Bayfield launched its annual nonprofit community funding application Wednesday. As of Monday, 13 organizations had submitted applications, requesting almost $40,000 from the town.
Since the town formalized the nonprofit funding application process in 2013, it has given nonprofits about $24,000 on average each year. Most years, about 10 organizations apply, and five to seven receive funding. It’s too early to know how much the Town Board will give nonprofits – board members don’t submit their 2020 budget until Oct. 15 – but the application process is ramping up quickly. For nonprofits, even small funds can make a big difference.
“I don’t know exactly how much we’re able to dole out for nonprofits,” said Bayfield Mayor Matt Salka. “My feeling is that we’re probably still on track with what we did last year.”
Last year, Bayfield disbursed almost $31,000 to seven nonprofits. As of Monday, the 13 nonprofits requested $39,000, and the town budgeted $30,000. Those numbers will likely change with four weeks left in the application period and two months before the Town Board submits the 2020 budget.
“I do stress that people put in their application to be considered. We want to give everyone an equal opportunity to apply for this grant,” Salka said. The application period ends Aug. 30.
To qualify, nonprofits must provide services in the town of Bayfield and be a 501(c)(3) organization in good standing. Applying doesn’t guarantee funding – the board of trustees sometimes chooses not to fund an organization or reduces the request based on availability of resources, said Chris La May, Bayfield town manager.
“We do ask that they are consistent with our vision,” La May said. That means services that help expand economic opportunities in Bayfield, nurture a culture of participation or provide a service that assists with an unmet need.
Road Runner Transit, a nonprofit transportation service, is the fund’s largest recipient. The organization has received $8,000 to $12,000 each year since 2013.
Those funds help the transit organization keep buses running multiple times a day, said Matt Nesbitt, director of Road Runner.
“I’ve always wanted to match (Bayfield) with Ignacio and get it up to four or five rides a day, but it just costs a lot,” Nesbitt said. If Road Runner received fewer funds from Bayfield, it would have to decrease from three to two rides each day. “That would be tough on the riders,” he said.
The second largest recipient, La Plata Youth Services, received almost $8,000 from the town each year since 2013.
The nonprofit focuses on reducing the number of youth in the juvenile justice system and connects families to substance abuse counseling, restorative justice and more. It uses the town funds to support a youth advocate in Bayfield, said Katy Pepinsky, executive director of La Plata Youth Services.
“As a nonprofit organization, we work with and rely upon each of our local government partners,” she said. LPYS provides a service that, at times, local governments can’t fill, “so our partnerships are critical, and one aspect of that is financial partnership.”
smullane@durangoherald.com
