Staff Report
City Council
Item No. {{section.number}}.C
Meeting Date: June 25, 2025
From: Kevin Biersack, Financial Services Director
Title: FY 25/26 Community Assistance Grant Program Awards Council Approval
RECOMMENDATION:
The Council Subcommittee recommends City Council approve the award of grants totaling $70,000 for the FY 2025/2026 Community Assistance Grant Program.
BACKGROUND:
On March 12, 2025, City Council appointed an Ad Hoc subcommittee to review Community Assistance Grant Program applications. Funding for the program for FY 2025/2026 is included in the adopted budget totaling $70,000. The grant program was advertised on the city’s website for grant requests ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, and a notice was published on the city’s website and social media accounts starting March 14, 2025. The deadline for grant submissions was April 18, 2025.
DISCUSSION:
Council appointed an Ad Hoc subcommittee consisting of Councilmembers Gutierrez and Lamb to review the applications and make a recommendation to the full Council for formal action. The subcommittee met with city staff on May 8, 2025, to review and provide feedback and recommendations.
Program guidelines to be considered for funding:
•Applicants must be a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization or a tribal or governmental agency.
•Applicants must be based in Cathedral City or demonstrate they provide services to residents or businesses of Cathedral City.
•Applicants must be able to demonstrate they receive funding from other sources and are not relying only on City support.
•Preference will be given to applicants meeting health and human service needs of underserved populations.
•If funded last year, the applicant will need to provide the city a report on how the funding was utilized.
The subcommittee recommended the following awards:
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding of $70,000 for the grant awards is included in the FY 2025/2026 adopted budget.
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action will further Goal C – Fiscal Stability and Sustainability Objective - Cathedral City has economically prospered by facilitating the investment of private dollars in high quality development which benefits the community. We remain financially solvent by instituting prudent fiscal policies and transparent financial practices.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. FY 2025-2026 Community Assistance Grant Program Applications