News

Nonprofit leaders urge commissioners to take input on needs

By Lightning Reports, Published: April 4, 2022

The leaders of the two largest nonprofits providing human services, social services and other forms of help for the needy appealed to the Henderson County Board of Commissioners on Monday to hear in more detail how the county's nonprofit agencies can use American Rescue Plan money.

"We're here to appeal on behalf of Henderson County's incredible nonprofit community and we want to ask you to consider input from our nonprofit leaders before making you're final decision on ARP funding," said Denise Cumbee Long, executive director of the United Way. Guiding the two largest charity programs, the two leaders meet regularly with othernonprofits.

"We feel this gives us a bird's eye view of some of the issues and challenges that our nonprofits are able to address in the community," she said. "The last two years have been hard on everybody but especially on vulnerable people in our community."

"We feel this funds are really a unique opportunity that are not likely to come our way again," he said. "Our nonprofit's valuable input would benefit our community and would also align with the ARP guidelines."

McCray Benson, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, also praised the record of the county's many profits in meeting needs in housing, food, health and other areas.

"They work collaboratively and have had success addressing issues like homelessness and housing," hunger, substance abuse, mental health instability and other areas, he said. "Nonprofits are experienced in handling sophisticated accounting for funding from multiple funding streams including federal and state funds. Denise and I have heard from a number of nonprofits that they can use ARPA funds for specific projects that align with our priorities."