1. Human Services Fund Mid-Term Progress: 2017 Grantee Reports Review City of Bainbridge Island
Leslie Silverman
The Giving Practice
July 2018

2. Background
On an annual basis, the City of Bainbridge Island provides significant financial support to local nonprofit organizations to support human services programs in the community.
The City uses a two-year funding cycle to solicit proposals from local non-profits seeking City funding for human services activities that serve the residents of Bainbridge Island.
The Human Services Funding Advisory Committee (HSFAC), comprised of a diverse group of volunteers residing in the area who bring a range of community knowledge and experiences, review funding proposals and develop a recommendation. This recommendation is submitted to the City Council for consideration and approval.

3. 2017 to 2018 Funding Cycle
In late 2016, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Human Services Funding. The HSFAC developed a funding recommendation which the City Council approved on December 13, 2016.

4. Reporting Expectations: As defined in the HSF Contract
Summarize the activities undertaken in providing the approved scope of services.
Reference the project objectives identified in the proposal. Were those objectives achieved? Why or why not? Were there unexpected positive outcomes or challenges?
Reference the specific measurable results identified in the project proposal. Were they achieved? If not, what challenges prevented the achievement of the anticipated results? How many Bainbridge Island residents were served? Are the conditions for those residents generally improving or worsening? Please explain.
Describe the involvement of any partners identified in the approved project, as well as any unexpected cooperative relationships that developed through implementation of the project. Did the City funding help you attract additional funding or other types of support?
Provide an analysis of actual expenses and income in relation to projected budget.
Provide a short description of how City funding has helped your organization or helped the community.
What recommendations, if any, do you have regarding future funding cycles?

5. 2017 Annual Grantee Reports: Progress to Date
Of the 13 grantees funded for grant term, most are on track in carrying out their activities and meeting their approved objectives.
Note: In late 2017, SMILE Partners experienced staff turnover and budget constraints leading to the local affiliate office closing its doors.

6. 2017 Annual Grantee Progress: Themes
The grantees on track or exceeding projected goals thrived in the following areas:
Expanding range and diversity of partners
Special Needs Foundation has partnered with newly opened BI CrossFit, who provides weekly class offerings to Special Needs participants.
BI Child Care Centers partnering with School District’s Developmental Pre-school by offering afterschool transportation (shuttle) from pre-school to BICCC and afterschool one-to-one programming.
Boys and Girls Club partnering with Peacock Family Services, with which they have collaborated on joint staff trainings.
Island Volunteer Caregivers has fostered a cooperative relationship with the Fire Department has helped to identify vulnerable and isolated persons in our community who could benefit from IVC support, help get smoke detectors in homes and do community outreach presentations on emergency preparedness for vulnerable populations
Building / strengthening internal capacity (staff and/or systems)
BI Senior Community Center was able to apply funding to compensate two managers for their Thrift Shop resulting in steady and reliable operations and a record year in revenue earned (34% increase over prior year’s revenue).
BI Child Care Centers provided staff training in the areas of special needs to better assist their families served.

7. 2017 Annual Grantee Progress: Themes (continued)
The grantees on track or exceeding projected goals thrived in the following areas:
Raising community awareness
A number of grantees are coordinating events and activities with business and recreational programs to engage more community members and or support other community events
Bainbridge Youth Services have been building a social media presence and e-newsletter
Inter-agency support and peer exchanges
BI Child Care Centers, Bainbridge Youth Services, Boys and Girls Club, Special Needs Foundation, YWCA- Alive program, and HRB meet and work together to coordinate and communicate about their service offerings and how best to respond to changes in the community.
Boys and Girls Club is collaborating with another agency to coordinate joint staff trainings (both a cost-effective and opportunity for peer learning exchanges)
The Housing Resources Solution Independent Living program has an ongoing relationship with Helpline House to provide stop gap measures and durable medical equipment to clients.
A new and somewhat unexpected partnership has been forged between the YWCA Kitsap County and the Bainbridge Island Senior Center. The Senior Center provides space for the YWCA weekly support group for seniors impacted by physical abuse in their lifetime.

8. Progress Report asks Grantees for Suggestions to HSF program:
“We appreciate the two-year COBI grant, which greatly reduces the amount of time required to prepare and present grant applications.” “We recommend that the City consider supporting essential, related social services such as the case management and mental health counseling that Helpline House provides to help families and individuals successfully stabilize when their lives are disrupted by catastrophic medical illness, divorce, job loss and other critical challenges.” “Now that the City has chosen a two-year funding cycle there can be no changes to the process or funding until late in We would like to see the ability to amend a grant amount if funds are available, to meet these critical needs of the community.” “Recommend there be consideration for carryover of year one funds into year two.” “Continue to prioritize domestic violence in future funding decisions. Domestic violence and homelessness continue to be identified as unmet needs on Bainbridge Island and throughout Kitsap County.”