D.C. Mayor Drops $15-Million Grant Fund From 2015 Budget

Facing a cash shortfall, Washington, D.C., Mayor Vincent Gray’s administration has pulled a fledgling $15-million grant pot for local nonprofits from its fiscal year 2015 budget plan, writes the Washington Business Journal.

The City Fund, launched this budget year with $15-million from District coffers, supports programs to diversify the city’s economy, train workers, and improve quality of life. The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region, which administers the fund, announced the first round of grants last month.

Mr. Gray had allocated another $15-million for the fund in his next spending plan, but city Budget Director Eric Goulet told D.C. Council members at a hearing last week that the money would be used for other purposes, including paying back recently tapped city cash reserves. The mayor put the City Fund at the top of a budget wish list of 21 items that could be funded if finance officials forecast sufficient revenue.