This year 112 nonprofit organizations applied to Guilford County for a total of about $10 million in the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget and the county decided to fund nearly half of those to the tune of $1,885,000.
Though there’s seemingly no rhyme or reason as to which groups got funded and which did not, there is always one factor that helps some groups get on the list. One or more commissioners favors that nonprofit and asked that they be included. In some cases, commissioners insist on a groups inclusion in order to vote for the budget.
Each year at budget time, there are always a lot of interesting aspects to the nonprofit funding decisions by the Board of Commissioners. The late Carolyn Coleman, who as a commissioner always fought for the African-American Atelier to get money, wasn’t there this time to champion the small downtown Greensboro art gallery’s cause. However, the Atelier got $50,000 once again this year in the 2023-2024 Guilford County budget.
Families Against Senseless Killings got $25,000, while Feral Cats Program in High Point got $10,000 but other groups that also do good work didn’t get any taxpayer money.
Some organizations getting funding to help preserve “access to healthcare, wellbeing and food security” in the county were A Simple Gesture ($15,000), Arc of High Point ($20,000), Combat Female Veterans Families United ($50,000), Commander Peace Academy ($20,000), Concept Innovators ($5,000), Growing High Point ($20,000), Senior Resources ($50,000), The MIND Group ($25,000) and the Triad Food Pantry ($50,000).
The International Civil Rights Center and Museum, which was co-founded by Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners Skip Alston, got way more than any other group – $200,000. That’s for the museum’s effort to become a World Heritage landmark like the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon.
The nonprofit to get the next largest amount of money was the Southwest Renewal Foundation of High Point, which got $125,000 in taxpayer money.
Next in line, as far as amounts go, were the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, the Carl Chavis YMCA and Sister Circle International, which each got $75,000.
The county commissioners never explained why these groups are getting funding rather than others, nor have they explained how the amounts were decided. The Dudley Panther Athletic Club, for instance, got $50,000 while the Southwest High School Booster Club got $5,000 and all the other school booster clubs in the county each got $0.
Some funded groups included Kids Poetry Basketball, the Diaper Bank of North Carolina, the Pleasant Garden Fire Department and The Sparrow’s Nest doing business as the Black Suit Initiative.
There are too many funded nonprofits to name, but a complete list of those receiving county money and the amounts can be found by visiting https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/14000/638231277439300000 and scrolling down to page 18.
DUH….commonly called buying votes.
There’s going to be a reckoning in Guilford County politics. Beware
Did any conservative groups receive a grant?
Ooooooooooo…I bet Skip and Nancy are sooooooo scared.
Why do you care chris Greensboro has nothing to do with you
Sigh. I need senior living relief. Die or move out.
Nothing here surprises me but once again I have to ask shouldn’t Skippy’s pet project be independent by now? Just what is all the money being spent on? I for one would like to see an itemized accounting of these funds.
Still funding the Money Pit downtown. I guess this is a form of reparations that the tax payers will endure for life. Funny that Skip and others think this is a World Heritage site comparable to the Statute of Liberty and other sites. Sad how much tax payer money has been wasted on this site.
Why is the county giving Xmas gifts the first week in July.
I thought we were taxed to pay the counties bills!
It is my understanding that Skippy needs the money to pay for the entire block of land the “museum” purchased. He wants to expand the “museum”. Greensboro needs to elect a city council with guts that will challenge Skippy and others who support the museum boondoggle. The “museum” pays zero taxes. An entire city block is now a tax-free zone. Not only did taxpayer money pay for the entire block, but taxpayers also will continue to pay through higher property taxes because the boondoggle is tax-exempt.
It’s amazing that the foundation that was co-founded my Skip Alston got the most money. I bet if we look at the record this organization gets the most money every year. I just don’t understand why this place needs so much money when it is basically just a lunch counter. I know this place has a history but $200,000 for a counter is ridiculous. I also wonder how it’s not a conflict of interest Skip is the co-founder of this organization. I also don’t think it should be up to the people on the board to decide based on the ones they like. This money should be used for where it does the most good.
200k is nothing compared to what the county and city gave last year
Damn right!
@ScottYost, Can we get a follow-up that lays out the TOTAL amount of tax dollars that have funded the museum since it’s creation? That should be eye opening.
It was a Woolworth’s, not the Ark of The Covenant. Hardly worth anything, It’s a few boards, some plywood, a sheet of formica, some trim, and a few stools.
How many roads could they pave, or re-pave, with that money? Is everyone like me in that we seem to hit every pothole, or sewer main plate, in Greensboro? This council is buying votes, pure and simple. And remember this the next time they run for office. Handouts to their favorite people, and in exchange they get their votes. Sad.
Well, looks my initial comments on this topic were scrubbed by the policy police. And I didn’t use curse words either or disparage anyone, just pointing out the facts that give-a-ways are a form of “Thank You” cards to the political supporters of those on the council.
Twice I replied to this post, and twice they scrubbed my post. . . which aluded to the political payoffs for the celected officials with their get out the vote campaigners, and beneficiaries of the handouts. Sadly, if your posts are not in line with the majority, you get blocked. Let’s see if this one makes it.
Can you say “money laundering”???