Nine community organizations will each receive $40,000 through a grant program backed by Washtenaw County and the City of Ann Arbor, funding work that ranges from food access and shelter services to immigrant rights and youth programming.

The grants, totaling $360,000, come from the New Human Services Partnership's Mini Grant Program, now in its fourth year. The Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development announced the awards Monday, Aug. 3.

All nine received equal funding.

The recipients, reported by MLive, are: Family Learning Center, Girls Group, Kayla's Kitchen, Manchester Community Resource Center, Our House, Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, Ypsilanti District Library, Ypsilanti Housing Commission and Washtenaw Interfaith Council for Immigration Rights.

Each grant runs 12 months and is meant to give smaller organizations room to test new ideas and build partnerships with other agencies.

"Washtenaw County is grateful for our collaboration with the City of Ann Arbor," OCED Director Toni Kayumi said in the Aug. 3 announcement. "Without their leadership and financial support, we would not be able to award as many NHSP grants to our nonprofit partners, who are serving residents throughout our community."

How recipients were chosen

A panel of community volunteers reviewed applications, the county said. Volunteers brought relevant expertise and community knowledge to the process. Their recommendations went to the NHSP Leadership Team, which includes elected officials and administrative staff from both the city and county, before the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners voted final approval.

The program targets organizations with budgets under $1 million that address poverty, racism and trauma as root causes of inequity in Washtenaw County, according to program documents. A stated goal is for at least 60% of funded groups to be led by someone who holds underrepresented identities among the county's human services leaders.

Who the grants serve

Recipients span the county. The Ypsilanti District Library and Ypsilanti Housing Commission serve the east side, Manchester Community Resource Center covers the western rural stretch, and organizations like the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County and Washtenaw Interfaith Council for Immigration Rights work countywide.

Residents and organizations interested in the program can visit washtenaw.org/NHSP or email Human Services Policy Specialist Nicole Kennedy at [email protected].