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Anaheim, CA 92805
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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
DATE: JULY 15, 2025
FROM: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF FUNDING FOR ANAHEIM CONTIGO
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): NO ITEM # 18
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
REQUESTED ACTION:
That the City Council, by Motion:
1. Consider approving an allocation of up to $250,000 from existing allocated funds for Anaheim Contigo for emergency grants to impacted families and others through the Anaheim Community Foundation; and
2. If approved, authorize the City Manager, or their designee, to make payments to the Anaheim Community Foundation in amounts corresponding to the emergency assistance grant applications that have been verified and approved on a bi-weekly basis.
DISCUSSION:
Mayor Ashleigh Aitken initiated this agenda item to consider allocating up to $250,000 to the Anaheim Contigo fund for emergency assistance grants to help address impacts to neighborhoods, families and businesses across Anaheim.
The Anaheim Contigo fund was launched on June 17, 2025, to support families and others unable to work, go on essential outings and also struggling to afford rent, buy groceries and other household essentials or pay their electric and water utility bills.
The fund is operated by the Anaheim Community Foundation (ACF), a 501(c)(3) publicly supported nonprofit. Emergency assistance grants are funded based on applications made through the Human Services staff at Anaheim’s Family Resource Centers: Ponderosa Park and Family Resource Center, Miraloma Park and Family Resource Center, the Downtown Anaheim Family Resource Center and Anaheim’s Mobile Family Resource Centers that visit neighborhoods each week.
Consideration of Funding for Anaheim Contigo
July 15, 2025
Working through Anaheim’s Family Resource Centers allows the Contigo Fund to take advantage of existing connections with families and ensures grants are going to Anaheim applicants most impacted.
The Anaheim Contigo fund currently has $15,000 in received and committed donations from individuals and organizations. As of July 10, 2025, $3,181.24 in seven emergency assistance grants have been issued to Anaheim residents, made up $2,000 in rent assistance and $1,181.24 in electric and water utility assistance.
Payments are targeted and made directly to landlords, Anaheim Public Utilities and other identified, independent recipients. For groceries and other essential needs, ACF is working with stores and pantries.
Anaheim Community Services has a list of 133 Anaheim residents applying for assistance, with 43 in the process of being assisted and 90 recent applicants waiting to be served.
If approved, funding would allow the program to expand its support by reimbursing costs and providing referrals for mental health services. The city will make payments to the Anaheim Community Foundation in amounts corresponding to the emergency assistance grant applications that have been verified and approved on a bi-weekly basis.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Should Council approve this item, funding would come from already allocated budgets across City departments through a temporary reprioritization of spending.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Vanderpool
City Manager