Thirteen local nonprofit organizations have requested a total of $114,696 from the Haines Borough for the upcoming fiscal year.
The Haines Borough Assembly last June approved an $11.7 million budget that awarded $100,000 in grants, up from the $82,000 allocated the previous fiscal year.
Requests had totaled $118,500, and money went to Big Brothers Big Sisters ($3,500), Chilkat Snowburners ($1,500), Chilkat Valley Community Foundation ($5,000), Chilkat Valley Preschool ($18,000), Haines Animal Rescue Kennel ($5,000), Haines Chamber of Commerce ($3,000), Haines Dolphins swim team ($5,000), Haines Friends of Recycling ($7,000), KHNS ($2,500), Lynn Canal Counseling Services ($28,000), Southeast Alaska Independent Living ($2,000), Southeast Alaska State Fair ($13,500) and Southeast Senior Services ($6,000).
The Southeast Alaska State Fair again has requested $15,000 for the next fiscal year. According to a prioritized list submitted to the borough, plumbing repairs and replacing sinks and roofing on food vendor booths are the fair’s top items for funding.
“Our organization is not overly reliant on non-sustainable income sources and we do generate a small earnings reserve each year that is reinvested in our operating reserve after we meet staffing, facilities and event costs,” Kelly Hostetler, fair executive director, wrote in the grant application. “But that small surplus isn’t enough for the organization to grow, or to keep up with the extensive deferred maintenance needs of our 44-acre grounds and associated facilities without help from public and private funders.”
Burl Sheldon of Big Brothers Big Sisters asked for $10,000 in this year’s grant application and noted, “The increased amount of our request is due to anticipated federal budget tightening.”
“These cuts will devastate many Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies, but are likely to cost far more in the long run,” Sheldon wrote.
Last year, Big Brothers Big Sisters requested $15,000.
The Chilkat Valley Preschool request was $19,000, the same as in 2010.
“The funding from the Borough grant helps us pay for utilities and salaries and allows us to keep tuition low so that the program is accessible to a wide range of Haines families,” wrote Sara Chapell, board president.
KHNS would use the $2,975 it requested to improve basketball radio coverage.
“KHNS is asking for funds in support of being able to broadcast good quality basketball, specifically to help purchase new remote equipment that will help ensure that basketball broadcasts are as easy as possible for the people at either end of the production,” wrote Kay Clements, general manager.
The Haines Dolphins swim team ($5,000), Haines Friends of Recycling ($7,621), Lynn Canal Counseling Services ($30,000) and Southeast Alaska Independent Living ($5,000) requested grants to cover basic operating expenses.
Other funding requests include Chilkat Snowburners, $2,500 for the Alcan 200 snowmachine race; Chilkat Valley Community Foundation, $5,000 for its grant program for community nonprofit organizations; Haines Chamber of Commerce, $4,000 for the Fourth of July fireworks display; Haines Sportsmen’s Association, $2,000 for the Haines King Salmon Derby; and Southeast Senior Services, $6,600 for meal and transportation services.
The borough’s budget must be adopted by June 15.