Nonprofits seek funds despite commission budget change

Representatives of two nonprofit agencies that received funding from the Cole County Commission in the past, but not this year, spoke at Tuesday's commission meeting.

In the $78 million budget for 2017, which the commission approved last month, only two nonprofits that received county funding in 2016 got it this year - trimming roughly $50,000 from planned county spending.

That savings is offset by new expenditures in the budget for 2017 that rose from $75 million - including cost-of-living raises for employees and new employees in the sheriff's department and ambulance service.

For many years, the commission approved funds through contracts for nonprofit agencies that provide county health and welfare programs. State law, dating back to 1909, allows for the contracts.

Any agency may ask to make a presentation to the three-member commission, which then reviews the proposed contracts during budget time. However, county officials said no agencies requested to make a presentation for 2017.

Notices went out with the 2016 donations, letting these groups know it was possible funding may not come in 2017. No such notices were sent out this year because the commission decided not to put that money in the budget.

Commissioners approved an agreement with ABLE Learning Center for $3,500 in 2015 and 2016. Both years, the money was in the county budget.

ABLE Executive Director Felicia Poettgen and board member Carol Davidson said they came Tuesday to thank the commission for their many years of support. While they were disappointed they weren't getting county funds this year, they were determined to find ways to make up for that loss, they said.

ABLE was established in 1985 with the goal of promoting literacy in Jefferson City and the surrounding communities after state and federal sources revealed significant numbers of functionally illiterate individuals in the area, as well as increasing numbers of high school dropouts. To address this, ABLE began recruiting and training volunteers to tutor and offering classes to help adults over age 16 improve their reading abilities.

Poettgen said ABLE has seen a 90 percent increase in getting students to grade-level reading skills.

The majority of funding for ABLE is derived from the yearly used book sale in March partnering with the Missouri River Regional Library. ABLE charges no fees for any of its services or supplies for students.

Commissioners thanked the ABLE representatives for their understanding and said they would be willing to help promote fundraising efforts for the center as needed.

Last year, the commission agreed to release $5,000 for Art Inside the Park. That money was budgeted, but the commission had to sign off on it.

Carla Steck, founder of Atelier CMS, the nonprofit organization that organizes Art Inside the Park, gave the commission an update on her projects Tuesday. This includes Art Inside the Park, known for its large art pieces using recycled materials along the Edgewood Drive Greenway Trail.

Steck said her organization works with students, who earn class credit for their participation. Atelier also visits schools to educate students about art, she said.

Steck argued commissioners could fund the group with money used for economic development since one of Atelier's main goals is the cultivation and retention of home-grown talent. She said one way that is done is through an apprenticeship program that targets young artists who show talents in various fields.

The county currently gives the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce $150,000 for economic development activities. Steck, who chided the Chamber for not funding her group, encouraged the commission to use some of the money given to the Chamber to put toward her groups' efforts.

"Divert Chamber funding to more effective nonprofit agencies who have a record of delivering award-winning programs to the public," she said. "Invest in citizens who add value to the county."

Steck said she was not asking the commission to make an immediate decision on her proposal but did ask to have further discussions. Commissioners did not indicate whether they would consider a change.

Another nonprofit agency, the Cole County Senior Nutrition Center, plans to talk with the commission next week. The organization has annually received $10,000 from the county since the 1990s.