Prince William County To Change Nonprofit Funding Process

Prince William County in Virginia unveiled Thursday a new process that will change the way that nonprofits receive funding.

According to a report in The Washington Post, budget director Michelle Casciato announced a process that is designed to be more transparent and make nonprofits more accountable. Organizations would have to submit their public tax returns to the county, sign a "memorandum of understanding," and file audited financial statements. To be approved for funding, its activities must directly support the goals of county departments. Finally, if a group wants to re-apply for funding, it must submit a list of goals accomplished in the previous year.

These changes come after Prince William County's funding procedures came under heavy scrutiny. After the allocation of discretionary funds to nonprofits were criticized as using taxpayer money for political gain, the practice was banned in June. And this month, the Board of County Supervisors rejected a proposal from Supervisor Peter K. Candland (R-Gainesville) that would have required board members and their spouses to reveal any involvement with nonprofits.

The funding changes announced could potentially impact organizations that have historically received funding from the county, Casciato said, so groups should not expect to be approved automatically.

“We continue to become more clear . . . in terms of what the organizations expect from us and what we expect from organizations,” she said.

You can read the full story in The Washington Post.