Item:
Title
Approve Durham County Matching Grants Program Recipients for FY 2025-26 Grant Cycle in the Amount of $100,000
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: February 9, 2026
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to approve funding for five projects totaling $100,000 under the current cycle of the Durham County Matching Grants Program. Now in its 35th year, this program provides matching funds to local non-profits for projects that protect open space or offer recreational opportunities for Durham County residents. All funded projects must be open to the public. The program is funded annually through the County’s operating budget, which allocates $100,000 for FY25-26. Applicants must provide a 50% match, which may include cash contributions and the value of volunteer labor. Since its inception, the program has supported 135 community projects with a combined value of over $6.3 million, leveraging just over $2.2 million in County matching funds.)
The 2025-26 cycle of the Matching Grants Program includes five recommended projects that total $100,000. The Durham Open Space and Trails Commission (DOST) recommended approval of the projects at their meeting on January 21st, 2026. The recommended recipients are: Central Park School for Children $24,000; Urban Community Agrinomics, $24,455; El Futuro, $18,500; Historic Stagville, $23,045; and Unique Places to Save, $10,000. The projects are further described in the supplemental document, with locations shown on the accompanying map.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: This program supports Goal 2 of the strategic plan, “Health and Well-being for All” by increasing the quality of life in Durham County, as well as Goal 4: Environmental Stewardship and Community Prosperity”.
Resource Persons: Brendan Moore, Open Space Land Manager; Orlando Watson, DOST Commissioner and Matching Grants Committee Member
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends the Board approve funding for five projects totaling $100,000 under the current cycle of the Durham County Matching Grants Program
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________