The City of Fishers announced the nonprofit organizations to receive financial support in 2018, based on a city council committee recommendation.  The Fishers Freedom Festival, an event held locally since 1989, was not on that list.

Below is a listing of the groups set to receive funding from the city in 2018:

 

         Advocates for Children and Families, dba Cherish

·         Ascent 121

·         Conner Prairie Museum, Inc.

·         Geist Half Marathon

·         Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Inc.

·         Hamilton County Leadership Academy

·         Hamilton County Youth Assistance

·         Hamilton Southeastern School Foundation

·         Hope Academy

·         Janus Developmental Services

·         Nickel Plate Arts

·         Spaceport Exploration

·         YMI

 

 

The Fishers Freedom Festival did apply for 2018 support from the city council committee evaluating these funding requests, but Festival Executive Director Jennifer Kehl told LarryInFishers, “We (Fishers Freedom Festival) are disappointed we were not offered an interview, but not surprised.   It is a shame the city council and the mayor don’t see the value the festival brings to the community.”

Kehl says the festival has two more events to handle yet this year, but the board of directors and volunteer committees for the festival will be making a decision on the 2018 Fishers Freedom Festival by the end of October.

LarryInFishers asked Kehl whether the city would be willing to continue in-kind support from city departments if the festival can raise enough money for next year’s Freedom Festival.  “There has not been any conversation,” said Kehl, “other than, it was my understanding this not-for-profit committee, whatever funding they give you, is the funding they give you.  That includes in-kind support.”

The city used a new system and set of criteria to evaluate the use of city funds supporting local non-profit groups.  The Non-Profit Grant Committee, comprised of Fishers City Council members Cecilia Coble, Brad DeReamer, and Pete Peterson, recommended distribution of grant awards to 13 non-profit groups, not to exceed a total of $331,500.

To be eligible for the grant award, non-profits submitted proposed project or events via an application and review process conducted by the Committee. All organizations are required to have IRS 501(c)(3) status, be able to quantify the organization’s impact on Fishers residents, and show their ability to provide a financial match to the grant award.

25 applications were submitted to the committee. The panel conducted two follow up interviews, and will present their informal recommendation during the Finance Committee meeting on later today for consideration as part of the 2018 City Budget. The City Budget will be considered by the full City Council during its September 18 meeting with the final budget approval to occur at the October 16 City Council meeting. Nonprofit grant funds will be distributed in January 2018.

According to the city news release, all grant applications were scored under the following guidelines:

·         Maximum grant amount for each project or event will be $100,000.

·         Depending on grant amount and/or percentage of the total project or event budget is provided by the grant, a board appointment for one Council member may be required.

·         Organization should establish need for grant for the project or event.

·         Organization should demonstrate overall community enhancement and impact in Fishers.

·         Quarterly accounting provided by the Organization to City Council Non-Profit Committee.

·         Organization should demonstrate financial responsibility and management qualifications.

·         Organization should provide the commitment, capacity and ability of the Organization to carry out the project or event.