Topeka panel elects chair, establishes timeline for 2025 social services grants; RFP set for April 14

The Topeka Social Service Grants Committee elected Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz chair and approved a schedule that calls for a request for proposals to be released April 14 and applications due May 27 at 5 p.m. through the EC Impact portal, committee members said.

The timeline matters because the city expects to allocate about $492,000 from a mix of city general funds and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars to social service organizations this budget cycle. Committee members emphasized the workshop and technical assistance will be available to help applicants and that award recommendations will be forwarded to City Council by Aug. 1 for the city budget process.

Committee business and timeline details

The committee confirmed key dates and steps for this year’s grant round. Brett, a staff member, walked the panel through the packet and timeline, saying, “What we want to do is provide an opportunity to walk through the process of both the timeline, and, the process to ensure that this iteration of the committee is okay with the, details that were settled by, the previous social services grants…