The recent oversight by the Sundance Institute, which resulted in a missed grant application deadline, highlights a critical need for improvement in how Summit County manages its services.
Having navigated the complexities of grant management as the former executive director of the Park City Institute, I understand how such administrative challenges can significantly impact our community’s valuable programs.
Summit County disburses over $1.6 million through the RAP and restaurant tax grants to community partners. Despite this significant financial investment, the application and management processes rely on outdated methods, with manual submissions and tracking. This burdens applicants and places undue strain on county staff and committee members who administer and review these grants.
The weakness of this outdated system was illustrated when Sundance, amid staff changes and an adjusted deadline, failed to secure a grant that supports essential local community programs for our students.
This situation could have been prevented with a more streamlined and responsive grant management system.
Sundance is not alone in missing a deadline. Park City Institute missed a reporting deadline when the county neglected to send reporting reminders to grant recipients in a previous grant cycle.
Summit County has an opportunity to embrace technological advancements in service management that could yield considerable benefits to all stakeholders. By implementing a web-based grant management software, the county can enhance efficiency, improve transparency, and save time and money.
Such platforms simplify the application process, making it easier for organizations to submit and track their applications in real time. They also provide a dashboard that offers clear visibility into the status of applications, deadlines, and reporting requirements.
By modernizing the grant application process, we can invest in the success of our nonprofits, ensuring a broader distribution of funds across community projects.
Automated alerts and reminders within these systems help prevent missed deadlines, secure funding for vital programs, and avoid unexpected financial shortfalls.
Moreover, easier application processes would foster stronger relationships between the county and grant recipients, creating a collaborative environment that supports community development.
The challenge faced by the Sundance Institute is an opportunity for Summit County to review the delivery of critical services.
By adopting proven best practices for services such as grant management, we can prevent future oversights and enhance the delivery of all county services.
Let’s equip Summit County with the tools it needs to manage public funds effectively, ensuring our community continues to thrive. This move toward modernization isn’t just about improving administrative efficiency; it’s an investment in the resilience and prosperity of our community, ensuring that Summit County remains a place where culture, recreation, and public welfare flourish.
Ari Ioannides is a candidate for the Summit County Council.