Dozens of San Ynez Valley nonprofits present grant requests to Solvang council; council to review in budget process

City of Solvang on Tuesday heard presentations from a group of local nonprofits that applied for the city—s annual grant funding cycle. Twelve applicants summarized program needs, budgets and requested award amounts; the council did not make awards at the meeting and will review recommendations as part of the budget process.

Why it matters: Grants from the city support food distribution, services for seniors and low-income households, youth programming, cultural events and local civic festivals. Several applicants told the council federal and county funding cuts are increasing local demand at the same time many nonprofit budgets face shrinkage.

What happened: Staff said the grant application period ran Feb. 1—Mar. 31 and that, after a short courtesy extension to allow some applicants to cure missing documents, all applicants had submitted complete packages. Council heard three-minute presentations from each applicant and allowed public comment. The council did not vote on awards; staff said the Budget Ad Hoc Committee will make funding recommendations to the full council in June.

Applicants and requests: Presenters and their requests (amounts as stated in presentations; "not specified" where presenters did not provide a dollar figure during the meeting): - Atterdag at Home / Meals on Wheels: Karen Brown, director, requested $20,000 to support meal…