CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
CITY CoUnCIL AGENDA ITEM
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Justin J. Martin, Assistant City Manager
DATE: October 17, 2023
SUBJECT: City Grant Funding for Community Services/Cultural Arts Programs, Special Events and School-Based Activity Sponsorships
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve $75,000 in City grant funding for Community Services/Cultural Arts Programs and Special Events/School-Based Activity Sponsorships, as recommended by the Grants Ad Hoc Committee.
BACKGROUND
Each year the City Council budgets funds for community grants and sponsorships as part of the adopted budget. This grant funding is allocated to recognize and support the importance of many human services, cultural and community assistance programs and organizations that serve Laguna Niguel residents. This year, the City has allocated $75,000 for community grants and sponsorships in the adopted Fiscal Year (FY) 2023- 2024 Budget.
The City's Community Grants and Sponsorships Council Policy includes specific grant requirements for each type of grant/sponsorship program. These requirements can be found in Attachment "A." Community grants and sponsorships support City Council Goal 6 (Communication and Community Outreach) of the Strategic Plan Implementation Action Plan.
There are three categories for the grants program: Community Services/Cultural Arts; Special Events; and School-Based Activity Sponsorships.
1. The Community Services/Cultural Arts Grant Program:
• Organizations must be non-profit and provide services in Laguna Niguel for Laguna Niguel residents and/or provide services for students attending schools that serve Laguna Niguel residents.
2. The Special Events Grant Program:
• Charitable and non-profit organizations that wish to offer special events for the benefit of the community.
3. School-Based Activity Sponsorships:
• Serve a specific purpose, meet a community goal, or fill a gap in programs and services available to students.
ANALYSIS
Annually, during the grant cycle, staff solicit grant applications during the specified application period by posting the grant application on the City's website and through contact with previous recipients via email.
For this grant cycle, the City received a total of $135,062 in grant/sponsorship requests.
Of these, twenty-two applications (totaling $111,975) were received for the Community Services/Cultural Arts Grant Program; two applications were received (totaling $10,087) for the Special Events Grant Program; and, four applications (totaling $13,000) were received for the School-Based Activity Sponsorships. All received grant requests are summarized in Attachment "B."
A publicly noticed, special meeting of the Grants Ad Hoc Committee was held on September 21, 2023. The Grants Ad Hoc Committee, which consists of Mayor Jennings and Council Member Gennawey, reviewed all the submitted grant requests for FY 2023- 2024 and weighed the merit of each request in terms of the organization and the unmet need for the service or program that focuses on Laguna Niguel residents. The grant award recommendations in each grant program/sponsorship category are as follows:
Community Services/Cultural Arts Grants
Organization Program Recommended
Funding
Age Well Senior Services* Meals on Wheels Program. $3,000 ANHS Dance Team Entry fees, coaching, costumes, and $1,000 travel expenses.
ANHS Instrumental Music Repair and/or replacement of $4,000 Boosters, Inc. instruments; costumes and equipment
for color guard.
Aliso Niguel Theatre Purchase cameras needed for the in- $2,000 Company Booster Club house video system.
Alzheimer's Orange Healthy Aging Center: Laguna Woods $3,500 County Facility.
Assistance League of Operation School Bell - school $4,000 Capistrano Valley clothing for students in need.
Beach Cities Quilters Materials for donated quilts. $1,000 Guild
Dana Hills Instrumental Repair and/or maintain instruments; $4,000 Music Association purchase new instruments; purchase
recording equipment.
Extraordinary Lives Provide Children's Emotional Wellness $2,000 Foundation Week Program kits to the two YMCA
Child Cares in Laguna Niguel.
George White Elementary Meet the Masters Program of the Arts. $2,000 PTA
Laguna Niguel Woman's Art contest for High School Students. $3,000 Club
Niguel Hills Middle School Rent stage and sound system for $4,000 outdoor performances.
Ocean Institute Provide educational program to $3,000
(Late Submittal) underserved students at Hidden Hills
Elementary School.
Parkinson's Exercise Support weekly class for individuals $4,000 Program for You with Parkinson's Disease.
ProjectR Provide new 3rd grade STEM program $1,000
to underserved students at Hidden
Hills Elementary.
Rx Ballroom Dance Teaching costs, teacher training, $2,500 curriculum development, and program
evaluation.
South County Outreach** Supplement essential operational $5,000 expenses to ensure availability of on-
site case managers.
StandUp for Kids Housing vouchers, bus passes, and $3,500 basic necessities.
Troop 772 Trailmasters, Subsidize the direct cost of programs $1,500 Inc. and activities offered to members.
Veterans Legal Institute Serve up to 15 Laguna Niguel $1,000 veterans with legal services and/or
appropriate referrals.
Wellness & Prevention Provide wellness education and $3,000 Center mental health counseling to middle
school and high school students.
Youth Trumpet Scholars, Secure venue; finance down $O
Inc. payments; procure contracts from
musicians; promotional materials.
TOTAL $58,000
*Age Well Senior Services also received $6, 125 in CDBG funds per previous City Council action. *South County Outreach also received $5,096 in CDBG funds and $15,000 in PLHA funds per previous City Council action.
Special Events Grants
Organization Program Recommended
Funding
Glennwood Foundation, Cover a portion of the costs associated $2,500 Inc. dba The Lighthouse to the staff member responsible for Group supporting various events.
Laguna Niguel Provide scholarships for 13 $2,500
Elementary School underserved LNES students to attend
Foundation the 5th grade ECOS Institute Science
(Late Submittal) Camp in Spring 2024.
TOTAL $5,000
School-Based Activity Sponsorships
Organization Program Recommended
Funding
Aliso Niguel High School Student Intervention/Homework Club. $3,000 Aliso Viejo Middle School Mock Trial Program. $3,000
Dana Hills High School Homework Center. $3,000
Niguel Hills Middle School Wellness Room - Shark's Cove; $3,000 Library Books; 8th Grade End-of-Year
Celebration.
TOTAL $12,000
The Grants Ad Hoc Committee is recommending a total of $75,000 in grant funding and sponsorships for FY 2023-2024. After careful review and consideration, the Grants Ad Hoc Committee did not recommend grant funding for Youth Trumpet Scholars, Inc. due to the organization not fully meeting the City's Community Grants Program's criteria and
proposing venues located outside of the City's boundaries. During the special meeting, the Grants Ad Hoc Committee encouraged Youth Trumpet Scholars, Inc. representatives in attendance to consider implementing their proposed program at local churches as a step towards establishing their organization. Furthermore, the Grants Ad Hoc Committee instructed staff to propose the concept of waiving participation fees for Laguna Niguel residents as a potential future eligible grant request for the Youth Trumpet Scholars, Inc. organization.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The City Council may decide not to approve the grant awards for the Community Services/Cultural Arts grants and School-Based Activity sponsorships, as recommended by the Grants Ad Hoc Committee, and approve alternative grant awards.
FISCAL REVIEW
The City has sufficient funds in the adopted FY 2023-2024 Budget to award the Ad Hoc Committee's recommended grant requests.
LEGAL REVIEW
There is no legal review required for this item.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve $75,000 in City grant funding for Community Services/Cultural Arts Programs and Special Events/School-Based Activity Sponsorships, as recommended by the Grants Ad Hoc Committee.
Ducting. N
Tamara S. Letourneau Justin J. Martin
City Manager Assistant City Manager
5FIV
Dorna Farhadi Favian Bravo
Human Resources Manager Management Analyst
Attachments:
A. City Grant and Sponsorships Council Policy
B. FY 2023-2024 Grant Requests Summary
ATTACHMENT A
City Grant and Sponsorships Council Policy
CITY GRANTS COUNCIL POLICY
AND SPONSORSHIPS Adopted: 11/14/2018
1989
Last Revised: 3/1/2022
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines and procedures for the City's Grants and Sponsorships Program. This policy outlines the mission and operating parameters of the program and provides guidance on the application process, qualifications for funding, approval process, and the role of the City/CDBG Grant Sub Committee in this program.
All grants and sponsorship funds will be held in reserve until specific funding requests and recommendations are reviewed and approved by the City Council.
A. School-Based Activity Sponsorship Requests
The City may provide sponsorships of school-based activities for special programs and projects not fully funded by other funding sources. The City Council gives preference to sponsorship requests that benefit large groups of students or students who need financial assistance in order to participate in the activity. As part of the annual budget process, the City Council determines the amount of funds each year to support school-based activities as it deems prudent and reasonable.
These funds are held in reserve until specific funding requests and recommendations are reviewed and approved by the City Council. Awards are granted on a first come, first serve basis. Each sponsorship program approved by the City Council is designed to serve a specific purpose, meet a community goal, or fill a gap in programs and services available to residents. Typical school-based activity sponsorship requests include Grad Nite, Homework Club and special school-based events and programs that arise during the school year such as Destination Imagination or Robotics competitions.
1. Grad Nite
Each year, both Aliso Niguel and Dana Hills high schools provide Grad Nite activities for graduating seniors. This event is planned by parents, with no funding from the School District. The event is intended to provide a safe and sober way for teens to celebrate their graduation. The City's contribution helps to keep the cost to the graduating students as low as possible and provides funding for scholarships for those who cannot afford to attend.
The City Council has traditionally granted $2,000 to 3,500 per year, per school, to the Dana Hills High School Grad Nite Committee and the Aliso Niguel High School Grad Nite Committee. Both committees annually send letters to the City requesting these funds. When the letter is received, a staff report is prepared and placed on a future City Council agenda for City Council consideration of the funding request.
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2. Homework Club
Homework Clubs at Niguel Hills Middle School, Aliso Viejo Middle School, Dana Hills High School and Aliso Niguel High School provide after school homework assistance for students. Teachers stay after school to provide this tutorial assistance. The City provides funds to the schools based on the actual cost of payments paid to teachers for participating in this program, in a not to exceed amount determined during the annual City grant process.
CUSD provides periodic billing to the City for these services.
3. Holiday Parade Band Sponsorship
Traditionally, each Capistrano Unified School District high school band that participates in the annual holiday parade receives $1,000. The sponsorship covers the cost of transportation to the parade route, uniform cleaning and miscellaneous instrument repairs. The parade is enhanced by having the bands that provide variety to the parade lineup for the enjoyment of all.
4. Special School-Based Events and Programs
From time to time, various non-profit and school groups approach the City Council for funding for a variety of special programs, activities and projects (i.e., Destination Imagination). These requests are generally placed on a City Council agenda, with a presentation from the requesting organization.
The Council generally grants these requests, with sponsorships usually ranging from $750 - $1,500. Funding is provided for these requests each year through the annual budget process.
B. Community Services and Cultural Arts Grants
The Laguna Niguel City Council recognizes the importance of the many human service, cultural and emergency assistance programs and organizations that serve community residents. As part of the annual budget process, the City Council appropriates funds as it deems prudent and reasonable to award grants to non- profit community service organizations.
1. Policy
a. Organizations must provide services in Laguna Niguel for City residents, and/or provide services for students attending schools that serve City residents.
b. Organizations must have a current non-profit status to be considered for funding.
c. Grants shall not be available to organizations who intend to directly or indirectly act as a conduit to provide the grant funding to other organizations. Grants to organizations that are primarily philanthropic in nature, ie., those who fundraise on behalf of CITY GRANTS AND SPONSORSHIPS 2 of 4 COUNCIL POLICY
3/1/2022
other organizations, shall be considered restricted grants to be used solely for the purposes for which the grant was made.
Exceptions may be granted if the organizations can demonstrate that grant funds will be used by the requesting organization for a specific project benefiting Laguna Niguel residents.
d. Requests for funding for capital improvements and ongoing operation, and maintenance activities shall generally not be awarded. Exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the City Council.
e. Applications may be submitted at any time prior to the annual submission deadline. Late applications will be held over to the next funding period.
2. Procedures
a. The City Council shall appoint two of its members to serve on the City/CDBG Grant Sub Committee. This Sub Committee reviews all applications and funding requests and presents its
recommendations to the full City Council.
b. Following adoption of the annual City budget and meeting of the Sub Committee, the
c. City Council shall consider the Sub Committee recommendations and approve final grant awards.
C. Community Special Events Grants
The Clarious ci recognes the intonta porcommunity id sy. is pan is that. annual budget, the City Council shall appropriate funds as it deems prudent and reasonable to award grants to charitable and non-profit organizations that wish to offer special events for the benefit of the community.
1. Policy
a. Organizations must be a charitable or non-profit organization to be eligible for funding.
b. The event must be a major community event primarily for the benefit of Laguna Niguel residents.
c. The number of events funded under this program shall be limited to three per fiscal year.
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d. Events will be considered for funding on a first come, first serve basis.
e. No more than $5,000 per fiscal year shall be awarded for any event.
f. Funding shall first be used to offset the costs of City-incurred expenses, such as Police and Public Works costs. Remaining funds may be used to defray other event related expenses. g. Upon being awarded funding, an organization shall provide insurance certificate naming the City of Laguna Niguel as additionally insured.
h. If the event includes the service of alcohol, awardee shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
2. Procedures
a. A completed application form must be submitted to the City prior to consideration for funding.
b. The City/CDBG Grant Sub Committee shall review all
applications and present its recommendations to the City Council. c. The City Council shall consider the Sub Committee
recommendations and approve final grant rewards.
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ATTACHMENT B
FY 2023-2024 Grants Request Summary
FY 2023-24 Community Services/Cultural Arts Grant Request Summary FY 2020-21 Awarded FY 2021-22 Awarded FY 2022-23 Awarded Estimated Number of FY 2023-24 Funding FY 2023-24 Organization Use of Grant Funds Grant Amount Requested Recommended Funding Gran amounta Grancamoun
1 Age Well Senior Services Meals-on-Wheels (MOW) Program Kecoved So.125 in Cood lungs $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 115 $3,000 $3,000 2 Aliso Niguel High School Dance Entry foes, coaching, costumes, and travel expenses Team $1,000 $1,000 $1.000 $1,500 $1,000
3 Aliso Niguel High School Ropair or replacement of instruments; costumes and Instrumental Music Boosters, Inc equipment for color guard NIA $4,000 31 $7,500 $4,000 4 Also Niguel Theatre Company Purchase cameras needed for the in-house video system Booster Club N/A 1,200 $5,000 $2,000
5 Alzheimer's Orange County Healthy Aging Center: Laguna Woods Facity NA $2,000 20 $5,000 $3.500
6 Assistance League of Capistrano Operation School Bell- school clothing for students in need Valley $3,500 $4,000 165 $8,475 $4,000
7 Beach Chies Quiters Guil Materials for donated quits
$1.000 $1,000 Unknown $1,000 $1,000
8 Dana Hils Instrumental Music Repair and maintain instruments; purchase new instruments; Associaton purchase recording equipment $4,000 $3,500 50 $4,000 $4,000 9 Extraordinary Lives Foundation Provide a Chidren's Emotional Wellness Week (ChEM) Program kit to the two YMCA Child Cares located in Laguna $2,500 $2,500 168 $2.500 $2,000 Niguel
10 George White Elementary PTA Meet the Masters Program of the Arts N/A 400 $2,000 $2,000
11 Laguna Niguel Woman's Club Art contest for local high school students $3,000 $3.000 64 $3,000 $3,000
12 Niguel Hills Middle School Rent stage and sound system for outdoor performances N/A $2,500 $4,500 720 $5,000 $4,000
13 Ocean Institute tidden Hills Elementary underserved students will participate (LATE SUBMITTAL) n an Ocean Institute in-person program focused on STEM $2,500 $2,500 $3,500 45 $3,500 $3,000 sno erwormera siowardshd
14 Parkinson's Exercise Program for Support a wookly class for individuals with Parkinson's You $2,500 N/A $4,500 75+ $5,500 $4.000
15 Project3R Provide new 3rd grade STEM program to underserved students at Hidden Hils Elementary NIA $1,500 $1.000 335 $4,000 $1.000 16 Rx Ballroom Dance Teaching costs, teacher training, curriculum development, and program evaluation N/A $2,000 $3,000 167 $5,000 $2,500
17 South County Outreact Supplement essential operatonal expenses to ensure $6,000 $9.000 $5.000 500 $10,000 $5,000
Receivna 35 096m CONG funds.
18 StandUp for Kids Housing vouchers, bus passes, and basic necessitie:
$1,000 $1,500 $3,500 10 $5,000 $3.500
19 Troop 772 Traimasters, Inc. Subsidize the direct cost of programs and activiies offered to members NIA NIA Unknown $2,000 $1,500
20 Veterans Legal institute Serve up to 15 Veterans, residing in Laguna Niguel, with legal senices and/or appropriate referrals N/A $1,000 $1,000 15 $5,000 $1,000 21 Welness and Preventon Center Provide wellness education and mental health counseling to middle school and high school students $2,500 $2,500 $3,000 250 $3.000 $3.000 22 Youth Trumpet Scholars, Inc. Secure venue; finance down payments; procure contracts trom musicans promobond materis N/A N/A NIA 50-400 $21,000 so N/A - The organization did not submit a grant application Total Requested $111,975 $58,000.00 FY 2023-24 Special Events Grant Request Summary
FY 2020-21 Awarded 1972021-22 warded FY 2022-23 Awarded Est mated Number of FY 2023-24 Funding FY 2023-22 Organization Use of Grant Funds Grant Amount Grant Amount Grant Amount Residents Served Requested Recommended Funding 23 Glennwood Foundation, Inc. dba Cover a portion of the costs associated to the staff member The Lighthouse Group $2,500 $3,000 $2,500
24 Laguna Niguel Elementary School Provide scholarshios for 13 underserved LNES students to Foundation attend the 5th grade ECOS Institute Science Camp in Spring NIA NIA 13 $7.087 $2,500 (LATE SUBMITTAL) 2024.
Total Requested $10,087 $5,000
FY 2023-24 School-Based Activity Sponsorship Program
FY 2021-22 Awarded FY 2022-23 Awardec FY 2022-23 Actual FY 2023-24 Funding FY 2023-24 Organization Program Grant Amount Grant Amount Grant Amount Expenditures Requested Recommended Funding 1 Aliso Niguel High School Intervention/Homework Club $2,565 $4,000 $3,000 $1,500 $2,000 $3,000
2 Aliso Viejo Middle School Mock Trial Program $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 53,000 $1,000
3 Dana Hills High School Homework Center $3,000
$1,500 $3,000 $3.000 $3,000 $3,000
4 Niguel Hils Middle School Wolness Room - Shark's Cove; Library Books; $1,000 $3,000 so NIA 53,000 $3,000
ith Grade End or Year Celbraton
Totals $8,565.00 $13,000 $12,000