Chandler to seek tribal pass-through grants for arts, STEM and teen crisis services

City staff on Sept. 15 told the Chandler City Council during a study session they will bring a resolution (No. 5934) forward authorizing pass-through submittals of tribal gaming grants awarded by the Gila River Indian Community to three local nonprofits.

Grants program manager Rosalind Sleet said the awards recommended for pass-through are: $20,000 to the Chandler Cultural Foundation for its Connect Kids arts programming; $20,000 to the Si Se Puede Foundation for a STEM program serving roughly 100 youth annually; and $100,000 to Teen Lifeline for crisis services and suicide-prevention outreach. Sleet said the Connect Kids expansion would enable classroom-based arts access for about 300 additional students.

Sleet cautioned that applicants must be recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofits and that organizations may also apply directly to tribal partners. “Typically, nonprofit organizations do seek grant applications or grant funding on their own. We do have information provided on our website,” Sleet said when asked about application pathways. Vice Mayor Christine Ellis asked whether the city is actively recruiting organizations or primarily serving as a pass-through; Sleet said nonprofits usually pursue grants on their own but the city supports both internal departments and external partners seeking Indian gaming grant awards.

Teen Lifeline staff presented outreach metrics used in the request: staff said Teen Lifeline has participated in more than 34 outreach events in Chandler and works with school systems and personnel, citing figures in the presentation that the organization has contact with more than 43,000 students and parents and more than 2,800 school personnel (figures provided by the applicant in the presentation).

The resolution was presented for discussion in the study session; no final council action was taken that night. Staff said the item will be placed on an upcoming council agenda for formal consideration and vote.