California Consulting and the City of Orinda
Successes
• California Consulting first began working with the City of Orinda to seek grant funding on May 1, 2021.
• Matthew Kamm, Project Manager, has worked with the City of Orinda since August 1, 2023.
• In total, Matt is proud to have worked with the City to raise $2,177,083 in grant funding over the past 3 years.
Grant Seeking Process
• In order to ensure that CA Consulting best meets City needs, CA Consutling hosts a Zoom meeting on the first Tuesday of every month.
• In addition to Linda Smith, regular attendees include City officials Douglas Alessio, Scott Christie, Todd Trimble, Micki Cronin, and Lashun Cross. CA Consulting attendees include Matt and Grant Specialist Sammy D’Ambrosio.
• During these meetings, CA Consulting presents grant possibilities, compares them to City needs, and decides which applications to develop and submit. • Once we decide to apply for a grant, Matt coordinates closely with appropriate City staff members (and, occasionally, community partners) to complete the grant proposals.
Grants Awarded
In total, CA has raised $2,177,083 in grant funds. Recent awards include:
• Office of Traffic Safety ($79,600), awarded on 2025/6/4 for an electronic citation system (i.e. ecitation system) for the Orinda Police Department. • MTC Transit-Oriented Communities Planning and Implementation Grants: Parking Management ($300,000), awarded on 2025/3/13 to assist in the development of a Parking and Transportation Demand Management proposal for Downtown Orinda
• CalTrans – Highway Safety Improvement Program,($1,102,680), awarded in 2025/2/21 to assist in completing 4 important traffic projects.
• CA FireSafe Council: State Fire Capacity Grant ($100,000), awarded in 7/2024 to help Fire Safe Moraga Orinda to enact a program whereby groups of residents will receive services to remove vegetation on their property to ensure it is “fire safe.” While this grant was awarded to Fire Safe Moraga Orinda, CA Consulting and the City assisted in the submittal process.
Grants Pending
• CA Office of Traffic Safety ($8,200) submitted 1/2026. The City has a pending application to develop a short video that presents important aspects of e-bike safety aimed at youth for the purpose of reducing injuries and preventing fatalities
• Cal Firesafe Council ($200,000) submitted 5/2026. This application is for activities related to fire fuels reduction.
Looking Ahead
The city is exploring the possibility of applying for grants that include:
• Active Transportation Program. Matt is working with Linda and Scott Christie to potentially identify a project related to multi-modal (non- vehicular) travel. • Urban Greening. Matt is working with Todd Trimble to potentially identify an opportunity to add more green space.
• Prop 4 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program. Matt is exploring with Todd Trimble whether it’s feasible to install pickleball courts at Wilder Park.
• CalFire Grants. These would support wildfire prevention activities.
Questions