City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: APRIL 23, 2024 FROM: HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION WARDS: ALL
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
SUBJECT: APPROVAL TO AWARD THREE ONE THOUSAND DOLLAR GRANTS TO THE ORGANIZATIONS SELECTED BY THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION AS PART OF THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT GRANT PROGRAM ISSUE:
Approval to award three one-thousand-dollar grants to the organizations selected by the Human Relations Commission as part of the Community Support Grant program.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve the award of three one-thousand-dollar grants to the organizations selected by the Human Relations Commission as part of the Community Support Grant program.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
On March 28, 2024, following a vote, with twelve members present, the Human Relations Commission recommended that the City Council approve the award of three one-thousand-dollar grants to the organizations selected.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Riverside Human Relations Commission (HRC) held a discussion at the monthly Commission meeting on October 28, 2021, in which members provided feedback on an earlier request from Commissioner Barth to submit allocation proposals for the remaining $5,000 in HRC funding on various community facing initiatives within the City of Riverside. Commissioner Ayra proposed that $3,000 of existing funding be allocated towards Community Support Grants to invest in non-profits, community-based organizations, and community organizations that were furthering the mission of the HRC within the City of Riverside.
On March 24, 2022, Commissioners voted to create a separate Ad Hoc Committee, comprised of Commissioners Ayra, Scoggins, and Shirley, to plan and implement the Community Support Grants. The Ad Hoc Committee developed the grant application and grant rubric, as well as brainstormed marketing and outreach efforts to make the application accessible to as many Riverside community members and organizations as possible. A proposal was presented to the HRC and approved to move forward with a presentation to the Inclusiveness, Community Engagement and Governmental Processes Committee for review and a request to forward recommendations to City Council for approval and initiation of the program.
On February 1, 2023, Ad Hoc Committee Chair, Ayra presented the proposed Community Support Grants Program to the Inclusiveness, Community Engagement and Governmental Processes Committee with a recommendation that the Committee forward recommendations to the City Council for approval and initiation of the program. Following discussion, the Inclusiveness, Community Engagement, and Governmental Processes Committee, with Chair Cervantes and Member Conder present, voted to recommend that the City Council approve the initiation of the Community Support Grant Program.
At the May 2, 2023, City Council meeting, this item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by Councilmember Perry for discussion, and a motion was made to bring this item to a future City Council meeting with additional details added to the application and approval process for clarification.
On June 6, 2023, an update was provided to the City Council that included the additional details requested added to the application and approval process. The City Council approved the initiation of the Community Support Grant program by the HRC in partnership with Riverside’s Neighborhood Engagement Division, for up to three $1,000 grants annually to nonprofits, community-based organizations, and community organizations.
Following the approval to initiate the grant program Commission members engaged with various community groups and organizations across Riverside in efforts to promote the grant opportunity. Commission members and the Neighborhood Engagement group handed out in-person flyers, shared on social media and attended community meetings where the information was shared.
The application period for the Community Support Grant opened on November 1, 2023, and concluded on February 16, 2024, following a two-week extension. Eleven applications were received by the Neighborhood Engagement Division. After an initial review by Neighborhood Engagement staff, applications for the five programs listed in the chart below were deemed to be qualified based on the program guidelines.
Organization Name
Project Title
Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center (RARCC)
Let's Talk About Advocating for Social Change in Riverside County Civil Rights Institute
Working Coachella - Sunday Series
Girls on the Run Riverside
Promoting Inclusion through Girls on the Run
My Learning Studio OUTREACH
Reading+Math=Fun!
Multicultural Council of the RMA (MCC)
Youth Day of Inclusion 2024 (DOI)
At the HRC meeting on March 28, 2024, Commissioners were presented with the five qualified applications. Following a discussion, the Commissioners voted to award the Community Support Grant funds to the three organizations listed below.
Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center (RARCC)
Civil Rights Institute
Multicultural Council of the RMA (MCC)
DISCUSSION:
If approved by the Council, the Neighborhood Engagement Division will send letters of approval and/or denial to all applicants and process payment for the Community Support Grant award recipients. Following receipt and use of the funds, recipients will submit a final report with backup documentation to the Neighborhood Engagement Division highlighting how the funds were used. The reports from the organizations will be forwarded to the HRC.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority 2 – Community Well-Being and Goal 2.4 – Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust.
The item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The Community Support Grant program supports community programs and opportunities that benefit the City of Riverside.
Equity – The Community Support program is inclusive to all eligible community members and provides funding opportunities to support their efforts.
Fiscal Responsibility – The Community Support Grant program uses existing budget allocations for the HRC repurposed for all eligible community members to provide community programs, events, and services.
Innovation – The Community Support Grant program uses partnerships to support local groups to extend and enhance programs/services.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The Community Support Grant program serves groups committed to supporting the community through current and future programs, events, and services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is $3,000. The funds are budgeted as part of the HRC annual $5,000 allocation and are available in the General Fund, Mayor-Community Relations, Human Relations Commission account 0120000-450051.
Prepared by: Krystelle Schneider, Senior Management Analyst Certified as to
Availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Rafael Guzman, Assistant City Manager
Approved
as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Community Support Grant Applications
Community Support Grant Applications Approved by HRC
Community Support Program Grant Awards ● Page 2