City's awards to nonprofits topic of discussion

Carson City supervisors will decide how to award money to local nonprofits during a special meeting that begins at 6 tonight.

The overall budget for community support grants is 10 percent smaller than last year. Not only will the city cut back on the pool of available funds for nonprofits this year, but no new recipients will be added to the list.

While the Community Council on Youth distributes money to a variety of groups, "this year it was obviously that much harder," said Eric Ohlsen, executive director of the council.

This group is slated to receive $90,000 this year instead of the $100,000 it obtained last year.

"There are always more requests for funding than we can fulfill," he said.

Areas of interest of the council are prevention and reduction of: underage drinking, substance abuse, violence and gang activity, mental health and depression. They also allocate funds toward parent education.

The nonprofits must submit applications and discuss their requests with the supervisors before the amounts are determined and approved.

Some of the supervisors say the oral presentations are important because it's government money being awarded.

The supervisors also prefer to have the recipients make presentations "so the public can hear how the services are supporting the community," said Supervisor Shelly Aldean.

Last year, the supervisors gave $290,000 to more than a dozen nonprofits - $100,000 of which was for one-time expenses. This year $260,000 will be available for up to 11 groups, including Advocates to End Domestic Violence, Nevada Hispanic Services and Nevada Day Inc.

The money comes from the city's general fund. Many of the groups offer services to residents that would cost the city a lot more to provide on its own. The awards help the groups - which also receive money from a variety of other sources - and the community at large, said City Manager Linda Ritter.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

If you go

WHAT: Board of Supervisors

Special Session: Community

Support Services Grants

presentations

WHEN: 6 p.m.

WHERE: Sierra Room, Community Center, 851 E. William St.

Note: The supervisors will also hold their regular meeting beginning at 8:30 a.m.