November 26, 2024
Library and Community Services
DATE: November 26, 2024
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
LaShonda White, Deputy City Manager - Community
Services
Ranjana Maharaj, Deputy Director of Community
Services-Recreation
Stephanie Ny, Associate Administrative Analyst
Subject: Contract with Richmond Community Foundation for Fiscal Sponsorship of Neighborhood Council Events and
Projects
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $250,000 expenditure is funded by the Local Government: Connecting Neighbors to Neighbors
grant from the State of California, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. The expenditure is included in
the within the approved fiscal year 2024-2025 budget
(10651051-400201-25004).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
April 16, 2024
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
As part of the Local Government: Connecting Neighbors
to Neighbors grant, neighborhood councils will receive
direct funding to host projects and events that engage
their neighbors. The Community Services Department,
Recreation Division is requesting City Council approval of a contract with Richmond Community Foundation to
serve as a fiscal sponsor and pass-through funds to
neighborhood councils.
AGENDA
REPORT
November 26, 2024
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a grant-funded contract with Richmond
Community Foundation for neighborhood engagement in
an amount not to exceed $250,000, and for a term
commencing December 1, 2024 and ending December
31, 2025. – Community Services Department (Stephanie
Ny 510-620-6563/LaShonda White 510-620-6828).
DISCUSSION:
On April 16, 2024, the City Council adopted a resolution to accept and appropriate the Local Government: Connecting Neighbors to Neighbors (“Neighbor-to-Neighbor) grant in the amount of $750,000 from State of California, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research to support neighborhood engagement. The City of Richmond is one of nine agencies selected through a statewide competitive process. The grant is being administered by the Community Services Department, Recreation Division (“Recreation”).
The Neighbor-to-Neighbor program seeks to build on evidence-based practices to create strong networks in and across neighborhoods that support one another as well as jointly tackle shared community challenges. The grant priorities include mitigating community isolation, increasing volunteer participation, and improving social connectedness. More information on the Neighbor-to-Neighbor grant can be found at:
https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4681/Neighbor-to-Neighbor
Through December 2025, neighborhood councils will plan approximately 80 neighborhood events that align with these priorities. Through the grant, eligible events include:
Community engagement events, such as a large-scale public workshop or back- to-school fair, that are focused on neighborhood support and recognition. Climate action or disaster preparedness activities, such as tree planting or home gardening.
Local volunteer opportunities, such as community garden work, food distribution, or a neighborhood clean-up that leverages parks and community facilities. Training opportunities addressing environmental or resiliency issues specific to the neighborhood, such as earthquake preparedness, wildfire response, and first aid/CPR.
Grant deliverables completed to date include:
Six kickoff parties hosted by 8 neighborhood councils Two other neighborhood events
Development and administration of the Neighbor-to-Neighbor survey to gather feedback on social connectedness, neighborhood events, and emergency preparedness
November 26, 2024
Administration of 6 neighborhood focus groups to further discuss social connectedness on the neighborhood level and priorities for neighborhood events and projects
Fiscal Sponsor Selection Process
To facilitate direct access to funds for neighborhood councils, Recreation solicited qualifications from four Richmond nonprofit organizations to serve as fiscal sponsors for a fiscal sponsorship fee of $26,000. Of the four organizations, two declined to participate, and one did not respond, leaving the Richmond Community Foundation (RCF Connects) as the only organization to accept the role.
Organization Response
Pogo Park Declined
West Contra Costa Public Education Fund Declined
Neighborhood Housing Services No response
Richmond Community Foundation Accepted
RCF Connects’ mission is to mobilize the power of connection to build healthy, thriving, and equitable communities. For years, RCF Connects has led innovative initiatives in partnership with the City of Richmond and has fiscally sponsored numerous community projects.
For the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program, RCF Connects will serve as a fiscal sponsor for neighborhood councils, passing through funds to the neighborhood councils. City staff request City Council approval of the contract with RCF Connects, which will ensure Neighbor-to-Neighbor events and projects can be executed efficiently by neighborhood councils through December 2025.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Contract with Richmond Community Foundation