TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: MELISSA VOLLARO, RECREATION AND HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR
DATE: NOVEMBER 26, 2024
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
2025 COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION GENERAL SERVICES AND HOMELESS SERVICES/CRITICAL NEED PROGRAM FUNDING (FUNDING SOURCE: AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUND)
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SUMMARY
The Community Based Organization (CBO) Grant Program provides financial assistance to non-profit agencies that deliver critical services to Claremont residents. Two funding categories exist, General Services and Homeless Services/Critical Need. The Community and Human Services Commission has reviewed 27 applications for General Services funding and 11 applications for Homeless Services/Critical Need funding. The Commission recommends that $100,000 in available General Services funds be distributed to 19 applicants and $60,000 in Homeless Services/Critical Need funds to 11 applicants identified in the attachment.
The General Services category funds programs which strengthen the social, family, and/or economic fabric of the Claremont community. The Homeless Services/Critical Need category funds programs that assist in the prevention of homelessness and provides critical needs and services to individuals who are currently homeless or may be at risk of becoming homeless.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council review and approve the 2025 Community Based Organization (CBO) funding recommendations made by the Community and Human Services Commission, consisting of $100,000 for General Services programs, and $60,000 for Homeless Services/Critical Need programs.
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ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the staff recommendation, there are the following alternatives:
A. Amend the funding recommendations.
B. Request additional information from staff.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The CBO Program was established by the Claremont City Council in 1989 and assigned to the Human Services Commission (now the Community and Human Services Commission) to review and allocate funds annually to nonprofits serving the Claremont community. On May 10, 2022, the City Council voted to authorize funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to fund the CBO program. ARPA will fund the 2025 CBO program and will continue to fund the CBO program through 2026.
The staff cost to prepare this report and administer the program is estimated to be $2,212 and is included in the operating budget of the Recreation and Human Services Department.
ANALYSIS
The City’s Community Based Organization Grant Program has two primary components, which are an annual application process, and an on-site evaluation for approved grant programs.
City staff distributed a request for applications in July 2024 to all grant applicants who had applied for funding during the last two years the program was active. City staff also distributed applications to a list of organizations who had contacted the City to express interest in applying for the program and to a list of nonprofit organizations that serve the Claremont community. A press release was posted on the City of Claremont’s website and sent to local newspapers, and the information was posted on the City’s social media accounts.
Twenty-five agencies submitted twenty-seven applications for General Service grants. They requested a total of $422,700 for $100,000 in available funding. Ten agencies submitted 11 applications for Homeless Services/Critical Need grants. They requested a total of $111,500 for the $60,000 in available funding for Homeless Services/Critical Need grants.
In September 2024, the Community and Human Services Commission was given agency applications to review and submit requests for additional information from applicants. At their October 2024 meeting, the Commission was presented with its requested information from agencies. The appointed ad hoc then met to give recommendations on the applications. At a special meeting on November 6, 2024, the Commission met to discuss funding allocations, consider the grant proposals, and develop the funding recommendations.
Proposals were evaluated based on criteria that included the number of Claremont residents or students served, how the proposed programs aligned with City Council Priorities, and how well the program fit the current needs of the community. While some of the recommended programs served a large group of local residents or students, other programs served relatively few but were considered to be deeply impactful for those recipients.
General Services
The current budget allocates $100,000 to General Services programs. The Community and Human Services Commission has recommended funding a majority, but not all the eligible programs for the 2024 calendar year. Recipients, programs, funding requests, and funding recommendations are outlined in Attachment A.
Homeless Services/Critical Need
The current budget allocates $60,000 to Homeless Services/Critical Need programs. The Community and Human Services Commission has recommended funding all eligible programs for the 2024 calendar year. The current budget allocates $60,000 to Homeless Services/Critical Need programs. The Community and Human Services Commission has recommended funding all eligible programs for the 2024 calendar year. Recipients, programs, funding requests, and funding recommendations are outlined in Attachment A.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
COUNCIL COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REVIEW
At its October 2, 2024, meeting, the Community and Human Services Commission discussed the CBO funding criteria process, and at its November 6, 2024, special meeting, the Commission made funding recommendations and agreed to forward the 2025 calendar year funding requests listed in Attachment A to the City Council for final consideration and approval.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Melissa Vollaro Michelle Castillo
Recreation and Human Services Director Management Analyst
Attachments:
A - 2025 CBO Funding Recommendation Spreadsheet
B - Draft Excerpt of the 11-06-24 CHS Commission Special Meeting Minutes