To:
FROM:
DATE:
CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Justin J. Martin, Assistant City Manager
October 21 , 2025
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 Budget.
The City's Community Grants and Sponsorships Council Policy includes specific grant requirements for each type of granUsponsorship 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.
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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 website and through contact with previous recipients via email.
For this grant cycle, the City received a total of $157,425 in grant/sponsorship requests.
Of these, twenty-two applications (totaling $121,625) were received for the Community Services/Cultural Arts Grant Program; two applications were received (totaling $9,800) for the Special Events Grant Program; and seven applications (totaling $26,000) 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 30, 2025. The Grants Ad Hoc Committee, which consists of Mayor Gennawey and Council Member Jennings, reviewed all the submitted grant requests 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
Aliso Niguel High School Entry fees, coaching, costumes, and $1,000 Dance Team Booster travel expenses.
Aliso Niguel High School Maintenance and replacement of $3,000 Instrumental Music instruments; professional services for Boosters, Inc. colorguard show design and drill
choreoqraphy; purchase of props.
Aliso Niguel Theatre Purchase new stage spotlights . $2,000 Company Booster Club
Alzheimer's Orange 3% FTE salaries; dementia and aging $1,500 County education, memory screening, and
dementia traininq for careqivers
Assistance League of Operation School Bell - school $2,000 Capistrano Valley clothinq for students in need.
Beach Cities Quilters Materials for donated quilts. $1,000 Guild
Dana Hills High School Licensing fees for the Dana Hills $750 PTSA Helper Helper app assisting students
to find community volunteer
opportunities.
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Dana Hills Instrumental Repair and replace instruments; $2,500 Music Association purchase new speakers, and purchase
new portable racks, for marching
band, wind ensemble and orchestra
uniforms.
Extraordinary Lives Donate ELF's Children's Emotional $1,000 Foundation Wellness (CHEWW) programs to
classrooms throuQhout LaQuna NiQuel.
George White Elementary Student transportation to and from the $4,000 PTA 5th grade science camp and student
scholarships.
Laguna Niguel Woman's Sponsorship for students at Hidden $4,000 Club Hills Elementary School to participate
in the BASE Enrichment Art Classes .
Ocean Institute Adopt-A-Class Program that enables $2,500 underserved students from Title 1
schools to participate in Ocean
lnstitute 's hands-on STEM education
Parkinson's Exercise Support two weekly classes for $3,000 Program individuals with Parkinson's Disease at
Laouna Niguel YMCA.
Project3R Provide hands-on environmental $2,000
education to 3rd-5th graders at Hidden
Hills Elementarv.
Rattlers Baseball - Travel, lodging, tournament fees, $1 ,000 Laguna Niguel Little uniforms and transportation for those League Select children experiencing hardships
ensuring no player misses out on the
opportunity .
Robot Dolphins from Allow team 5199 support traveling $1,000 Outer Space Affiliated with road kits to multiple competitions to Dana Hills Boosters FRC have tools and equipment available in Team 5199/The Dolphin a more secure and easily transported Foundation manner.
Rx Ballroom Dance Teaching costs, teacher training, $2,000 curriculum development, and program
evaluation.
South County Outreach* Supplement essential operational $6,000 expenses to ensure availability to on-
site case manaqers.
StandUp for Kids Housing vouchers, bus passes , and $3,000 basic necessities .
The Glenwood Cover a portion of the costs $2,500
Foundation , Inc. associated with the staff member
responsible for supporting various
events.
Veterans Legal Institute Serve up to 15 veterans, residing in $1 ,000 Laguna Niguel, with legal services
and/or appropriate referrals.
Wellness & Prevention Support programming for prevention $2,000 Center education for parents and youth;
support mental health services.
TOTAL $48,750
*South County Outreach also received $7,400 in CDBG funds and $40,000 in PLHA funds.
Special Events Grants
Organization Program Recommended
Funding
Laguna Niguel Fund scholarships to Emerald Cove $4,000
Elementary School Outdoor Science Camp (EGOS) in
Foundation March .
Moulton PTA Student transportation to and from $4,000
Science Camp at Pali Institute located
in Running Springs, CA.
TOTAL $8,000
School-Based Activity Sponsorships
Organization Program Recommended
Funding
Aliso Niguel High School After school tutoring and support. $2,000 Aliso Viejo Middle School Mock Trial Competition ; Supplies for $3,000 end-of-the-year 8th grade awards and
8th grade dance.
Dana Hills High School Homework and Intervention Center. $3,000 (Homework and
Intervention Center)
Dana Hills High School Transportation , uniform upkeep , and $750 (Marching Band) instrument repairs.
John Malcolm Elementary Scholarships for 5th Grade Science $3,000 School (Science Camp) Camp to students living in Laguna Niouel.
John Malcom Elementary Sensory tools, supplies, electronics , $3,500 School (Special ergonomic furniture , and printed
Education) materials for students enrolled in the
Special Education program.
Niguel Hills Middle School Supplies for Wellness Room - Shark's $3,000 Cove; Motivational speaker.
TOTAL $18,250
The Grants Ad Hoc Committee is recommending a total of $75,000 in grant funding and sponsorships.
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 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. -=------- ----,ot........ ---~ - --4--,L- ~ ~ ~--
Tamara S. Leto rneau J
City Manager A anager
Management Analy:
Attachments:
Marina Haugland
Management Assistant
A. City Grant and Sponsorships Council Policy
B. FY 2025-2026 Grant Requests Summary
ATTACHMENT A
City Grant and Sponsorships Council Policy
. CITY GRANTS
AND SPONSORSHIPS
COUNCIL POLICY
Adopted: 11/14/2018
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, i.e., 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 City Council recognizes the importance of community-wide special events that bring various cultural and recreational opportunities to the City. As part of the 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.
CITY GRANTS AND SPONSORSHIPS 3 of 4 COUNCIL POLICY
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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 2025-2026 Grants Request Summary
FY 2025-26 Community Services/Cultural Arts Grant Request Summary FY 2022-23 Awarded FY 2023-24 Awarded FY 2024-25 Awarded Estimated Number of FY 2025-26 Funding I. FY 2025-26 Organization Use of Grant Funds Grant Amount Grant Amount Grant Amount/ Residents Served Requested I Recommended Funding Requested Amount 1 Aliso Niguel High School Dance Entry fees, coaching, costumes , and travel expenses $1,000 $1,000 $1,000/$1 ,500 4 $1,500 $1,000 Team Booster 2 Aliso Niguel High School Maintenance and replacement of instruments ; Vinyl floor Instrumental Music Boosters , Inc. for drumline; Professional services for colorguard show $4,500 $4,000 $4 ,0001$7,000 30 $7,000 $3,000 design and drill choreography ; Purchase of props 3 Aliso Niguel Theatre Company Purchase new stage spotlights NIA $2,000 $2, 500/$5, 000 1,000 $3,500 $2,000 Booster Club 4 Alzheimer's Orange County 3% FTE salaries; dementia and aging education, memory screening, and dementia training for caregivers $3,500 $3,500 $2,500/$5,000 1,000 $5,000 $1 ,500 5 Assistance League of Capistrano Operation School Bell - school clothing for students in $5,500 $4,000 $4,000/$9,325 170 $10,625 $2,000 Valley need 6 Beach Cities Quilters Guild Materials for donated quilts $1,000 $1 ,000 $1,000/$1,000 100 $1 ,000 $1 ,000 7 Dana Hills High School PTSA Licensing fees for the Dana Hills Helper Helper app assist students find community volunteer opportunities N/A N/A NIA 880 $1,500 $750 8 Dana Hills Instrumental Music Repair and replace instruments ; purchase new speakers; Association and purchase new portable racks for the marching band, $4,000 $4,000 $4 ,0001$4,000 50 $4,000 $2,500 wind ensemble and orchestra uniforms 9 Extraordinary Lives Foundation Donate ELF's Children's Emotional Wellness (CHEWW) programs to classrooms throughout Laguna Niguel $2,500 $2,000 $1 ,000/$3,500 100 $2,000 $1,000 10 George White Elementary PT A Student transportation to and from the 5th grade science camp and student scholarships
$2,000 $2,000 $2,0001$2,000 74 $4,000 $4,000
11 Laguna Niguel Woman's Club Sponsorship for students at Hidden Hills Elementary School to participate in the BASE Enrichment Art Classes. $3,000 $3,000 $5,0001$5,000 3,000 $6,000 $4,000 12 Ocean Institute Adopt-A-Class Program that enables underserved students from Title I schools to participate in Ocean $3,500 $3,000 $3,000/$6 ,000 45 $4,500 $2,500 lnstitute's hands-on STEM education
13 Parkinson's Exercise Program Support two weekly classes for individuals with $4,500 $4,000 $4,000/$6,000 80 $11,500 $3,000 Parkinson's Disease at Laguna Niguel YMCA 14 Project3R Provide hands-on environmental education to 3rd-5th $1 ,000 $1,000 $1,000/$4,000 260 $3,500 $2,000 graders at Hidden Hills Elementary 15 Rattlers Baseball - Laguna Niguel Travel, lodging,-tournament fees, uniforms and Little League Select transportation for those children experiencing hardships ensuring no player misses out on the opportunity . N/A N/A N/A 40 $20,000 $1 ,000 16 Robot Dolphins from Outer Space Allow team 5199 support traveling road kits to multiple Affiliated with Dana Hills Boosters competitions to have tools and equipment available in a N/A N/A N/A 20 $5,000 $1,000 FRC Team 5199/The Dolphin more secure and easily transported manner.
Foundation
17 Rx Ballroom Dance Teaching costs, teacher training, curriculum development, $3,000 $2,500 $2,500/$5,000 305 $5,000 $2,000 and program evaluation FY 2022-23 Awarded FY 2023-24 Awarded FY 2024-25 Awarded Estimated Number of FY 2025-26 Funding FY 2025-26 Organization Use of Grant Funds Grant Amount Grant Amount/ Residents Served Requested Recommended Funding Grant Amount Requested Amount 18 South County Outreach Supplement essential operational expenses to ensure availability of on-site case managers $5,000 $5,000 $7,000/$10,000 500 $10,000 $6,000 Received $7,400 in CDBG Funds
19 StandUp for Kids Housing vouchers , bus passes, and basic necessities $3,500 $3,500 $3,500/$5,000 6 $5,000 I $3,000 I 20 The Glennwood Foundation, Inc. dba Cover a portion of the costs associated to the staff $2,500 $2,500 $3,000/$3,000 47 $2,500 $2,500 The Lighthouse Group member responsible for supporting various events . 21 Veterans Legal Institute Serve up to 15 Veterans, residing in Laguna Niguel, with $1,000 $1 ,000 $1 ,000/$2.500 15 $5,000 $1,000 legal services and/or appropriate referrals 22 Wellness and Prevention Center Support programming for prevention education for parents $3,000 $3,000 $3 ,0001$3,000 200 $3,500 $2,000 and youth; support mental health services.
Total Reauested $121,625 $48 750
FY 2025-26 Special Events Grant Request Summary
FY 2022-23 Awarded FY 2023-24 Awarded FY 2024-25 Awarded Estimated Number of FY 2025-26 Funding FY 2025-26 Organization Use of Grant Funds Grant Amount Grant Amount/ Residents Served Requested Recommended Funding Grant Amount Requested Amount 23 Laguna Niguel Elementary School Fund scholarships to Emerald Cove Outdoor Science N/A $2,500 $4,000/$5,000 80 $5,000 $4,000 Foundation Camp (ECOS) in March. .
24 Moulton PTA Student transportation to and from Science Camp at Pali NIA NIA N/A 88 $4,800 $4,000 Institute located in Running Springs, CA.
NIA - The organization did not submit a grant application Total Requested $9,800 $8,000 FY 2025-26 School-Based Activity Sponsorship Program
FY 2022-23 Awarded FY 2023-24 Awarded FY 2024-25 Awarded FY 2024-25 Actual FY 2025-26 Funding FY 2025-26 Organization Program Grant Amount Grant Amount/ Expenditures Requested Recommended Funding Grant Amount Requested Amount 1 Aliso Niguel High School After school tutoring and support. $3,000 $3,000 $3,000/$4,000 $3,000 $3,000 $2,000 2 Aliso Viejo Middle School Mock Trial After School Competition; supplies for end-of- $3,000 $3,000 $3,000/$3,000 $3,000 $2,000 $3,000 the-year 8th grade awards and 8th grade dance 3 Dana Hills High School (Homework Homework and Intervention Center and Intervention Center) $3,000 $3,000 NIA NIA $5,000 $3,000 4 Dana Hills High School (March ing Transportation, uniform upkeep, and instrument repairs. NIA NIA NIA NIA $1 ,000 $750 Band) 5 John Malcolm Elementary School Scholarsh ips for 5th Grade Science Camp to students NIA NIA NIA NIA $5,000 $3,000 (Science Camp) living in Laguna Niguel. 6 John Malcolm Elementary School Sensory tools , supplies , electronics, ergonomic furniture (Special Education) and printed materials for students enrolled in the Special NIA NIA NIA N/A $6,000 $3,500 Education program . 7 Niguel Hills Middle School . Supplies for Wellness Room - Shark's Cove; motivational $3,000/$3,000 $2,990 $4,000 $3,000 speaker $0 $3,000 Totals $8,990 $26,000 $18,250