City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MARCH 24, 2026 FROM: HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION WARDS: ALL
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
SUBJECT: AWARD THREE ONE-THOUSAND-DOLLAR GRANTS TO THE ORGANIZATIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION AS PART OF THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT GRANT PROGRAM ISSUE:
Award three 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 three 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 26, 2026, following a vote with ten members present, the Human Relations Commission unanimously voted to recommend that three organizations be moved forward to the City Council for approval to award three one-thousand-dollar grants as part of the 2026 Community Support Grant program.
BACKGROUND:
On October 28, 2021, the Human Relations Commission (HRC) discussed the allocation of remaining Commission funding toward community-facing initiatives within the City of Riverside. Commissioner Ayra proposed dedicating $3,000 to establish a Community Support Grant Program to invest in nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, and community groups furthering the mission of the HRC.
On February 1, 2023, the Ad Hoc Committee Chair presented the proposed Community Support Grant Program to the Inclusiveness, Community Engagement and Governmental Processes Committee with a recommendation to forward the item to the City Council. The Committee voted to recommend approval.
At the May 2, 2023, City Council meeting, the item was pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion and returned for additional clarification regarding the application and approval process.
On June 6, 2023, staff presented an updated program framework incorporating the requested clarifications. The City Council approved the initiation of the Community Support Grant Program in partnership with Riverside’s Neighborhood Engagement Division, authorizing up to three $1,000 grants annually to eligible nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, and community groups.
On July 24, 2025, as part of its annual budget allocation discussion, the HRC voted to allocate $3,000 from its Fiscal Year 2025/2026 budget to fund the 2026 Community Support Grant cycle.
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, posting on the City social media accounts, and attending community meetings where the information was shared.
The application period for the 2026 Community Support Grant program opened on January 12, 2026, and closed on February 13, 2026. During this time, the City Manager’s Office received a total of 16 applications. The organizations that submitted a project/event for consideration are listed below:
Organization Name
Project or Event Title
1. Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation
25th Annual Empowering Young Women Conference
2. The Black Arts Museum
BAM Brings African-American Performers to Riverside Senior Citizens
3. Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California Seeking Justice Programming Series
4. Creative Kids Clubs
Arts, Enrichment Activities, and Creative Youth Activities
5. Inlandia Institute
z(I)n(E)landia
6. Islamic Academy of Riverside
I.A.R. Culture Festival Day
7. La Sierra/Arlanza Neighborhood Alliance (LANA)
Fruit Treen Pruning and Fruit Sharing Opportunities
8. Muslim Family Foundation-California
Cultural Humility Conference
9. Riverside Aquette Swim Club
Orange Blossom Invitational
10. The Rene Williams Organization
Because YOU Matter: A Grassroots Community Response
11. Training and Research Foundation
Foundations for All: Equitable Early Childhood Access in Riverside
12. Trinity Legacy Youth & Sports Foundation
Trinity Legacy Youth Leadership, Skills and Community Clinic
13. Skin Divine Cosmetics
Community Care & Confidence Grooming Initiative
14. Pure Organic Nais Spa
Empower High Students
15. 712 Tile and Shower
Riverside Unity Mosaic Project
16. Colibri
A multicultural Spring Kick-Off Event
At the HRC meeting on February 26, 2026, following a discussion, the Commissioners unanimously voted to recommend that the City Council award the Community Support Grants to the three organizations listed below:
Muslim Family Foundation-California – $1,000
712 Tile and Shower – $1,000; and
Rene Williams Foundation – $1,000
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this item is $3,000. 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.
Prepared by: Stephanie Gallegos, Principal Management Analyst Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Certified as to
availability of funds: Julie Nemes, Interim Finance Director Approved by: Edward Enriquez, Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer Approved as to form: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachment: Applications
Community Support Grant Awards ● Page 2