Agency Request Review Committee

Mission
The mission of the Hinesburg Agency Request Review Committee is to review and evaluate funding requests and make funding recommendations to the Select Board during the annual budgeting process.

Statement of Purpose
Each year, the Town of Hinesburg receives numerous requests for funding from agencies that provide programs for prevention, intervention, advocacy, and direct services to the residents of our community. The intent of the Agency Request Review Committee is to ensure that our taxpayer dollars will benefit the greatest number of residents possible, with priority given to agencies that provide food, shelter, health and emergency services, and with additional consideration given to Hinesburg-based agencies.

The reports received from agencies, and their annual requests, indicate that while we are achieving our goal of assisting our community members who are in need, that need is still with us and likely to increase. The committee hopes to continue Hinesburg’s longstanding tradition of community agency support.

Recent History
We have recommended distributions in the $27,000 – $28,000 range to a dozen or so agencies over the past few years, trying to avoid increases to taxpayers while supporting many essential services and programs for townspeople in crisis or in need. The average share from each citizen is typically $6-$8 per person. While we have no precise way of knowing outcomes – many of the services provided are confidential, as they should be – we know that, in these continuing times of need, a support network may make a huge difference in a person or a family’s well-being.

Mutual aid in times of need is the hallmark of true community.

Five member committee. Committee members serve 3-year terms