TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: MELISSA VOLLARO, RECREATION AND HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR
DATE: NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
2026 COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION GENERAL SERVICES AND HOMELESS SERVICES/CRITICAL NEED PROGRAM FUNDING (FUNDING SOURCE: AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT)
Body
SUMMARY
The Community Based Organization (CBO) Grant Program provides financial assistance to nonprofit agencies that deliver critical services to Claremont residents. Two funding categories exist: General Services and Homeless Services/Critical Need. The General Services category funds programs that strengthen the social, family, and/or economic fabric of the Claremont community. The Homeless Services/Critical Need category funds programs that provide critical needs and services to individuals who are currently homeless or may be at risk of becoming homeless.
The Community and Human Services Commission reviewed 19 applications for the 2026 funding year for General Services funding and 12 applications for Homeless Services/Critical Need funding. The Commission recommends that $100,500 in available General Services funds be distributed to 18 applicants and $60,000 in Homeless Services/Critical Need funds to 11 applicants identified in Attachment A.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council review and approve the 2026 Community Based Organization (CBO) funding recommendations made by the Community and Human Services Commission, consisting of $100,500 for General Services programs, and $60,000 for Homeless Services/Critical Need programs, listed in Attachment A to the report.
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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. For the last four years, the CBO program has been funded by ARPA. As this is the final year that ARPA funding is available, the source for future CBO funding will be determined in the development of the 2026-28 Budget.
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. 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.
City staff distributed a request for applications in July 2025 to all grant applicants who had applied for funding over the last two years. City staff also distributed applications to a list of organizations that had contacted the City to express interest in applying for the program. 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.
Eighteen agencies submitted 19 applications for General Service grants, requesting a total of $171,406 with $100,500 in available funding. Eleven agencies submitted 12 applications for Homeless Services/Critical Need grants for a total of $137,500, with $60,000 in available funding.
In September 2025, the Community and Human Services Commission was given agency applications to review and submit requests for additional information from applicants and selected an ad hoc committee to review applications. At its October 2025 meeting, staff presented the Commission with a report with the additional information requested from agencies. A Commission-appointed ad hoc committee met later that month to review all applications and make funding recommendations. On November 5, 2025, the Commission met to review the ad hoc committee’s recommendations, discuss funding allocations, and provide the funding recommendations to the City Council as outlined in Attachment A.
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 residents or students, other programs served relatively few, but were considered to be deeply impactful for those recipients.
General Services
The current budget allocates $100,500 to General Services programs. The Community and Human Services Commission has recommended funding a majority, but not all the eligible programs for the 2026 calendar year. Funding recommendations for General Services 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 a majority, but not all the eligible programs for the 2026 calendar year. The current budget allocates $60,000 to Homeless Services/Critical Need programs. Funding recommendations for Homeless Services/Critical Need 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 November 5, 2025, meeting, the Community and Human Services Commission reviewed and approved the ad hoc committee’s 2026 CBO funding recommendations, as outlined in Attachment A, and forwarded them to the City Council for final consideration. An excerpt from the draft meeting minutes is provided in 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 - 2026 CBO General and Homeless Program Summary and Funding Recommendations
B - Excerpt from the Draft 11-05-25 Community and Human Services Commission Meeting Minutes