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County consolidates community grants, recommends $500,000 supplement and partners with Marin Funders Network
Summary
Staff proposed combining two county grant programs into a single $1.25 million program and recommended adding a $500,000 one‑time supplement from unallocated funds; the county is coordinating with the Marin Funders Network to align philanthropic and county funding.
Marin County staff told supervisors on May 21 that the county will consolidate its existing community service and nonprofit partnership grants into a single community grants program and expects to bring a formal recommendation with application and funding details later this summer.
Program design and funding: staff said the consolidated program would open with a single application and an initial program total of $1,250,000. Staff recommended the board consider a one‑time addition of $500,000 from currently unallocated funds to bring the program allocation to approximately $1.7 million, leaving about $400,000 in unallocated funds for future decisions or contingencies.
Timeline: staff said they plan to release an application period after board approval and to return with project funding recommendations in fall or winter 2025, with final program details to be finalized by the end of the calendar year.
Marin Funders Network: staff described a new coordination effort called the Marin Funders Network, which includes the county, the Marin Community Foundation and several family foundations and local jurisdictions. The network will work to align funding priorities and identify where county, philanthropic and private dollars can be leveraged for the greatest impact. Jamila Jordan, director of the Office of Equity, said the network aims to align priorities because ‘‘even if we pulled all of our resources, we still couldn't meet the needs that exist currently." She described the network as a way to be more thoughtful and strategic about allocating limited funds.
CDBG: staff also noted the county's Community Development Block Grant allocation decreased by $66,000 this year and that the reduced federal allocation affects partners who rely on CDBG.
Supervisor concerns and communications: supervisors asked staff to notify nonprofit partners about program changes and to clarify how the grants differ from existing county contracts. Staff told the board that grants are intended for discrete projects rather than ongoing contract services, and that staff will provide a provider map showing which nonprofit organizations deliver services under county contract.
Ending: staff will return with formal application materials and a recommended award schedule; supervisors emphasized the need for prompt distribution of funds to nonprofits facing near‑term fiscal pressures.
