CONSENT ITEM
E-14
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER
FROM: TALEEN NAZARIAN, MANAGEMENT ANALYST
DATE: SEPTEMBER 21, 2026
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF PUBLIC BENEFIT AND AWARD OF A CITY OF AZUSA
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP FOR THE AZUSA HIGH
SCHOOL JROTC PROGRAM
BACKGROUND:
The City’s Special Assistance Program was established to support local community-based organizations, non-profits and campus-recognized clubs that serve a public benefit to the community at-large. The Program has a set of guidelines and criteria for awarding financial assistance in the form of grants up to $500 to organizations that encourage youth enrichment programs and opportunities for Azusa residents.
The City receives funds for this program each year from the sale of ‘Safe and Sane Fireworks’, as each participating community and non-profit organization engaged in fireworks booth sales donates $500 as part of their vendor application. The proposed action will approve a Special Assistance Program application for expenditures in the amount of $500 for the Azusa High School Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) Program. These funds will offset costs for new uniforms along with transportation costs for educational field trips and competitions.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends that the City Council take the following actions:
1) Approve $500 of Special Assistance funds to the Azusa High School JROTC Program to offset program expenses; and
2) Make a finding that the community at large will receive a public benefit from the expenditure of funds for the recommended items.
ANALYSIS:
Community groups and organizations often request funding assistance from the City for special programs or services they provide to the community. The Special Assistance Program was designed for community Special Assistance Program – Azusa High School JROTC Program September 21, 2026
groups and organizations dedicated to providing educational enrichment opportunities to Azusa youth to create skilled and capable individuals in a variety of disciplines, and to financially assist community groups and organizations in developing programs diversifying experiences for the community or seeking participation in educational programs. Eligible community groups and organizations can apply for funding of up to $500.
The City received a $500 request from the Azusa High School JROTC Program to help offset rising costs for uniforms and transportation costs related to educational field trips and competitions. The JROTC program aims to help students build leadership and strong character skills, a commitment to community service, and a stronger academic drive. These funds will help to offset the costs that are often not included in the school’s budget for the JROTC program’s crucial elements and activities.
Staff recommends approval of the application and an expenditure of $500 in accordance with the Special Assistance Program guidelines. This action will approve a finding of public benefit and authorize the recommended $500 expenditure to the Azusa High School JROTC Program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Trust account 50-08-000-141-2718 was established to administer donations received from communitybased and non-profit organizations participating in the sale of “Safe and Sane Fireworks.” Funds in this account are reserved for eligible requests under the Special Assistance Program.
The current available balance is $29,847.06. Upon Council approval, staff will appropriate $500 from the trust account for the recommended award. Including the separate $500 Special Assistance Program award to Cub Scout Pack 777 also being considered on this agenda, the remaining balance will be $28,847.06.
There is no impact to the General Fund.
Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved by:
Taleen Nazarian Sergio Gonzalez
Management Analyst City Manager
Attachment:
1) Special Assistance Program Application submitted by the Azusa High School JROTC Program Special Assistance Program Application
The Special Assistance Program supports community-based organizations, non-profit organizations, and campus recognized clubs and organizations by offering financial assistance in order to provide enrichment opportunities to Azusa youth. For more information or questions about the Special Assistance Program, please contact Taleen Nazarian, Management Analyst in the City Manager’s Office, by calling 626-812- 5239 or by emailing [email protected].
General Information
Introduction
The Azusa City Council is committed to fostering education in the community by increasing opportunities for community based organizations and groups to further develop community programs for educational purposes. In addition, the program seeks to enrich community groups and organizations by providing funding assistance to support their participation in educational programs. The Special Assistance Program addresses the need to encourage enrichment opportunities among Azusa youth to create well rounded individuals.
Mission
The mission of the Special Assistance Program is to support community based organization non-profits and campus recognized clubs and organizations by providing financial assistance.
Vision
The vision of the Special Assistance Program is to provide enrichment opportunities to Azusa youth via participation in extracurricular programs in pursuit of becoming skilled and capable in a variety of disciplines.
Purpose
The Special Assistance Program has been developed to assist community based organizations and groups in the following:
Assist by providing funding assistance in developing a program that will diversify experiences for the community; Assist by providing funding assistance to support participation in educational programs such as extracurricular activities, sporting competitions, arts and cultural activities.
The Special Assistance Program is aimed at providing grant funding of up to $500. Applicants are required to demonstrate why they need the requested amount. Applicants must clearly identify and define the long term outcome advantage of the activities being funded and how the activities further enrich education and or learning. Special Assistance grants are offered throughout the year. However, applicants are restricted to one application per fiscal year per organization.
Qualifications
To be eligible to receive a Special Assistance grant the applicant must identify with ONE of the following groups:
Campus Recognized Club and/or Organization
Club or organization must be affiliated with an educational institution in the Azusa Unified School District.
Community Based Organization
A Community based organization non-profit proposing a program or services aimed at youth development, educational enrichment, arts and cultural activities, or the participation in a program for educational and/or community benefit purposes. Funds will not be disbursed to individuals. The organization must be organized under the Model Non-Profit Corporation Act and designated as an exempted organization as defined by Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c).
Requirements
If applicant organization is awarded funds to develop a program diversifying experiences for the community, the organization must provide evidence of how the funds were utilized to facilitate the developing of such program; OR If applicant’s organization is awarded funds to participate in an educational program, the organization must be able to provide sufficient details to the City about the program to ensure funds are disbursed directly to the sponsoring organization.
The City of Azusa WILL NOT consider applications for grant funding from any of the following:
A private individual for his/her own use;
A private for-profit entity or organization;
A political, politically affiliated or political action organization; Private/Parochial Schools; or
Organizations conducting programs that discriminate against individuals or groups based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age martial status, sexual orientation, gender expression, disability or political affiliation.
Disbursement of Funds
The City will disburse funds directly to the affiliated organization. Checks will not be made to individuals.
How much can I apply for?
The Special Assistance Program provides small grants of up to $500 per organization. Submitting an application does not guarantee that funding will be allocated and applications may not be funded in full. Applicants are restricted to one application per fiscal year per organization.
What will not be funded?
It is the City’s policy not to fund requests from applicants for services that are normally supported by general tax dollars, represent a duplication of services which the City already provides funding or where the request comes from an applicant requesting funds for a service in another community, which is a type of service Azusa already funds for itself. Specifically, the following requests will not be funded:
Requests for "start-up" costs, administrative costs, overhead costs, fund-raising costs, or other costs related to operating the initial service program for which the group was organized; Retrospective applications - if an event, service, activity or program takes place before the application is submitted it will not be considered for funding;
Requests for core staffing costs or utilities ;
Requests for monetary donations or grants programs;
Programs for the sole purpose of advocating a religious faith or belief; Celebrations for individuals; or
Requests from organizations to assist with a specific program or event which has received funding through another City of Azusa grant program in that fiscal year.
How are applications evaluated for funding?
In evaluating whether to award grant funding, the City Council may consider a combination of factors including, but not limited to:
1. The organization’s ability to identify and define the long term outcome advantage of the activities being funded;
2. How the organization’s participation in activities further stimulate scholarship;
3. Whether the applicant’s program directly benefits the community;
4. The organization's record of performance in providing similar services in the past;
5. Whether residents of Azusa are directly involved in the group/organization as members of the Board of Directors, program administrators or participants;
6. Sustainability of the organization; and
7. Demonstrated need for the assistance being requested.
How to Apply
Requests for Special Assistance grant funding are accepted throughout the year. Organizations applying for Special Assistance grant funding must complete a digital or paper application. The application may be downloaded from the City’s website at www.azusaca.gov/scholarships (http://www.azusaca.gov/scholarships). If you prefer to submit your grant application through mail or hand delivery, rather than digitally, please make it out to:
City of Azusa
City Manager’s Office
Attn: Special Assistance Program
213 E. Foothill Blvd
PO Box 1395
Azusa, California 91702
GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM CONDITIONS:
a. The City reserves the right to withdraw or cancel the Special Assistance Program at any time without prior notice. b. The City reserves the right to seek clarification of information submitted in response to the Special Assistance Program.
c. The City reserves the right to modify the Special Assistance Program as it deems necessary. d. Any material misrepresentations made by the applicant(s) will void the application and eliminate the applicant from further consideration.
e. The City reserves the right to take all reasonable and appropriate steps to recover diverted funds. *
Please check this box to confirm that you have read and fully understood the Special Assistance Program Description, Guidelines, and Application Requirements.
Application
Today's Date *
The applicant organization is requesting fund to:*
Please identify the program:*
Legal Name of Applicant Organization *
Contact Name *
Title/Position*
Mailing Address *
Email*
Phone Number*
Number of Paid Staff*
Number of Volunteers *
Year Organization Founded *
8/18/2026
Develop a program that will diversify experiences for the community Participate in an educational program such as extracurricular activities, sporting competitions, arts and cultural
AZUSA HIGH JROTC PROGRAM
Applicant Organization Information
AZUSA HIGH JROTC
SFC HENRY GRANADOS
TEACHER
City
AZUSA
State / Province / Region
CA
Postal / Zip Code
91702
Country
US
Street Address
240 N CERRITOS AVE
Address Line 2
[email protected]
6262779384
2 4
1998
Date of incorporation:
Federal Identification Number
State Identification Number
Name of Non-Profit Organization:
Federal Identification Number
State Identification Number
Contact Name
Title/Position
Mailing Address
Email
Phone Number
1. If your organization is incorporated in California as a non-profit organization, please fill out the following:
2. If you are planning to partner with a non-profit organization, please provide the following information:
City State / Province / Region
Postal / Zip Code Country
Street Address
Address Line 2
Check only if the above statement applies:
3. Please check here if you are neither a non-profit organization nor planning to partner with a non-profit organization:
I am neither a non-profit organization nor planning to partner with a non-profit organization Disclosure
Has the organization or any members of the Board of Directors of the organization been involved with any personal business transactions valued over $500 including any business transactions, negotiations, investments or interests in real property with a Azusa City Councilmember during the past twelve (12) months * If yes, describe briefly:
If your organization received City of Azusa funding in the previous year, please explain and show how Azusa residents benefited.
Provide an answer below:
If your organization is selected to receive a Special Assistance Grant, please be aware that the City of Azusa may request photos, videos, or other content for promotional or record-keeping purposes.* Disclosure of Business Transactions
Yes No
Past Program Benefit
Check this box if this is your first time applying for Special Assistance funding.
Yes, we did. We were able to use some of the money to provide transportation to local community events in Azusa and support the community in that way. We recently presented the Colors at the Azusa Prayer Breakfast this past May.
Consent for Media Use
Please check this box to confirm your understanding.
Questionnaire
1. Describe the program the applicant organization is planning on either developing or participating and identify the following:
· Objectives and goals
· Participants
· Intended audience that will benefit from the program
· Number of volunteers
Provide an answer below:*
2. Why do you need the requested amount of funding?
Provide an answer below:*
3. Identify and define the long term outcome advantage of the activities being funded. How will the program benefit participants and or the community?
Provide an answer below:*
4. How will the program enrich education and/or learning? Provide an answer below:*
Program Description
The Azusa High JROTC Program's mission is "To motivate young people to become better citizens". Our intended participants are high school students who want to become leaders and become more involved in their local community. One of our main objectives is to build leadership as well as supporting the community through community service. We also want our students to be better communicators and achieve high academic standards throughout their high school years. We usually have some volunteers(parent), but this fluctuates as their students graduate and move on.
We need funding to purchase uniform items not covered through our JROTC program as well as transportation costs not covered by the school budget. Also the money will be used to fund field trips for the social enrichment of the student.
The activities we participate in and are funded by donations contributing to building leadership potential, enhancing self-awareness and encourage graduation while not to mention career planning in whatever career field they desire. The military is only one option as a career field but we support students to seek a career field in whatever interests them. I had a 4 year JROTC student visit me yesterday. He had a chance to talk to all the JROTC students in my class, he encouraged them to set goals and do well in all their classes. He is currently attending a 4 year institution majoring in computer science. Time and time again student in my class are glad they took JROTC as a way to build character and leadership skills.
Our program is an elective program that has a core curriculum that builds a well rounded student . Students build a capacity for life-long learning, communicate effectively, take responsibility for their actions, be good citizens, treat others with respect and apply critical thinking techniques to solve problems. The key outcomes of the program are act with integrity, engage in civic and social concerns, graduate prepared for post secondary and careers, make health decisions regarding physical ,mental and emotional well being and lastly, value the contributions of the military and public service organizations. *
PREPARED BY:
Name *
Title *
Date *
Signature *
PRESIDENT OR AUTHORIZED OFFICER:
Name *
Title *
Date *
Signature *
Acknowledgments
We hereby certify the information contained in this application is true to the best of our knowledge and belief.
Henry Granados
TECHER/SENIOR ARMY INSTRUCTOR
8/18/2026
Henry Granados
TEACHER/SENIOR ARMY INSTRUCTOR
8/18/2026