DuPage conservation group gets new funding life
Though its funding from DuPage County was once in doubt, a Glen Ellyn-based conservation group learned Tuesday that it’ll get county funds for at least 18 more months, while the nonprofit looks for new sources of revenue.
The county’s contract with Schools and Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education, or SCARCE, was set to expire June 30, due to a lack of funds in the county’s economic development and planning fund.
But on Tuesday, the county board unanimously voted to approve a new $195,000 contract with the group to provide environmental education services. It’ll be funded by transferring money from the county’s general fund, preserving SCARCE’s county funding through at least Nov. 30, 2013.
The board also voted to renew another contract with SCARCE for water quality education services for $70,000 — a $9,500 increase. That agreement runs through May 31, 2013.
Established in 1990, the organization hosts recycling events and assists schools and businesses on green initiatives. The county provides a significant portion of the group’s $325,000 annual budget.
County Board member Dirk Enger said the group’s impact on the county is “immeasurable” — from its recycling programs that keep materials out of landfills, to facilitating a donation of 42 microscopes from one school to another that was in need.
“This is probably the best money we could spend in this county since I’ve been on the board for 3 1/2 years,” Enger said. “I hope after this 18 months that we continue to support this organization. (These contracts) should have had the option to renew. We’ll look at it in 18 months. After seeing the return we get, it’s money well spent.”
SCARCE founder and Executive Director Kay McKeen said she was pleased with the funding arrangement approved by the board.
“I’m ready to go to work,” she said.