City Representative Questions $275,000 Funding For Nonprofit

An El Paso city representative is wondering whether taxpayers are getting the most for their money when it comes to local nonprofit, Project ARRIBA.

The group provides training and education opportunities for low-income El Pasoans in an effort to help them land higher-paying jobs, mostly in medical fields.

During a recent city budget hearing, District 3 Representative Emma Acosta said she is hesitant to give Project ARRIBA with $275,264 for fiscal year 2012 because, in her view, the group does not do enough fundraising of its own.

“I am not ready to support (the money),” she told her fellow council members.

According to the city manager’s office, Project ARRIBA’s funding would come from the city’s general fund as well as a community development block grant.

Project ARRIBA CEO Roman Ortiz admitted to ABC-7 that his group does not yet have what he refers to as a “signature fundraising event,” like a 5K walk.

But Ortiz said his group does do plenty of fundraising in the form of securing state and federal grants, along with donations from the private sector.

He said that is where the city sees a return on its investment.

“We return that money by getting people off welfare and getting them into gainful employment for in-demand occupations here in this region,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz said the city’s contribution makes up roughly 23 percent of Project ARRIBA’s yearly operating budget and helps the nonprofit snag matching funds from the state.

“If (the state) sees that the local government is behind this organization, then it makes a better case for them to support it.”

Acosta was unavailable for comment Wednesday. A member of her staff told ABC-7 she is out of town on a personal matter.

The El Paso City Council is expected to vote on a final budget in late August.