City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MARCH 25, 2025 FROM: HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION WARDS: ALL
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
SUBJECT: AWARD TWO ONE-THOUSAND-DOLLAR GRANTS TO THE ORGANIZATIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION AS PART OF THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT GRANT PROGRAM ISSUE:
Award two one-thousand-dollar grants to the organizations recommended by the Human Relations Commission as part of the Community Support Grant program.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve the award of two one-thousand-dollar grants to the organizations recommended by the Human Relations Commission as part of the Community Support Grant program.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
On February 27, 2025, following a vote with eleven members present, the Human Relations Commission unanimously voted to recommend that two organizations be moved forward to the City Council for approval to award two one-thousand-dollar grants as part of the 2025 Community Support Grant program.
BACKGROUND:
On October 28, 2021, the Human Relations Commission (HRC) held a discussion in which it was proposed that a portion of the funding from their existing administrative budget 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, the HRC voted to create an Ad Hoc Committee to plan and implement the Community Support Grant program.
On February 1, 2023, Ad Hoc Committee Chair Ayra presented the proposed Community Support Grant program to the Inclusiveness, Community Engagement and Governmental Processes Committee with a recommendation that the Committee forward recommendations to the City Council for approval to initiate 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 the item to a future City Council meeting with additional details added regarding the application and approval process for clarification. On June 6, 2023, the City Council approved the initiation of the Community Support Grant program by the HRC for up to three $1,000 grants annually. Following the approval, the HRC accepted applications and ultimately awarded the initial three Community Support Grants in June of 2024.
At the HRC meeting on July 25, 2024, as part of the annual budget allocation discussion, the commission voted to allocate $2,000 of its fiscal year 2024/2025 budget towards the Community Support Grant program for 2025.
DISCUSSION:
The Community Support Grant program aims to have an accessible, transparent, and accountable application process, open to as many community organizations and groups in the City as feasible within financial and reporting guidelines. In efforts to encourage organizations to apply, Commission members engaged with various community groups and organizations across Riverside. Efforts to promote the grant opportunity were made by handing out flyers, sharing on the City social media accounts, and attending community meetings where the information was shared.
The application period for the 2025 Community Support Grants opened on January 6, 2025, and closed on February 3, 2025. Nine applications were received by the City Manager’s Office. After an initial review by the HRC Grant Ad Hoc Committee, applications for the five organizations listed below were recommended to move forward in the selection process to the entire HRC.
Organization Name
Project or Event Title
Adrian Dell & Carmen Roberts Foundation
24th Annual Empowering Young Women Conference
Kalpulli Tlazolteotl
Aztec Dancing
Laundry of Love Riverside
Laundry of Love Outreach
The Black Collective
The Underground Railroad
Love and Nurture Initiative
Children’s Health Fair ADELANTE
At the HRC meeting on February 27, 2025, Commissioners were presented with the Community Support Grant applications for review and selection. Following a discussion, the Commissioners voted to recommend that the City Council award the Community Support Grants to the two organizations listed below.
Adrian Dell & Carmen Roberts Foundation - $1,000
Laundry of Love Riverside - $1,000
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 Grant program is open to applications from all eligible Riverside organizations 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 organizations to provide community programs, events, and services.
Innovation – The Community Support Grant program utilizes varied methods to reach potential applicants, including social media.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The Community Support Grant program contributes to resiliency by serving groups committed to supporting the community through current and future programs, events, and services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this item is $2,000. The funds are allocated in the HRC’s annual administrative budget and are available in the General Fund, City Manager-Admin, Human Relations Commission account 1100000-450051. Staff will work with the Finance Department to review future budget allocations.
Prepared by: Krystelle Schneider, Senior Management Analyst Certified as to
Availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Jack Liu, Interim City Attorney
Community Support Program Grant Awards ● Page 2