14. Apprv FY 23-24 Community Based Organization Funding Program Recommendations

Item No.

TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: JASON CHACON, DIRECTOR OF PARKS & RECREATION

DATE: NOVEMBER 28, 2023

SUBJECT: FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION

FUNDING PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The City Council will consider approving the Community Based Organization Funding Program recommendations for the 2023–2024 award cycle in the amount of $96,500. The Community Based Organization Funding program was created to assist local non -profits that serve the Downey community in providing community benefits to Downey residents and provides a clear and efficient way for local non-profits to request funding from the City for programs, events, or services.

RECOMMENDATION

That the City Council:

Approve the Community Based Organization Funding Request Program recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2023 – 2024 funding cycle in the amount of $96,500.

BACKGROUND

At the June 27, 2023, City Council meeting, the City Council adopted the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024 operating budget. As part of the budget adoption, the City Council approved a $100,000 allocation for the creation of a Community Based Organiza tion (CBO) Funding Request Program.

Additionally, at the August 22, 2023, City Council meeting, the City Council established guidelines that provided a clear and efficient means for community-based programs to request funding for programs, events, and services. The CBO Funding Request Program supports local non-profit organizations that provide community benefits to Downey residents. The CBO program requirements included:

• The CBO must be an existing non-profit corporation in good standing with the California Secretary of State and provide documents from the Secretary of State of such status.

APPROVED BY

CITY MANAGER

APPROVE FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION FUNDING PROGRAM

RECOMMENDATIONS
NOVEMBER 28, 2023
PAGE 2

• The organization exhibits a sound fiscal program through appropriate financial records and documentation.
• The organization demonstrates a history of community fundraising activities and is not entirely dependent on City financial assistance for programs, events, or services.

ANALYSIS

Following the City Council-approved establishment, City Staff began initial outreach and performed multiple advertising efforts that included the Downey Patriot, City social media platforms, City webpage, and contacting over 35 local non-profit community organizations. Staff received a total of 7 applications for a total requested amount of $135,820 of which $100,000 is budgeted. Applications received varied in purpose and scope, including:

The proposals were evaluated based on the following criteria:
• The number of Downey residents served
Organization
Name
Program
Requested
Amount
Requested
Direct
Service
Provided
Downey
Residents
Serviced

1. Downey
Symphonic
Society
Pops in the Park
Concert $15,000 Approx. 40
Musicians wages 500-600

2. Desert
Reign
Church
ABL Food Pantry &
Resource Center $22,500 Vehicle fuel,
Insurance, repairs
300
households
per month

3. Stay Arts Art Classes &
Workshops (Spring) $24,000 Staff, services,
and supplies 400

4. The Whole
Child
Mental Health &
Housing Services $15,000
Employee wages
at the Family
Access Center in
Downey
84 5. 10-20 Club Wellness Workshops $20,000 Staff and supplies 168

6. Drumming
for Your
Life
Reading & Rhythm
Program $19,320 Staff and supplies 50

7. LA CADA Homeless Services $20,000 Partial FTE Case
Manager 19

APPROVE FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION FUNDING PROGRAM

RECOMMENDATIONS
NOVEMBER 28, 2023
PAGE 3

• How proposed programs aligned with City Council priorities • How well the programs fit the current needs of the community

Staff reviewed the 7 applications that were submitted, 5 of which were deemed as best meeting the criteria and have been recommended for funding for the FY 2023 – 24. The applications that were not recommended for funding include:

Organization
Name
Program
Requested
Amount
Requested
Downey
Residents
Serviced
Drumming for Your
Life
Reading & Rhythm
Program $19,320 50
LA CADA Homeless Services $20,000 19

Drumming for Your Life – The Reading and Rhythm program is a multisensory literacy program that improves reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and spelling while also increasing motivation and self-esteem. The proposal indicated an anticipated 50 Downey residents being served with this request, which places it as the second lowest among the 7 applications submitted.

LA CADA – Support the continuation of a 27.89% FTE case manager dedicated to processing referrals for low-income and homeless Downey residents who require behavioral health services, including housing services. The funds requested from the grant would be utilized towards partially offsetting a current staffing position. The request is budget relief for the organization, and the effort would serve 19 Downey residents placing it as the lowest of the 7 applications submitted.

It should be noted that City staff is currently working with the State and The Whole Child regarding a state housing grant where The Whole Child would serve as the subrecipient of the grant. The grant monies would be allocated towards The Whole Child’s housing services, specifically case management efforts and offset employee salary costs, similar to what is be being requested by The Whole Child as part of their CBO funding application.

If approved, an agreement will be brought back to the City Council between the City and The Whole Child, and the CBO monies allocated to The Whole Child would be returned to the CBO fund.

In an effort to ensure that the widest reach of Downey residents benefit from the CBO Funding Program, staff recommends that five of the seven applicants be funded in the initial grant cycle in the total amount of $96,500.

CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES

Fiscal Responsibility
Quality of Life, Safety and Infrastructure
Public Engagement

APPROVE FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION FUNDING PROGRAM

RECOMMENDATIONS
NOVEMBER 28, 2023
PAGE 4

FISCAL IMPACT

Approval of the recommended action will result in an expenditure of $96,500 from the Parks and Recreation General Fund account 10-4-4320-0585 as previously approved in the FY 2023-2024 operating budget.

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A: The Whole Child CBO Application
Attachment B: 10-20 Club CBO Application
Attachment C: Drumming for Your Life CBO Application
Attachment D: Downey Symphonic Society CBO Application
Attachment E: Stay Arts CBO Application
Attachment F: Desert Reign Church SBO Application
Attachment G: LA CADA CBO Application

ATTACHMENT A

ATTACHMENT B

ATTACHMENT C

ATTACHMENT D

ATTACHMENT E

ATTACHMENT F

ATTACHMENT G

Downey City CouncilNovember 28, 2023

Downey City Council
November 28, 2023