Next presents financial updates to commission

By Grace Lovins

Next senior services, Birmingham’s long-standing senior services provider, reported a solid financial standing during the Monday, June 9, city commission meeting and as part of the organization’s financial update to the city, the group presented its finances and plans for strategic growth over the next three years.

Next executive director Cris Braun,told the commission that the organization has served the community for the last 47 years, since 1978. Reporting the non-profit’s financials for the 2023-2024 budget year, Braun explained that Next served the community with a total revenue of $1,262,252 for the year.

Next’s finances show the organization relied heavily on in-kind support from Birmingham Public Schools as well as a mix of grants and planned giving to fund their operations. Braun said the organization’s expenses mostly go toward the operations and facility space.

Over the course of the next three years, Braun said Next aims to expand program offerings by five percent annually, increase its grant applications by 30 percent, bring on two to three new sponsors each year and adjust membership rates and fee-based programs upwards of five percent annually.

City commissioner Clinton Baller stressed that the commission needs to see more forward-looking financial planning as the city may invest more into the organization. “If we are going to support this organization even more going forward, I’d like to be confident that you’ve looked at the future and that you’re prepared financially to deal with it,” he said.

During discussions, city commissioner Andrew Haig also encouraged Next to aim for higher per capita funding contributions from the surrounding communities Next serves. Currently, Birmingham contributes at a higher rate than its neighboring communities.

No formal action was taken by the commission as the report was an update on Next’s financial standing.