Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 21:06:22 +0000
From: Debra Henzey <>
Subject: Chatham Needs Volunteers for Nonprofit Grant Review Panels
Contact: Lisa West, 919-542-8200
January 19, 2015
Chatham Needs Volunteers for Nonprofit Grant Review Panels
PITTSBORO- Chatham County seeks interested citizens to serve on panels to review nonprofit funding requests. To broaden the opportunity for citizen input, the county is holding meetings during daytime and evening hours. The deadline to apply is Feb. 19, 2015.
The panels are in particular need of participants with expertise in human services, such as programs that serve seniors, children and families, low-income residents, disabled residents and others with special needs.
“These panels have a critical role in helping the county make the best decision about funding nonprofits,” said Renee Paschal, assistant county manager. “The grant process is very competitive, especially since we typically don’t have enough money to fund all requests.”
Paschal added that the panels provide a thorough review of all requests. “The Chatham County Board of Commissioners greatly appreciates input from the panel members on the best use of the county’s nonprofit funding.”
Review panel volunteers will receive training in March, visit four to six agencies in early April (at the volunteers’ convenience), hear 30-minute presentations from four to six agencies, and recommend county funding for each agency. Volunteers also will be asked to provide a written description of their funding decision and the rationale for that decision.
Volunteers can select the four-hour time blocks that they wish to serve. Meetings will be scheduled to accommodate as many volunteers as possible as well as to accommodate the nonprofit agencies under review. Review panels will meet from April 13-17, 2015.
Volunteers must be residents of Chatham County. Employees of non-profit agencies that apply for county funds are not eligible to serve. Board members and volunteers of non-profit agencies that apply for county funds may serve on a panel that is not related to their non-profit agency or any similar agency.
Volunteers who served on review panels last year do not need to complete another application but can email Lisa West directly no later than Feb. 19, 2015 to update their contact information and any changes to their nonprofit affiliations.
New volunteers must submit a completed volunteer application no later than Feb. 19, 2015. A link to the application form can be found at www.chathamnc..org
When you fill it in you must print it, otherwise the information will be lost. Or, you can print off the form, complete it manually and mail to: Lisa West, Chatham County Manager’s Office, P. O. Box 1809, Pittsboro, NC 27312 or fax to 542-8272.
Call or email Lisa West at 545-8483
In keeping with the NC Public Records Law, e-mails, including attachments, may be released to others upon request for inspection and copying.
Debra Henzey
Chatham County Director of Community Relations
919-542-8258
Cell 919-548-4662