For a second year, the city of Lexington is awarding grants to nonprofit agencies for capital projects, Mayor Linda Gorton said today.
“Nonprofits provide important services in our community. Although we have traditionally provided support for these agencies, it is usually for operating expenses,” Gorton said. “Nonprofits often find that grants they qualify for cannot be used for capital expenses.”
Pending final approval of the Urban County Council, the one-time grants to 12 agencies include $479,300 to support facility improvements and operational investments. Unlike last year, when the city awarded federal funds from the American Rescue Plan, the awards this year come from local tax revenue.
With these new grants, the 12 agencies will receive funds that will benefit 17 programs. To qualify for the grants, nonprofits must be located in Fayette County, or serve local residents.
The majority of the funds – 73% – will be used for agencies’ facility improvements. The remaining 27% will be funneled into operation investments for the agencies, for example upgrading the commercial kitchen at FoodChain, Inc., with a generator, cooler, and freezer.
“Through these grants, social service agencies will be able to do a better job and serve more people,” Gorton said.
Social Services Commissioner Kacy Allen-Bryant said, “To once again be able to assist our local non-profits with their capital projects is indeed an honor. We’ve seen through the first launch of the Nonprofit Capital Project Grants program in 2022 how truly transformative these funds have been for the agencies’ operations and overall effectiveness.”
The grants range in size from $11,885 to $55,000.
The grants will provide one-time assistance to 12 non-profit agencies. Evaluation criteria included a demonstrated need, providing services to low-income, underserved, or marginalized Fayette County residents, operational feasibility, agency capacity for the project, and a cost analysis. Funds must be used before April 30, 2025.
In choosing the programs, city teams from the Social Services Department, General Services Department, Housing Advocacy and Community Development Department, and the Chief Information Officer extensively reviewed 68 proposals from 37 difference agencies requesting a total of $1.49 million.
