Forsyth County has budgeted $435,000 in 2012 grant money for local nonprofit agencies working with juveniles in the court system.

Figures presented at a recent meeting of the social services committee showed that the organizations are requesting more than $633,000.

The committee, which recommends funding allocations to the county commission, will review the applications from a dozen local agencies in the next couple weeks to determine how much, if any, money will go to each nonprofit.

The five-member panel will meet again at 10 a.m. Feb. 20.

Commissioner Jim Boff, who serves on the committee, was surprised to see such a large percentage increase in what agencies requested in funding for 2012 compared to what they received in 2011.

He wondered if the increase could be chalked up to the unstable economy.

Commissioner Patrick Bell, also on the committee, asked that staff return with figures on what agencies requested in 2011 versus 2012.

"They might be asking for the same amount, and we just didn’t give it to them," he said.

Of the dozen groups applying for 2012, just two did not receive a grant in 2011, in which $407,000 was distributed.

The largest amount in 2011, totaling $130,000, went to the Department of Family and Children Services, which has received county funding since before the committee was put in place.

"It really is designed not to be funding for every nonprofit out there. It is designed to help the court system administer some of their programs," said Bell, who helped start the group in 2009.

Chairwoman Nicole Morgan said the grant funding helps nonprofits "out of the typical realm of counseling and traditional resources."

Returning applicants that received funding in 2011 include: Child Advocacy Center; Family Haven; the Bald Ridge Lodge; New Hope Counseling; Jessie’s House; Mentor Me; Court Appointed Special Advocates; Children’s Center for Hope and Healing; and Supporting Adoption and Foster Families Together.

The committee seeks a variety of information in evaluating the applications, including: financial statements; services provided; number of residents served; other funding sources; and basic operation methods.

The organizations also submit quarterly funding reports on how the money is being used.