CITY OF MENIFEE
SUBJECT: Evaluation of a Menifee Charitable Organization MEETING DATE: September 16, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
PREPARED BY: Kori Jones, Senior Management Analyst
REVIEWED BY: Mariana Mitchell, Community Services Director APPROVED BY: Armando G. Villa, City Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Discuss the potential establishment of a Menifee charitable organization and provide direction to staff on the concept and potential organizational approaches for further evaluation.
DISCUSSION
As Menifee continues to grow, so have the programs, facilities, events, and services provided to the community. As a future agenda item request of the City Council, this memorandum revisits whether a charitable organization could provide an additional resource to support community programs, projects, and initiatives through donations, sponsorships, grants, and other contributions.
For purposes of this discussion, a charitable organization refers to a nonprofit organization established for charitable purposes that may qualify for federal tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This type of organization can provide an avenue for tax- deductible charitable contributions and access to certain grants and other philanthropic funding opportunities.
This concept has been considered previously by the City. In 2019 and 2020, the Parks, Recreation, and Trails Commission (PRTC) reviewed charitable organizations associated with other public agencies, including how they were structured and staffed, the types of programs and projects they supported, and the resources needed to operate them. The PRTC recommended that the City Council consider establishing a nonprofit organization, ,but the item was ultimately postponed due to the economic uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since that time, the City has continued to expand its partnerships with businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools, and other community partners that provide financial and in-kind support for City programs and events. These partnerships are an important part of how the City supports
City of Menifee Staff Report
Evaluation of a Menifee Charitable Organization
September 16, 2026
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community programs and activities. Forming a charitable organization could complement these existing efforts and create additional opportunities to support community priorities.
Potential Role of a Charitable Organization
A charitable organization could provide another wayto contribute to programs and projects that benefit the Menifee community. Depending on its purpose, an organization could support:
•Community programs and recreation scholarships;
•City events and cultural programming;
•Programming and amenities at the Central Park Amphitheater; •Parks, recreation facilities, and other community amenities; and •Other programs or projects consistent with the organization's charitable purpose.
The role of a charitable organization could also extend beyond fundraising. Depending on its purpose and structure, an organization could help develop community partnerships, pursue grants, provide volunteers or other resources, or support the delivery of programs and services.
A charitable organization would supplement, rather than replace, City funding for existing community services. Establishing an organization would also not, by itself, guarantee donations or fundraising revenue. Its effectiveness would depend on a clear purpose, sustained leadership, and the partnerships and resources needed to carry out its mission.
Potential Organizational Approaches
There are different ways a municipality can work with a charitable organization. Two approaches may be relevant to Menifee differing primarily in who governs and administers the organization and the level of City resources needed to support. Table 1 outlines these approaches.
TABLE 1 – POTENTIAL ORGANIZATIONAL APPROACHES
Model Structure/Role City Commitment
City-Affiliated
Foundation
Closely connected to the City, with City
officials and staff participating in
governance and administration
Higher – City governance,
staffing, and administration
Community-Led
Foundation
Partnership
Independently governed by a
community board that works in
partnership with the City to support
shared priorities
Lower – City coordination
related to partnerships or
agreements as applicable
Under a City-affiliated model, elected officials and/or City representatives may participate in the organization's governance, while City staff may provide administrative, financial, legal, or other ongoing support. This approach maintains a close connection between the organization and City priorities but requires a corresponding commitment of City resources.
A community-led foundation would be governed and operated independently, with responsibility for governance, fundraising, and operations resting with the organization. The City's role would generally focus on coordination and the programs, projects, or services where the City and foundation choose to work together. This approach would depend on sufficient community interest City of Menifee Staff Report
Evaluation of a Menifee Charitable Organization
September 16, 2026
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and individuals willing to take an active role in establishing and governing an independent nonprofit organization.
The City could also continue building upon its existing sponsorships and community partnerships without establishing a new charitable organization.
Examples from Other Communities
Examples from other nearby communities help illustrate how these approaches can work in practice.
•Moreno Valley Community Foundation: Established in 2007, the Foundation is governed by the Moreno Valley City Council, with City staff supporting its administration.
The Foundation supports a range of community programs, including homeless outreach and grant-funded food assistance. This model demonstrates how a charitable organization can remain closely connected to City priorities while relying on elected officials and City staff for governance and administration.
•Riverside Community Services Foundation: Also established in 2007, the Foundation is governed by an all-volunteer board of community members and works closely with the City's Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. The Foundation supports parks and recreation activities, events, youth scholarships, senior programs, arts and cultural activities, and other community services. This model demonstrates how a community-led nonprofit can support municipal programs and priorities while maintaining independent governance.
These examples show how similar community-support goals can be pursued through different governance structures. Moreno Valley maintains direct City involvement in its foundation, while Riverside relies on a community board to govern its organization. These different structures affect both who guides the organization and the level of City staff time and resources needed to support it.
Considerations for Menifee
An important first consideration for Menifee would be what a charitable organization is intended to accomplish. Its purpose could be broad, supporting a variety of community priorities, or more focused on areas such as parks and recreation, cultural arts, community facilities, scholarships, or specific programs and projects.
The intended purpose would also help shape the appropriate organizational approach. A City- affiliated foundation could provide a close connection to City priorities but would require consideration of the City's ongoing role in governance, staffing, administration, fundraising, and financial management. A community-led foundation partnership could provide greater independence and community participation, but its success would depend on identifying individuals willing and able to govern the organization and support its fundraising efforts.
Regardless of the approach, successful fundraising requires sustained effort to build relationships, cultivate donors, pursue grants, organize fundraising activities, and maintain community support. Establishing an organization alone does not create that capacity. Community City of Menifee Staff Report
Evaluation of a Menifee Charitable Organization
September 16, 2026
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leadership, staff support, volunteers, and other resources needed to carry out the organization's mission would therefore be an important consideration in any further evaluation.
Fiscal and staffing impacts would also vary by approach. A City-affiliated foundation could require ongoing City staffing, administrative, legal, and financial resources. A community-led organization would generally be responsible for its own organizational and operating costs, with City resources focused on coordination and agreed-upon partnership activities.
Based on City Council direction, staff could further evaluate the approach or approaches of interest, including the intended purpose and scope, governance and staffing needs, fiscal and legal considerations, fundraising opportunities, community interest and capacity, and potential next steps.
STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVE
Community Engagement and Social Infrastructure
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the recommended action. Should City Council direct staff to further evaluate a charitable organization, potential fiscal and staffing impacts would be evaluated based on the approach being considered and presented to the City Council as part of a future action.
ATTACHMENTS
None.