Sunday, April 1, 2007

Kranz's efforts to democratize grant sharing makes sense

In the world of nonprofit organizations, grant funding is a hyper-competitive activity in which the best-presented and supported plans usually result in success. While there are winners and losers, few argue with the notion that the best applications should get the money.

Congratulations to Supervisor Bruce Kranz for introducing the same sense of consistency to the game known as the Placer County revenue-sharing grant process. Here's hoping his idea works for the Fifth District, and that the other four supervisors consider adopting a similar approach in coming years.

During each budget cycle, supervisors set aside $100,000 - $20,000 per district - for funding a variety of nonprofit, community-based projects and programs. Most of the grants are in small amounts, from $100 to $500, and support single events.

In some cases, supervisors band together and dedicate money outside of their districts, as they did last November in supporting the annual Mountain Mandarin Festival and Placer County Ducks Unlimited banquet. But for the most part, the grant decisions are made unilaterally by supervisors - and virtually below the radar.

Kranz has remained firm in refusing to distribute his $20,000 account, saying doing so would be a gift of taxpayer money. When other supervisors routinely place their requests for automatic approval through the meeting consent agenda, Kranz has pushed to have the grants come up for a board vote - a vote he has routinely lost, 4-1.

"In reality, it's not a lot of money, but it's the principle of the issue," Kranz told the Auburn Journal. "It's the county's money and really the taxpayers' money."

If you can't beat 'em, join em. Sort of. That's what Kranz did last week in establishing his own set of rules for approving revenue-sharing grants in his district, which stretches from Auburn to Lake Tahoe.

At the heart of the process will be a committee of district citizens who will decide the fate of grant applications. Kranz is forming the committee now, and is seeking members willing to serve.

Kranz is looking for representation from different geographical areas of his district, but his committee should also represent a cross-section of interests, including education, social services, economic development, environment and natural resources, cultural arts and recreational services.

Most of the events and programs in this region fall under these banners, and it's essential these interests are at the table, whether it's a $250 request for a music festival, $500 for a school program or $750 for a trail maintenance.

Kranz plans to limit grants to $1,000 or less, consistent with the current practices of supervisors. Public agencies, schools and nonprofit organizations can apply for the money by calling (530) 889-4010.

Once the fiscal year ends in June, Kranz should firm up the committee and grant process further, providing application deadlines, committee leadership and terms, and regular reporting requirements so constituents know where and how the money is being used.

Some might say that $20,000 isn't much to be adding "a layer of bureaucracy" to the decision-making process, but Kranz is right: This is taxpayer money and taxpayers should know how it's being spent.

Should other supervisors follow suit? It bears watching, but Kranz's efforts to democratize revenue-sharing grants seems to make a lot of sense.

May the best applications win.