Agenda Item Wording:
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Nonprofit Grant Program Recommendations Modifications. Report by the Citizens Advisory Committee on the Nonprofit Grant Program and recommendations for modifications to the program for the 2025 Grant Program Year.
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Deadline for Action: 9/16/2024
Submitting Department: Finance and Technology Services
Contact Name and Phone Number: Alana Johnson, CAC Non-Profit Grant Subcommittee Chair; Ruth Pena, Financial Analyst, 559-713-4327, ruth.pena@visalia.city
Department Recommendation:
That the City Council receive the report by the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) on the Nonprofit Grant Program and recommendations for modifications to the program for the 2025 Grant Program Year and provide direction to the CAC.
Background Discussion:
The Council previously directed the Citizens Advisory Committee to administer the nonprofit grant process and make recommendations. The City awards annual youth grants aimed at supporting Visalia's youth through nonprofit led programs. Nonprofit organizations submit applications that are first reviewed by a Citizens Advisory Committee subcommittee. The subcommittee then makes recommendations to the CAC as a whole, which are then taken to the City Council for approval.
The applicants and their programs are quite varied in number of youth served, types of programs, and ages targeted. One of the main areas of focus for the subcommittee was the potential impact each program has, which can be measured in a number of different ways. A cost-effective program allows more youth to be served, but not all impacts are created equal, particularly when making a quantity versus quality argument. Some programs provided for one-on-one mentorship, or similar situations where positive relationships are being forged that one could imagine has the ability to not only support a Visalia youth, but also has the potential to influence a family and strengthen a community. The subcommittee also looked at whether similar services or opportunities exist elsewhere in Visalia. Additionally, the subcommittee also gave particular attention to new or “seed” programs in an effort to encourage new youth programs in Visalia.
Proposed Change:
Currently, the CAC is recommending adding the following question to the application (Attachment 1 - page 5):
11. Will the program have sufficient resources to operate if the desired grant amount is only partially funded? How would a partially funded award affect your program outcomes?
Other Items Discussed:
In the future, the CAC would like to return to a fiscal program year (July through June), rather than the current calendar year. This would coincide with the school year and may help programs be more successful, as suggested by a member of the public at the Council meeting held on December 18, 2023.
The members also discussed traveling sports teams. At this time, the CAC is not recommending specifically eliminating these types of organizations on the application; however, applications will be reviewed and weighted on the basis of the population of youth that is the target of the grant.
The CAC is requesting feedback from the City Council on the administration of the Nonprofit Grant Program. If the proposed question is approved, the grant application will be released at the beginning of October. Workshops will be held in October and the application process will close in November.
Prior Awards and Revisions to Application:
In 2024, the City awarded 11 grants, totaling $65,000. Attachment 2 shows the grant award history from 2013 through 2024. The last major revision to the funding process was approved at the June 3, 2019 Council meeting. Several changes to the grant process and application were made at that time (Attachment 3).
Fiscal Impact:
The annual budget for this grant program was increased by $10,000 in the 2024/25 & 25/26 Budget. This increase brings the total annual budget to $75,000.
Prior Council Action: Approval of the current grant funding application process was on June 3, 2019.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Council has the discretion to make alternative changes to the program.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to approve the recommended change to the grant application (with any revisions directed by Council).
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: 1) Grant Award History 2013-2024; 2) Report and Recommendations to City Council - June 3, 2019; 3) Proposed 2025 Grant Application; 4) PowerPoint Presentation.