By Mesquite District Councilmember Bridget Binsbacher
The city of Peoria is proud of its relationships with local nonprofit agencies that provide valuable services to residents. Each year, the city conducts a grant process to allocate federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), as well as city general funds to nonprofit partners. These funds are granted to nonprofit agencies for an array of purposes to assist Peoria’s youth, elderly, individuals with disabilities, homeless, and other underprivileged individuals and families.
As part of this process, the city collaborates with residents and nonprofit partners to identify community needs. Nonprofit partners submit grant applications to the city for activities and projects designed to meet these needs. The Council Not-for-Profit Subcommittee, consisting of three city council members, meets with applicants to review the proposed programs and then recommends funding for the programs that will best meet these needs. These recommendations are then adopted by the full city council during the budget process. I have been fortunate to be part of this committee that interviews and selects the proposals that bring such vital resources to many of our residents.
Grants are awarded to nonprofit agencies to provide referrals; health, education, and employment services; food; rent, mortgage, and utility assistance; domestic violence intervention; homeless outreach and prevention; new housing; housing rehabilitation; shelter; access to public facilities; and an array of other needed services. The programs developed by these nonprofits provide critical resources to many Peoria residents.
I continue to be so impressed with the diversity of programs to select from and I am grateful for the valuable partnerships with so many nonprofits. In Fiscal Year 2020-2021, Peoria awarded more than $1.1 million in annual grants to more than 36 nonprofit agencies who were able to assist nearly 15,000 individuals and families with much-needed services. In addition, these nonprofit agencies were able to recruit more than 2,500 volunteers who donated over 68,000 hours helping Peoria residents. We are truly a community that cares about and for each other.
Many years ago, I left a corporate career and chose to lead a nonprofit that serves youth charities and organizations in Peoria and the West Valley. I know first-hand how dedicated local nonprofits are to making a difference in our city. Nonprofits create safety nets for individuals and families that are beyond the scope of government. Leveraging philanthropy (your donations), government grants and corporate partnerships, nonprofits bring services and programs like the arts, childcare, housing and so much more to our community. By working together, we can create a healthy, vibrant community where everyone is lifted. We are grateful for our partnerships with the nonprofit sector and their work to make Peoria a place where we all support one another.
What would you like to see in your community?
If there is something you would like to see in our district, or if you have any concerns, I want to know. Contact me directly at 623-773-7306 or [email protected]. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter, and sign up for my e-newsletter on the Mesquite District page on peoriaaz.gov. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
