El Paso County staff on Sept. 18 told the Commissioner's Court that outreach to area nonprofits found a need for nonfinancial support services—particularly grant-writing help, fundraising consultation and volunteer recruitment.

Ramon Bracamontes, who led the outreach project, said the county compiled a list of 200 nonprofits, confirmed 143 were active and sent 75 surveys in October and 68 more in March and April. He told commissioners many smaller organizations did not respond because they lack time and primarily want funding, while larger nonprofits already partner with the county and the Community Foundation.

On needs, Bracamontes said the top responses were assistance with grant applications, fundraising consultation and human-resources support; among “other” responses nonprofits asked for volunteer recruitment help, donated supplies and assistance finding corporate partners to provide ongoing support. “The top 1 was, how to fill out grant applications,” Bracamontes said.

County Administrator Betsy Keller and commissioners suggested next steps: share the survey results with regional foundations to see which services already exist and send an informational follow-up to the 143 nonprofits listing available resources. Commissioner discussion also focused on volunteer referrals; a commissioner asked whether the county’s volunteer coordinator could help match volunteers to nonprofits, and Bracamontes said the county could “pull that together.”

Court members requested staff follow up with foundations and compile a regularly updated list of nonprofits that accept volunteers and can be referred to residents and county employees.

Ending: Staff said they will return with suggested coordination steps and resources after outreach to foundations and completion of a volunteer-referral list.