Avondale outlines $200,000 contributions assistance program, sets application and review timeline
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Summary
Neighborhood and Family Services presented criteria and a timeline for the city's Contributions Assistance Program, which staff said includes level funding of $200,000 for fiscal year 2026 and will open applications on April 22 with a May 15 deadline.
The Avondale City Council heard an overview April 21 of the Contributions Assistance Program, the city's annual grant process for local nonprofits that provide health and human services to Avondale residents.
Edith Baltieras, assistant director for Neighborhood and Family Services, told council that level funding of $200,000 for fiscal year 2026 is included in the proposed departmental budget. She outlined eligibility and selection criteria, highlighted that services provided at the Arizona Complete Health Avondale Resource Center will receive priority and described reporting and quarterly progress requirements for awardees.
"Level funding for fiscal year 20 26 of 200,000 is included in the proposed departmental budget," Baltieras said during the presentation.
Why it matters: the program supports nonprofits that deliver food distribution, literacy, youth services, workforce development and other direct services to vulnerable residents. Staff said the program both sustains long-standing partners and seeks to onboard new community organizations.
What staff presented
- Funding and recipients: Staff said $200,000 is budgeted for FY2026. Fiscal year 2025 had multiple awardees across services including food distribution, literacy and workforce development; the transcript did not provide an exact count of FY2025 awardees in the presentation.
- New awardees referenced: Angels on Patrol (crisis intervention referrals from law enforcement) and Foster Alliance (support for foster families with furniture and clothing) were highlighted as new partners for FY2025.
- Eligibility criteria: organizations must be 501(c)(3) entities, provide direct services that improve health and welfare of Avondale residents, be able to provide timely reports and demonstrate measurable progress, be able to generate revenue from other sources and meet or exceed a minimum funding request threshold set by the city.
- Preparation and outreach: staff hosted two grant-writing workshops in early March facilitated by Jeremiah Smith of Everyone Inc.; 25 organizations participated and 31 attendees were recorded. Staff said 11 new organizations have expressed interest in partnering with Avondale.
- Timeline: applications will be available April 22; the application deadline is May 15; submissions will be distributed to the council subcommittee on May 27; the subcommittee will meet June 18 to develop recommendations; council will consider funding approvals on July 14; award presentations are planned for August.
Council comments and next steps
Councilmembers thanked staff for the program and the grant-writing support, noting the importance of assisting newer nonprofits in preparing competitive applications. Vice Mayor Curtis Nielsen and Councilmembers Tina Conde and Jeanette Garcia were named as the council subcommittee that will review funding recommendations. Baltieras said current recipients are on track to expend FY2025 awards by June 30, 2025.
Ending: Staff will publish the application and outreach materials April 22 and proceed with the posted schedule; council did not take a final funding vote at this meeting.
