KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly is changing the way non-profits are funded. During a Thursday work session, the assembly discussed a new application that will be required for non-profits looking to obtain funding from the borough. Assemblywoman Carol Austerman helped create the application and said the goal was to make it more clear how the money will be spent within a particular non-profit.
— (Non-profits 1 :42 “Basically what our goal is with this … that tax payer money.”)
A handful of representatives from various local non-profits attended Thursday’s work session. The floor was opened up for those individuals to provide feedback on the new application. Many in the room expressed concern over a business plan being included in the application. On the back page of the application is a check list of documents to attach, including an organization’s business plan.
Trevor Jones is the executive director of the Kodiak Baptist Mission, which owns and operates the Kodiak Island Food Bank. He said the recent construction of a new building at the Mission was completely funded through grants, none of which required a business plan.
— (Non-profits 2 :49 “We did that all through … the service delivery side.”)
Joe Dinnocenzo is the district manager for the Kodiak Soil and Water Conservation District and said requiring a business plan may actually discourage non-profits from seeking borough funds.
— (Non-profits 3 :46 “The concept of a business plan … make sense.”)
Austerman replied to the criticism of the business plan by saying it wasn’t actually required.
— (Non-profits 4 :52 “We did not say that those … plan, if available.”)
The assembly made some tweaks to the application so the required and optional materials were better defined. Other minor changes were made, and the application is expected to be available online sometime this week.
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