Activities geared toward kids caused the three-member Greene County Commission to draw a line on allocating federal funding to Springfield's LGBTQ advocacy group, The GLO Center.
The commission awarded funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to six nonprofit groups on Feb. 28. To get money, nonprofits had to apply, demonstrate their service to citizens of Greene County, and demonstrate negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the presiding commissioner, Bob Dixon made a series of recommendations to the two associate commissioners Feb. 28. There were six of them, which added up to more than $900,000 in disbursements.
Second District Commissioner John C. Russell supported all of Dixon’s recommendations but one, a $10,000 funding recommendation for funding the GLO Center.
The GLO Center helps people in the LGBTQ community and offers support groups for varieties of people and connects people to appropriate support groups outside the GLO Center. In house, the GLO Center’s youth groups are its longest-running programs.
The GLO Center application, Russell said, states it will host “semi-autonomous groups that target specific populations,” including a group called Rainbow Kids. The GLO Center’s website describes Rainbow Kids as a “youth outreach program for LGBTQIA+ kids aged 5-11 (accompanied by a grownup).” The GLO Center’s youth coordinator oversees the group’s activities. An outing to the Springfield Art Museum is among its most recent activities.
“I have serious concerns about allocating taxpayer money to an organization that targets kids ages 5-11,” Russell said. “And there are other groups besides the Rainbow Kids, but if they’re going to include that in what they’re asking, I can’t support that.”
First District Commissioner Rusty MacLachlan sided with Russell concerning the GLO Center’s application.
“Because that was listed, and it was in their words — ‘targeted’ — I can’t go there with that group,” MacLachlan said.
MacLachlan then lobbied to include $117,289.32 for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Ozarks in this round of funding. Big Brothers, Big Sisters applied for money to upgrade technology used in interviews, fund background checks and hire a marketing associate.
The GLO Center is one of 100 nonprofit organizations to apply for funding allocated to Greene County through ARPA. The commission has been asked for more than $21 million.
Dixon added the ARPA funding is not done, and there will still be more allocations before the window of funding closes.
“These are difficult choices because we have a lot of organizations in our community that are doing a lot of good, and far more than what we’ve been provided funds for,” Dixon said.
Funding opportunity still stands
On its website, the GLO Center states its mission is to serve “the LGBTQIA community in the Ozarks through support, resources, education and advocacy, to create a more inclusive and welcoming community where all can thrive.” According to its website, the GLO Center was founded in 1996 and is the oldest operating community center for members of the LGBTQ community in Missouri.
Dr. Lyle Foster, Greene County’s contract ARPA grant and equality specialist, reached out to GLO Center representatives. Foster reported some additional details he gathered to the Greene County Commission.
“I did learn of several areas that funding opportunities could be utilized toward, including community gardens,” Foster said. “The application did list vaccination clinics, mental health support services and there are some facility maintenance needs, so there are some additional opportunities for that organization.”
Dixon said he is glad the county commissioners and the Greene County ARPA Advisory Council were deliberate and put a great deal of thought into the applications and the funding. Russell agreed.
“I certainly appreciate the citizen advisory council pouring hours and hours of their time into these recommendations, and I certainly weigh their recommendations very, very heavily,” Russell said.
Dixon recommended a 50-percent funding allotment of $10,000 (down from $20,000) for the GLO Center and the 100-percent allotment of $9,900 for the Men’s Chorus of the Ozarks. He recommended some stipulations, which the commission and the ARPA Advisory Council has done on other nonprofit funding recommendations.
“I would like to see us consider designating those funds for specific purposes, specific adult purposes which are listed on the applications,” Dixon said. “I would like to see us designate funds for facility supplies, maintenance costs, staff salaries and hosting vaccine clinics and education, including costs associated with promoting awareness and increasing vaccine acceptance.”
Who got money this time
Dixon also recommended funding for Recovery Chapel to purchase a minivan to take clients to appointments.
“The council did significantly decrease the approved amount as opposed to the application, so that was $35,000,” Dixon said.
Finally, Dixon recommended funding for three nonprofit groups whose applications for funding were not recommended by the ARPA Advisory Council. Dixon supported these groups because they are organizations that combat homelessness and conduct job training operations, he said.
The commission voted to dole out $250,000 for Victory Mission to put new water lines throughout its building, $120,000 for City Reach Church to hire two counselors and buy a vehicle, $475,712 for the Salvation Army for care at its Harbor House men’s shelter and its Family Enrichment Center.
Dozens of small businesses have also received economic recovery funding through a similar application and review process. The county commission put together its ARPA Advisory Council to screen applications and recommend projects, both in the small business and nonprofit sectors.
“I cannot let the moment go by without adding this: none of these funds have been paid for by the taxpayer yet, and so I think it’s prudent for us to just bear that in mind,” Dixon said. “For those who have applied and not been recommended or have not been funded to this point, we are very appreciative of the work that the organizations do, but we will pay for these federal funds in one way or the other, whether that’s in the grocery store through prices or through taxation. It’s been a difficult task.”
A total of 49 nonprofit groups, to date, have received more than $6.1 million in funds from Greene County. Of them, 28 received full funding as requested, and 21 received part of what they asked for.
