver the services needed by citizens in a much more cost effective, and efficient manner than the county could themselves,” says Goetz.
By Kevin McManus