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D.C. Council eases restrictions on earmarks to help nonprofits
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Related Topics: WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The D.C. Council last week eased the way for the recipients of millions in earmarks to receive their grants, whether or not those groups have satisfied conditions meant to ensure the money will be well-spent.
In their last two meetings before the summer recess, council members voted to water down the stipulations they had placed on all fiscal 2009 earmarks — more than $56 million worth for roughly 170 community organizations.
The most substantial amendment: Rather than restricting the disbursement of noncompetitive grants to groups that provide specific financial and planning documents by an Aug. 15 deadline, the council instead will allow recipients to partner with a “fiscal agent” who does meet the government’s conditions and can act as a pass-through for the earmarked dollars.
“I think this will help these newer organizations, these smaller organizations to get these grants, which in turn empower them to do the services that they’re committed to without sacrificing the important objectives of creating standards and restrictions on the earmarks,” said Ward 1 Councilman Jim Graham.
At-large Councilwoman Carol Schwartz, the body’s only Republican, was alone in her opposition.
“At least this year, we did show some desire to make sure that certain organizations meet certain requirements, and now we’re undoing some of those requirements,” Schwartz said. “It really is cutting a check for a group.”
Council Chairman Vincent Gray, who drafted the earmark-related amendments, said he was trying to be more flexible with nonprofits while still providing oversight. The council agreed, for example, that a current financial statement from a certified accountant will satisfy the requirement for a full-fledged audit, which can cost up to $20,000 and take four months.
“We have been working hard to place some guardrails around how we do this yet continue what has been I think a very successful practice, and that is getting resources to organizations that otherwise wouldn’t have these opportunities,” said Gray, who is developing a long-term policy for handling earmarks.
Chuck Bean, executive director of the D.C.-based Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington, said the District is right to expect a return on its investment. The fiscal agent plan, he said, is a “best of both worlds” alternative that provides the balance between scrutiny and “allowing those groups to do their good work.”
mneibauer@dcexaminer.com
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Examiner Reader said:
We need to see an updated story on the center they celebrate 40 years this year.
5 agree | 5 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Funny that the point has been lost in this article.Better take a good look at what you get into.
18 agree | 16 disagree
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James Hall said:
I'm honored and blessed to be working in the Youth Service arena, however I'm having difficulties locating events and activities for our youngmen who range from 12 through 18. The Summer for AT-RISK youth can offten be extremely dissapointing. If your agency has any resources that we can access please forward them to: James Hall; diamona4sure@yahoo.com. Our kids would really be greatful and appreciative!!! Mr. James Hall, Counselor Our Fortress Homes, Inc. 410-485-4958
16 agree | 16 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I guess the answer to my previous question is, "No, Mr. Corrigan is incapable of writing about anything other than Nonprofits." I guess the Examiner realizes that if he writes about anything else, Mr. Corrigan only spouts he own political views instead of reporting.
27 agree | 18 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
While I realize that Mr. Corrigan has limited writing skills and he enjoys wearing out his Thesaurus in an attempt to impress people with his vocabulary, can't he write about anything other than Nonprofits?
26 agree | 16 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
At least this time Mr. Corrigan wrote a variation on his theme of the past 10 weeks, instead of just the same story with different words.
25 agree | 17 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It seems as though the Examiner just lets Mr. Corrigan recycle the same story every week or so, and has let him do it for about the last 9 weeks. As much as I support recycling, I think it might be time for a new topic.
26 agree | 19 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It's only a matter of time. Plan thoroughly, consider all options, and where roadblocks are placed before you, find alternatives. Remember that during the Katrina evac, all the buses where in the up-scale part of town that the walkers from poor sections couldn't get to in time. Please be careful. People need you, but there are those who don't want you to succeed.
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Examiner Reader said:
With all the shady, non-taxed, I mean, so-called, non-profits in Maryland, working for a non-profit is working in the private sector.
190 agree | 192 disagree
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Huh? said:
"[T]his $1.6 million, 22-employee nonprofit has a track record to support its claim." Okay, fair enough. So, what's the track record? Also, if the org has helped about 1,000 women since 1994, that's fewer than 90 women per year and there are 22 employees! It had better be successful at that ratio. Another point: Not-for-profit is merely a tax status. It does not mean that administrators cannot earn a handsome salary. I am not suggesting that is the case here but there's a reason these places don't share that info without being asked.
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Examiner Reader said:
As a woman in recovery who needed balance in my life recovery houses such as M artha"s Place deserve to recieve all the available resources to help restore self-esteem, and save lives. How can we mimnimize lives by withholding funds. I am an alumni who's life has been restored because of Martha's Place! I thank God for Elder & Mrs.Harris for leaping out into an area many others have not and willnot accept the challenage to save lives!
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Examiner Reader said:
Hi! Thank you so much for printing this article. It is a wonderful summary of what this incredible organization does. My husband works for Jeff Singer. Jeff is an incredibly humble, gracious and loving person. He truly cares about each person who comes through his Center. He deeply appreciates the job that everyone does on a daily basis. One can only truly appreciate the magnificent compassion and respect this organization offers to our homeless friends by visiting the center and helping face-to-face, hand-to-hand and heart-to-heart as this family reaches out to those in need. Thanks again for helping to make our neighbors aware of the needs of our brothers and sisters and the assistance provided by these loving angels of mercy!
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Matthew C. Andrea said:
Please post the contact information for PlayPumps International. This concept is brilliant, fun and uplifting. Definitely something that I would like to support.
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Examiner Reader said:
When is Montgomery County going to realize that Casa of MD is taking them/us to the cleaners?
628 agree | 423 disagree
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