To:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
CITY OF LAGUNA N IGUEL
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Justin J. Martin, Assistant City Manager
April 21, 2026
City Sponsorship of Dana Hills High School and Aliso Niguel High School Grad Nite 2026
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve a sponsorship donation of $3,000 to the Dana Hills High School Grad Nite Committee; and,
2. Approve a sponsorship donation of $3,000 to the Aliso Niguel High School Grad Nite Committee.
BACKGROUND
Traditionally, the City of Laguna Niguel has supported Grad Nite celebrations at both of its local high schools by donating $2,000 to $3,500 per year, per school. The City's contribution helps to keep the cost to the graduating students as low as possible and provides funding for those who cannot afford to attend.
Grad Nite is intended to provide a safe and sober way for graduating students to celebrate their accomplishments .
ANALYSIS
This year the City received a donation request from the Dana Hills High School Grad Nite Committee and the Aliso Niguel High School Grad Nite Committee for a monetary contribution of $3,000 and $3,000, respectively to support their Grad Nite 2026 celebration. The donation requests are included as Attachment A and Attachment B.
Grad Nite events are sponsored and planned by the parents and rely on the support of the cities the school serves, as well as the generosity of community members and businesses. Every senior, regardless of ability to pay, is encouraged to attend Grad Nite to celebrate in a safe, alcohol and drug-free environment.
FISCAL REVIEW
Sufficient funding has been budgeted and is available in the FY 2025/2026 Operating Budget.
LEGAL REVIEW
No legal review required for this item.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve a sponsorship donation of $3,000 to the Dana Hills High School Grad Nite Committee; and,
2. Approve a sponsorship donation of $3,000 to the Aliso Niguel High School Grad Nite Committee.
Stacy Lu ey
Management Analyst
Attachments:
J
A. Dana Hills Grad Nite Sponsorship Donation Request
B. Aliso Niguel Grad Nite Sponsorship Donation Request
anager
ATTACHMENT A
Dana Hills Grad Nite Sponsorship Donation Request
Grad Nite Committee I Dana Hills High School I 33333 Golden Lantern I Dana Point, CA 92629 A Safe & Sober Celebration of High School Graduation
February 27, 2026
RE: City of Laguna Niguel - Community Grant Request of $3,000 Dear Mayor and Members of the Laguna Niguel City Council, "Grad Nite" is an overnight, parent-chaperoned, alcohol- and drug-free event that ensures that this time of celebration is safe and memorable for the graduating seniors. The Grad Nite committee is a group of parents and friends who organize graduation-related activities for the DHHS seniors.
We receive no funding from the high school or the school district. We are a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, and we depend on generous contributors like you to help make this event a success.
We have been so fortunate and thankful to have the City of Laguna Niguel as a sponsor for many years. This year we have no other fund raiser for Grad nite, so are hopeful that we can count on your support once again.
With this letter, we are humbly asking for your support again in 2026 of $3,000 With the City's community grant, we are able to offer scholarships to seniors who otherwise wouldn't be able to attend Grad Nite, and offset costs needed to put on an event of this size. If you have questions about Grad Nite, my contact information is below.
On behalf of our volunteer committee, we thank you for supporting this worthy cause. We hope to see you on March 27th at Taste of Dana 2025 !
Warmest Regards,
Dana Hills Grad Nite Volunteers
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ATTACHMENT B
Aliso Niguel Grad Nite Sponsorship Donation Request
PTS/J
everychild. onevoice.®
Aliso Niguel High School 28000 Wolverine Way, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 March 6, 2025
Re: Aliso Niguel High School Grad Nite
Dear Laguna Niguel City Council,
'Grad Nite' is a tradition for graduated seniors to get together for one last group experience after 12 years of education before moving on to the next phase of their lives. This year, as in previous years, ANHS graduates will be going to Disney's California Adventure on June 10th, 2026 for their amazing Grad Nite experience. This year we have noticed an increase in financial help than in other years.
This is event is put on by the ANHS PTSA and is run solely by volunteers. If we are awarded a grant, could it please be made out to ANHS PTSA.
Requested Amount: $3,000 if possible.
• We receive no funding.from the high school or the school district. We are a 501 (c)3 tax-exempt organizatfrm, and we depend on generous contributors like you to help make this event a success. • With the City's sponsorship, we are able to offer scholarships to seniors who otherwise wouldn't be able to attend Grad Nite, and offset costs needed to put on an event of this size (especially the increased transportation and ticket prices), as well as any enhancement we can provide for the participants during the event.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
ANHS Grad Nite Committee