ANN ARBOR, MI — While local officials make plans for a new partnership to fund human services programs, Ann Arbor is granting $633,765 in “six-month transition funding” to nonprofit organizations that rely on public funding.
City Council voted unanimously to approve the allocations this week, prioritizing the money to help vulnerable low-income residents with food, housing and other needs.
Washtenaw County is kicking in another $507,500 in transition funding support for similar programs.
The plan now is to finish developing a longer-term strategy for human services support, focused more intently on addressing racial equity and community trauma, said County Commissioner Jason Morgan, D-Ann Arbor.
For the last several years, public and private entities in Washtenaw County have partnered to fund human services programs through a coordinated funding process.
Last year’s coordinated funding totaled $4 million, including $1.2 million from the city, $1 million from the county, $1 million from the United Way, $318,525 from the Washtenaw Urban County, $290,582 from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation and $125,000 from St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor.
In recent years, funding partners have indicated a desire to change and redirect the partnership, adding a focus on equity and addressing racism, poverty and trauma, said Teresa Gillotti, director of the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development, which oversees the funding.
Last fall, the Community Foundation announced it was exiting the partnership and remaining partners are interested in seeing if there can be a new partnership with more of an equity focus, but details have yet to be developed, Gillotti said in a memo.
In an update to city officials, Gillotti said her office is working on establishing the values and goals for the new partnership.
As that work continues and is expected to expand over the summer to include elected officials, community partners and community voices, additional time is needed to thoughtfully develop a new process, she said, recommending six-month transition grant funding for nonprofits providing safety-net and COVID-response services to priority populations.
Recipients of the city’s transition funds include Avalon Housing, Barrier Busters, Community Action Network, Growing Hope, Home of New Vision, Jewish Family Services, Michigan Ability Partners, Ozone House, Packard Health, Peace Neighborhood Center, Shelter Association, SOS Community Services, Salvation Army, Washtenaw Area Council For Children and Washtenaw Literacy.
The county’s money is going to Aid In Milan, Ann Arbor YMCA, Catholic Social Services, Child Care Network, Community Resource Center, Corner Health Center, Faith in Action, Foundations Preschool, Michigan Advocacy Program, Ozone House, SOS Community Services, Student Advocacy Center of Michigan, Washtenaw Community College Foundation, Washtenaw Intermediate School District and Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels.
See the full list of programs funded.
St. Joseph is not able to participate in transition funding, but Community Mental Health has offered to cover its six months of transition grants to allow funds to reach other community partners providing safety-net services, Gillotti said.
Staff also has reviewed United Way and Community Foundation transition funds with a goal of maintaining funding for previous grantees during the transition and most will receive about 93% of their original funding for six months, Gillotti said.
Amanda Carlisle, Washtenaw Housing Alliance executive director, expressed concern last month about the current coordinated funding partnership ending June 30. While the WHA does not receive any of the funding, many of its member agencies do and they’ve been concerned about the uncertainty, not knowing what to expect next, she said.
“These agencies are providing basic human services such as emergency shelter, permanent housing and food to Washtenaw County’s lowest-income and most-vulnerable community members,” she wrote in an email. “And many of the agencies have had to expand or tailor services during this COVID-19 pandemic and are now facing budget uncertainty.”
Most agencies are relieved the transition grants are now approved but continue to have concerns about what will come next and how future funds will be allocated, Carlisle said.
Some nonprofits are expected to continue receiving funds in 2022 and beyond, but some may not if their mission does not line up with the goals of the new partnership.
Commenting on the expected new equity focus on racism, poverty and trauma, Mayor Christopher Taylor said those are areas of critical importance to everyone in the community and he’s delighted the city and county are working together.
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Ypsilanti’s Hope Clinic launches $5.5 million campaign to expand free services
Ann Arbor officials working out spending plan for $24M federal stimulus
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