Karyn Moskowitz with chef Sasha Chack at a 2016 Fresh Stop Market at The J. Moskowitz called Louisville Metro Council’s $70,000 budget allocation to New Roots “awesome,” but said more fundraising must be done. (Community photo)
The head of New Roots, the Louisville-based nonprofit that addresses food security through its Fresh Stop Markets, said she was “thrilled” by the $70,000 allocation it received in Metro Louisville’s new budget.
But founder and Executive Director Karyn Moskowitz said the organization must still do significant fundraising to meet its operational needs in the coming year.
“We’re halfway there,” Moskowitz said. “What we’ll do right now is look to a grassroots fundraising campaign from individuals and corporations to try to match that.”
Louisville Metro Council approved its new budget Tuesday by a 21-3 vote. In addition to New Roots, the spending plan includes $200,000 for Dare to Care, another NPO that addresses food security in the city’s neighborhoods.
Moskowitz had asked for $100,000 in addition to $20,000 she expected to receive in External Agency Funds (EAF) to make up for a loss of support from the Humana Foundation.
EAF awards grants to nonprofit organizations offering programs or services that advance the long-range vision and goals of Louisville Metro.
New Roots’ allocation includes $50,000 on top of the EAF allocation, totaling $70,000.
While it’s not everything she asked for, Moskowitz said she is “thrilled that that Metro Council is investing in food justice and food security.”
“This is awesome,” she added.
Turning to other ways to raise money, New Roots will take part in the Community Foundation of Louisville’s “Give for Good Louisville,” a day of local giving slated for September 13. Moskowitz hopes to raise another $50,000 at that time.
“It’s a big, audacious goal,” she said, “but we’re going to try.”
She also plans to reapply to the Humana Foundation during its next round of grantmaking, assuming New Roots meets the qualifications.