The column previously published "What Criteria Followed by Shreveport City Council for Funding NGOs'" lists the non-governmental organizations, all of which are non-profits, that have received funding by the Shreveport City Council since 2022.
Many of these received city money for more than one year, and several for all four years counting 2025.
There has never been any public disclosure by most of the NGOs And not surprisingly public records requests to these entities are generally ignored.
One of the Cooperative Endeavor Agreements (CEA) executed this year does not list how the $25,000 to be expended. The CEA only lists its mission statement: "to uplift the community through empowerment, employment and community engagement while providing necessary resources to those in need".
Another NGO has a mission statement "to highlight, celebrate and commemorate the culture of Black Art through Fashion, Art, Music and Entertainment." The $20,000 grant from the Council is to be utilized for one big party, complete with 200 canvas totes ($1,464), green turf rental for $3,900, $1,523 for 4 event banners, and $8,000 for local music artists.
Each of these CEAs has a standard provision that COULD provide some accountability:
"AGENCY (the NGO) shall, upon request, provide City's Chief Administrative Officer with a report describing the activities of the organization conducted during the funding year with the funds provided by City pursuant to this Agreement."
The CEA also requires record keeping for three years. The CEA provides that
"All such records and supporting documentation shall be made readily available, upon request, for inspection or audit by representatives of CITY..."
The CEAs for years of NGO funding in 2022, 2023, and 2024 have not yet been requested. It can be assumed that similar language was contained in those CEAs for prior years.
Additionally, not all to the CEAs for 2025 NGO funding have been executed and not all that have been executed have been requested, One can assume that all of the CEAS for 2025 funding have the same disclosure requirements as set forth above.
Thus, requests could be made for prior funding and for review of the records. This could be a considerable administrative burden, but it certainly needs to be accomplished. If not there is no accountability for the expenditure of public funds.