Community Grants Program


I.  INTRODUCTION

Purpose:  The City of Grover Beach recognizes that nonprofit organizations can and will perform beneficial services through the granting of local funds. The purpose of the Grover Beach Community Grants Program is to provide funding of programs conducted by nonprofit organizations that actively enhance the quality of life for Grover Beach residents. For the FY 2023-24 program, the City is seeking to provide grants to nonprofit organizations which were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic or which provide programs or services specifically to respond to the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced by Grover Beach residents.

Funding: The City has allocated $50,000 in one-time funding for the FY 2023-24 Community Grants Program, using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Each eligible organization may be allocated up to $5,000 of one-time grant funding, if approved by the City Council. In no event shall the allocation of grant funds obligate the City to provide funding to any organization in the future.

II.  ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility requirements for Community Grants are indicated in the City’s Community Grants Policy (see Exhibit A). Additionally, for the FY 2023-24 Community Grants Program, applicants must demonstrate either that 1) the organization was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; or 2) the proposed projects or programs respond to the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

III.  APPLICATION PROCESS

Application Form:  Applicants must complete the FY 2023-24 Community Grants Program Application Form (see Exhibit B), including all required attachments.   Applications in other formats will not be accepted.

Application Submission:   Applications must be submitted electronically to communitygrants@groverbeach.org.   Applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 14, 2023. Postmarked, hand delivered and/or late applications will not be accepted.  No additional information will be accepted after the deadline, unless specifically requested by the City.  All costs associated with the preparation of the application will be borne solely by the applicant.  All submitted applications will be property of the City and will become public information after the submission deadline.

IV.  REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

Process:   After the submission deadline, applications will be reviewed by a review panel, comprised of City staff and community stakeholders. Applications will be scored based on criteria included in the City’s Community Grants Policy (Exhibit A).  The top scoring applications will be recommended for funding, as funds allow, to the City Council for approval. No funding will be allocated without City Council approval.

Timeline:  Below is a tentative timeline for the review and selection process:

Application Period.................................... March 13-April 14, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

Application Review Period....................... April 15-May 5, 2023

Recommendations to City Council.......... May 22, 2023

Grant Awards Announced....................... May 23, 2023

Funds Received...................................... July 1, 2023

V.  POST-FUNDING REQUIREMENTS

Organizations receiving a grant award must adhere to all post-funding requirements listed in the Community Grants Policy (Exhibit A), including providing the City with a year-end report (Exhibit C) and access to periodic reviews by the City for purposes of monitoring the program.

VI.  CONTACT 

Any questions regarding the Community Grants Program or process should be directed to the City Manager’s Office at communitygrants@groverbeach.org; 805-473-4567.

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