Up to $100k in city grants available for Winter Park nonprofits via proposed new process
Like many local governments, Winter Park has long supported local organizations, including $1 million to the Dr. Phillips Center. Now it’s looking to formalize how it selects which nonprofits receive money
Feb. 18, 2025
By Beth Kassab
Winter Park nonprofits will be able to compete for a slice of the $100,000 in public funds previously designated each year for the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts under a new process likely to be established this spring.
Commissioners agreed at a workshop last week to form a committee made of volunteer members from other city advisory boards to review and rank applications for $10,000 grants of the available funds.
The city paid $1 million to the arts center in Orlando over 10 years and made its final payment last year.
A new committee process, which is likely to come before the City Commission next month, is the result of months of discussion over how to set clear and fair parameters for disbursing the money to local nonprofits now that the $100,000 each year is available for other uses.
The city’s current policy calls for 0.25% of revenues from the General Fund, Water & Wastewater fund and Electric fund or about $420,000 each year to be dedicated to supporting local nonprofits. It’s not uncommon for cities and counties to use a portion of their budgets to help local service and arts and culture groups.
Under the plan, six nonprofits that have existed as a line item in the city budget for years would remain there and be “grandfathered in” rather than be part of the competitive process.
Those organizations and their current allocations are:
United Arts: $19,000
Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens: $27,000
Winter Park Day Nursery: $41,000
Mead Botanical Garden: $98,000
Winter Park History Museum: $93,000
Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts: $12,000
Two other groups are included in this year’s budget but will not be grandfathered in: Men of Integrity at $18,000 and the Winter Park Institute at $25,000.
Kathy Ramsberger, CEO of the Dr. Phillips Center in downtown Orlando, appeared at last week’s commission meeting to report on the venue’s work so far and ask for more dollars in the future. Winter Park contributed $1 million to the $625 million project, which now includes the Walt Disney Theater, Steinmetz Hall, the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater and Judson’s Live (pictured above). She talked about plans to build an additional 750-seat theater and other spaces such as an outdoor amphitheater.
Mayor Sheila DeCiccio told Ramsberger at the end of the presentation that the commission could potentially discuss the arts center when the city’s annual budget talks begin this summer.
DeCiccio told the Voice that the arts center would be required to apply through the new process, if it’s approved, just as any other nonprofit would be asked to do.
At the workshop commissioners appeared supportive of requiring the groups seeking grants to be based in Winter Park.
Commissioner Craig Russell questioned why the focus appeared to be on arts and culture rather than social service organizations.
Peter Moore, director of the city’s management and budget department, said the reason is because the social services category is so large.
“That’s OK,” Russell said. “There is a significant need.”
Russell, a Winter Park High School teacher and coach who runs a nonprofit aimed at needy students and families, said he would never apply for the dollars because of his role on the commission, but noted the good the dollars could potentially do in that sector.
Moore said the grant program could be revised to more explicitly include education and social service missions.
The commission is set to consider a formal proposal on the new grant process in March.
WinterParkVoiceEditor@gmail.com
Sending WP money to Dr. Phillips makes no sense to me when the tourist tax is so bountiful…
Why a committee made up of members of other city advisory boards? Why not a separate committee of community members?
Good question. This is what was proposed by staff. From the discussion, it seemed like the thought was that since the people have already agreed to be volunteers and were vetted, then they could also take on this task since it would likely just be a few meetings during budget season (not all year long). At least that was my understanding. And the proposal could certainly change as it comes before the commission for formal approval.
That an excellent point one would that think that minimizing how .any boards you can serve on would eliminate Unfair preferential
Using taxpayer’s money to fund arts projects in our community when our roads are in a horrible state makes no sense. And now one of our commissioners thinks a property tax hike is necessary. WRONG!
Thank you for reading and commenting. I just want to add some context: many of the most congested roads in Winter Park are owned and controlled by the state of Florida, not the city. The city is actively working with the state on SR 426, for example. So it’s not as simple as a choice between roads and arts. There are choices, to be sure. But the lines aren’t always as clear as they may seem.
I am aware of the state-owned streets. But, I am talking about Lakemont Ave, Temple, and the brick (tree) streets. The curbs are crumbling on some of these as well. There are also other areas throughout the city that need attention, as well. For example the broken arbor structure on N. Park Ave and Park Grove that has been taped off for a few months now. This is what should get priority over non-profits;
You make a valid point
I do not care if it’s arts or social services or whatever. What I’m most interested in, is funding is non-profits that actually spend the MAJORITY of their donations on the intended recipients.
Hmm I commend you and respect your support. I also agree. As a art major, a supporter of non profit, and a community organizer.
I believe both arts and social services are valuable and support each other.
For example I’m a creative I do not have a non profit however I see need in my community so I create ideas to fullfill the need and organize partners and supporters. To help the vision of the need be fulfilled. Everyone is receiving.
Without creativity and arts most ideas would not come about.
You are right the funds should be distributed for what is was intended for. Anything else I believe is illegal.
I’m not sure
I’d rather give the money to any non-profit before the Dr. Phillips. I love the programming, no complaints there. However it is operationally just not well managed. The valet situation? Let’s just say I switched my subscription to the parking garage. I now tromp through City Hall, brave Orange Ave and hike across the lawn. I either turn into a hot sweaty mess or get rained on regularly. No wonder you see so many guys in tshirts and gals in bedazzled flip flops and jeans. Food in the Donor’s area was laughable. Hopefully it has improved since I was last there. Food for the Plebes downstairs is worse. Odiferous and stale truffle popcorn, gummy bears even my grandkids don’t like, and trail mix with espresso beans in it (the grandkids didn’t like those either but they sure didn’t get sleepy that night). Drinks at least are a very generous pour for the high price tag. Isn’t there a kitchen in this building? Weren’t there supposed to be food vendor stalls out on the lawn area? Kathy Ramsburger, please work on the customer experience a bit, thank you.
Dr Phillips should have PLENTY of cash. Why WP would subsidize Dr Phillips (with likely exorbitant G&A expenses) while there are non-profits providing needed social services with low G&A expenses is beyond me. I did not vote for him, but I’m with Russel on this one. Just vet the non-profits books first. Lots of overpaid people pretending to be altruistic in non-profits these days.