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Red Bank awards $58,000 in ARPA microgrants to 11 local nonprofits
Summary
The city reported recommendations from its Nonprofit Citizens Advisory Board to distribute ARPA microgrants totaling roughly $58,000 to 11 local nonprofits; MOUs and project summaries were provided and several grantees described planned uses.
City staff presented the Nonprofit Citizens Advisory Board’s recommendations to award American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) microgrants to 11 local nonprofit organizations for FY2025. The board recommended grants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 to fund programs including food pantry refrigeration, arts and instruction, ESL and parent supports, school gardens, stream restoration, and animal spay/neuter subsidies.
Staff said the awards stem from a multiyear ARPA spending strategy adopted in 2022 that set aside approximately $150,000 for nonprofit initiatives over three years. The advisory board evaluated 20 applications and recommended 11 awards. Each recommended award is paired with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the city and the nonprofit; the MOUs and concise award summaries were included in the work session packet.
Among the recommended awards: Red Bank Community Food Pantry (recommended $10,000) for refrigeration and food purchase; Downside Up (recommended $5,000) and La Paz Chattanooga (recommended $5,000) to support community services including ESL and family supports; Learning Gardens at Red Bank Elementary (recommended $5,000) for accessible garden beds and sensory elements; Waterways (recommended $5,000) for restoration work on Stringers Branch; Be The Change Youth Initiative (recommended $4,000); Just the Right Purpose (recommended $4,000); Northside Neighborhood House (recommended $4,000) for community school coordination; Vision of Mercy (recommended $4,000) for food and outreach; Red Bank High School Lions Band (recommended $2,000) for private instruction opportunities; and Tennessee Humane Animal League (recommended $2,000) to subsidize spay/neuter surgeries for low‑income residents.
Representatives from several awardees described planned spending: a food pantry representative said funds would help secure refrigerators for eggs and milk and pay related electrical costs; a Learning Gardens representative described nearly 50 raised beds and plans to add shade and accessible beds; Tennessee Humane Animal League staff said funds would subsidize spay/neuter surgeries for low‑income Hamilton County residents.
Mr. Grama said the advisory board had done a ‘‘heavy lift’’ reviewing applications and that the awards reflect community needs. Staff noted MOUs for each recommended award are included in the packet; the resolution presented would authorize execution of the awards and MOUs. The work session did not record a formal vote; staff invited grantees to provide brief remarks and recommended the resolution be placed on the regular meeting agenda for approval.
Next steps: staff said each recommended award will be governed by an MOU that sets program requirements and reporting; the city will return to the regular meeting for formal action.
