MAYOR ACCEPTS COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT FUND RECOMMENDATIONS
Review panels complete merit-based process for awarding funds to nonprofits
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 18, 2008) -Mayor Karl Dean today announced he has accepted the award recommendations of the Community Enhancement Fund review panels.
The CEF grant program was established by the mayor to ensure the $2 million allocated in the 2008-2009 operating budget for local nonprofits are awarded on a merit basis. Members of community review panels independently scored the grant applications and then determined award recipients during public meetings held earlier this week.
Three priority areas for funding were identified by the mayor: education and aftercare, domestic violence and community service. A review panel was established for each priority area. Review panel members were selected by the mayor, Vice Mayor Diane Neighbors and Councilmember Erik Cole, who also serves as the chair of the Council’s Budget and Finance Committee.
“This is a tight budget year and we have limited resources to share with our nonprofit community,” Dean said. “It is important that the resources we have be distributed in a fair and equitable way. The grant program allowed for the thoughtful consideration of the needs of our community and the best organizations to fulfill those needs. I want to thank the review panel members for their commitment to this process.”
Education and Aftercare
The education and aftercare panel reviewed 42 grant applications. In narrowing the field to the final 14, the panel's chief concerns were track record, ability to match and maximize public funds and provide quality programming citywide for students in Pre-K, elementary, middle and high school. Katy Varney, partner of McNeely Pigott & Fox Public Relations, served as chair of the review panel.
“Innovative initiatives for every quadrant of the city – from aftercare to fitness and nutrition education to intensive tutoring and introductions to theatre and music – were funded. The panel was impressed with the level of commitment by so many nonprofit agencies to providing every child in Nashville the opportunity to succeed,” Varney said.
| Education /Aftercare Organization | Recommended Award | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem Centers of Nashville | $29,070 | Tutoring |
| Bookem | $11,034 | Literacy / book distribution |
| Fannie Battle Day Home, Inc. | $20,500 | Aftercare and summer programming |
| Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee | $20,000 | Scout troop leader stipend |
| Homework Hotline | $10,000 | Tutoring / bilingual phone |
| McNeilly Center for Children | $124,817 | Aftercare for 4 to 12 year olds |
| Nashville Academy Theatre | $50,000 | Children's Theater performances |
| Nashville Ballet | $2,000 | Ballet class at Smithson-Craighead |
| Nashville Symphony Association | $25,000 | Music education in Stratford cluster |
| Project for Neighborhood Aftercare | $300,079 | Before and aftercare for 11 schools |
| St. Luke's Community House | $20,000 | Pre-school teachers |
| St. Mary Villa Child Development Center | $10,000 | New Pre-K site on Nolensville Road |
| United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee | $90,000 | Assistance for disabled children to attend programs |
| Youth Encouragement Services | $37,500 | Fitness and nutrition for 6 to18 year olds in north and south Nashville |
| Total | $750,000 |
Domestic Violence
The domestic violence review panel considered 17 applications, each of which were placed in one of four sub-categories: shelter, advocacy, counseling/prevention and other. In addition to considering the application scores, the sub-categories of shelter and advocacy were heavily weighted because of the direct service provided for victims of domestic violence. Beth Courtney, chairman and CEO of Seigenthaler Public Relations, served as the panel chair.
“Our committee strived to allocate Metro’s resources carefully, by balancing the merit of each application and prioritizing Davidson County’s stated priorities of direct service. This was certainly challenging because there are so many worthy nonprofits providing service in the domestic violence area and limited Metro resources available. We feel that our process was thoughtful and fair within this context,” Courtney said.
| Domestic Violence Organization | Recommended Award | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Family & Children’s Service | $48,600 | Counseling |
| Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee | $165,465 | Advocacy (legal) |
| Morning Star Sanctuary, Inc. | $165,495 | Shelter |
| Nurses for Newborns Foundation | $97,170 | Nurse home visits |
| The Mary Parrish Center | $77,100 | Advocacy (paralegal) and counseling |
| YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee | $196,170 | Shelter |
| Total | $750,000 |
Community Service
The community services panel deliberations resulted in recommendations for six local agencies out of a total 52 applications reviewed. By consensus, the panel decided to award funds based entirely on the rank order of scores. Brenda Wynn, director of community outreach for U.S. Congressman Jim Cooper’s Office, served as the panel chair.
“Our process was open and transparent, and resulted in funding priorities that focus on neighborhoods, transportation, advocacy, basic needs and adult literacy,” Wynn said.
| Community Service Organization | Recommended Award | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville Adult Literacy Council | $60,000 | Adult education |
| Nashville CARES | $56,875 | HIV/AIDS (transportation) |
| Neighborhoods Resource Center | $36,658 | Neighborhoods |
| Rape & Sexual Abuse Center | $50,000 | Sex abuse counseling |
| Second Harvest Food Bank | $202,500 | Basic needs (food) |
| Tennessee Voices for Children | $93,967 | Mental health services for youth |
| Total | $500,000 |
The recommendations will be submitted to the Metro Council for consideration at the Aug. 7 meeting. All applicants will be given the opportunity to complete a survey of the program in the coming weeks.
Additional information about the CEF grant program, including the program handbook and a list of applicant scores, is available online at www.nashville.gov/finance/grants_coordination/CEF.
For media inquiries contact:
Bonna Johnson
615-862-6461
bonna.johnson@nashville.gov