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City approves reduced nonprofit grant pool amid budget pressure; applicants urge continued support
Summary
The council approved staff's recommended nonprofit funding package for FY2025-26, allocating $74,948 from the city's grant program and continuing review of three expiring three-year service agreements, after hearing appeals from nonprofit representatives.
The City Council considered 25 nonprofit grant applications totaling $268,709 and a separate set of three-year service agreements for Rhianda House, the Boys & Girls Club and UpValley Family Centers (each previously funded at $30,000 per year). Given the city's budget constraints, Mayor and Vice Mayor working-group recommendations trimmed the annual competitive grant pool from a typical $125,000 to $74,948 for FY2025-26.
Director of Administrative Services Mandy Kellogg told the council the three service-agreement recipients' agreements will expire June 30 and staff included a proposed approach to renewing or replacing those memoranda as part of the budget process. Applicants and nonprofit representatives spoke in support of funding, describing services from a community garden to childcare, senior services, medical and dental clinics and youth programming. UpValley Family Centers, the St. Helena Cooperative Nursery School and the hospital foundation each outlined how city grants leverage other external funding.
After brief council discussion acknowledging the constraints of the city's budget, Councilmember Barrick moved to adopt staff's recommendation for the FY2025-26 nonprofit grant allocations and the motion passed on roll call. Councilmembers said they would reassess funding in future budgets as the fiscal outlook evolves.
Why it matters: Nonprofit grants fund a range of social services and community programs. In a year of tight municipal finances, the city kept a reduced competitive pool and will address expiring three-year agreements in the budget process while urging continued private and philanthropic support of local nonprofits.
