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Capitola council approves 2025–27 community grants package, reduces award maxima to fit budget
Summary
The Capitola City Council approved the ad hoc committee recommendation for the 2025–2027 community grants program, allocating $133,000 from the general fund with adjustments to grant maximums after 27 applications exceeded available funding.
The Capitola City Council on Oct. 9 approved the city’s recommended 2025–2027 community grants allocations, adopting a funding package that stays within the council-approved budget by lowering individual award limits.
City staff told the council the ad hoc subcommittee recommended awards that fit within $133,000 in general-fund support plus $49,000 set aside for early childhood and youth programming (ECYP) and $15,000 for scholarships. "Because the total funding asked for by our applicants did exceed the general fund amount for this program, there were some reductions required," a staff member summarized to the council.
The approved recommendation followed a review by the subcommittee of Councilmember Orbach and Councilmember Westman. The subcommittee received 27 applications from 24 organizations: 22 applied for general funding and five self-identified as ECYP-qualified. To fit the available funds, the subcommittee reduced outcome-grant maximums to $10,000 (from $15,000) and lowered operational grants modestly from about $7,500 to roughly $7,000.
Members of the public who spoke during the item urged continued support for youth and mental-health programs. "As a coastal community, Capitola is on the front lines of climate change...education is one of our strongest tools for resilience," Elizabeth Murphy told the council on behalf of O’Neill Sea Odyssey. Linda Kaufman, speaking on behalf of NAMI Santa Cruz County, described the local nonprofit’s work providing free family education classes, helplines and community presentations and thanked the council for continued funding.
Councilmember Jensen disclosed a board affiliation with a potential grant recipient and said the position is unpaid and not a disqualifying financial interest; Jensen then participated in the vote. The council voiced support for maximizing the number of organizations funded within the program’s categories.
The council approved the recommendation by voice vote. City staff said full application summaries and the final allocation list are included in the agenda packet and on the city’s website.
The grants program is one of several municipal funding streams; staff reminded the council that the city also directs about $280,000 in CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds to Second Harvest Food Bank and Grey Bears for food and senior services.
Council members and staff said they will communicate reporting expectations to recipients receiving reallocations, and recipients receiving more than $7,500 will be asked to provide at least one presentation per two-year term as required by the program’s parameters.
