TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: MELISSA VOLLARO, RECREATION AND HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR
DATE: JUNE 10, 2025
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
REVISIONS TO THE GRANT ALLOCATION POLICY FOR THE COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION GENERAL SERVICES AND HOMELESS SERVICES/CRITICAL NEED PROGRAM (FUNDING SOURCE: AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT)
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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. In 2025, $100,000 was available in the General Services category to fund programs that strengthen the social, family, or economic fabric of the Claremont community. An additional $60,000 was budgeted for Homeless Services/Critical Need grants to assist programs that serve those who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or in need of critical services. The CBO Grant Program plays an important role in providing vital services to Claremont residents through community partnerships.
In December 2024, the Community and Human Services Commission suggested that the Grant Allocation Policy be revised to include additional criteria to clarify the types of organizations that are eligible for funding. The Commission gave specific suggestions and asked staff to bring back a revised version for its review and feedback.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
The Community and Human Services Commission recommends the City Council approve the revisions to the Community Based Organization Grant Allocation Policy.
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the staff recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information from staff.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The current CBO Grant Program budget includes $100,000 for General Services and $60,000 for Homeless Services/Critical Need. The staff cost to prepare this report and administering the program is estimated to be $2,212 and is included in the operating budget of the Recreation and Human Services Department.
ANALYSIS
The CBO Program was established by the Claremont City Council in 1989 and assigned to the Community and Human Services Commission to review and make funding recommendations to the City Council annually to nonprofits serving the Claremont community. The program is currently funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). In November 2024, the City Council approved the Inter-agency Agreement (IAA) with the Recreation and Human Services Department to obligate these funds according to the Obligation Interim Final Rule requirements from the US Treasury. The IAA was executed prior to December 31, 2024, to meet the obligation deadline for ARPA Funds.
For the 2025 CBO funding year, the program received requests from 38 agencies requesting a total of $534,200 in funding. From a recommendation from the Commission, the City Council voted to fund 29 of those agencies, with a total of $160,000 awarded from both the General Services and Homeless Services/Critical Need categories.
In December 2024, the Commission asked to agendize the CBO funding process to discuss revisions to the CBO Grant Allocation Policy. These changes, included in Attachment A, include a maximum amount of funding that agencies can request, eligibility criteria for groups that are considering applying, and clarification of criteria for Claremont residents served. It also included appointing an Ad Hoc Committee to review CBO applications every September, who would then meet in October to make funding recommendations that would be presented to the Commission at its regular November meeting to review and discuss before forwarding the recommendation to the City Council for final funding allocations.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
COUNCIL COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REVIEW
At its meeting on May 7, 2025, the Community and Human Services Commission discussed the CBO Grant Allocation Policy with proposed changes, modified them, and recommended to forward the revised documents to the City Council for final consideration and approval. An excerpt of the Commission meeting minutes is included as Attachment B.
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 - Grant Allocation Policy with Proposed Changes
B - Excerpt from the draft 5-07-25 CHS Commission Meeting Minutes