Orinda council opens review of nonprofit rental rates and sponsorships after school‑foundation request

Volunteers from a local school fundraising foundation asked the City of Orinda to waive rental fees or sponsor an upcoming April fundraiser at the Art and Garden Center; in response the council voted to initiate a study of nonprofit rental rates and sponsorship options.

Liz Doust, who identified herself as a longtime volunteer and former school board member involved in parcel tax campaigns, asked the city either to waive the center’s rental fee entirely for the foundation or to join as a $1,000 sponsor so the nonprofit could host its event in Orinda. "Either option would reflect the deep shared responsibility we have for maintaining the excellence of our schools," Doust said, arguing the city’s sponsorship would demonstrate support for public education and the local community.

Alicia Keenan and Emily Allen spoke earlier in the public forum on behalf of the Orinda Network for Education (the local school foundation), describing the foundation’s fundraising role and saying the foundation raises approximately $5.5 million annually to support Orinda schools. Emily Allen, who said she is the foundation’s executive director, explained that state per‑pupil funding falls short of district needs and the foundation’s local fundraising enables smaller class sizes, counselors, electives and other programs.

Parks and Recreation Director Todd Trimble described the city’s existing fee schedule for the Art and Garden Center. He said the city maintains multiple categories — commercial, private, nonprofit and special rates for school entities — and that resident nonprofit rates are roughly 50% below commercial rates and about 20% below private rates. Trimble said Orinda Network for Education (described in the transcript as "1 Orinda") would be categorized as a resident nonprofit and already receives one of the lowest approved rates.

Council members then voted to place a matter initiated on a future agenda to examine (1) sponsorship options the city could offer and (2) the structure and levels of nonprofit rental rates for city facilities. A council member made the motion to initiate review and another member seconded; the motion carried on a voice vote with "Aye" recorded.

The record shows the council’s action was limited to initiating a review; no changes to the fee schedule or a sponsorship commitment were made at the meeting. Staff (Parks and Recreation and the city manager) will prepare materials for a future agenda to describe current rates, any legal or precedent constraints on sponsorships, and options for supporting local nonprofits and school foundations.

Notes: This article summarizes public comment and the council’s matter‑initiated vote; the transcript recorded a request to either waive fees or provide a $1,000 sponsorship and included staff description of the existing fee categories and comparative discounts.