The Caldwell City Council unanimously approved resolution 408‑25 on Dec. 1, 2025, authorizing $75,000 in community relations grants to local organizations.

Finance staff said the city budgeted $75,000 for the grant program, which accepted applications from April through August. A scoring committee evaluated submissions and recommended awards based on alignment with city priorities: strengthening community connections, promoting youth and family engagement, public safety and community wellness. Staff said grantees will be required to provide a written update after the first year on how funds were spent.

During a staff presentation, the proposed awards listed by staff included the Salvation Army ($15,000), Veterans Council ($15,000), Genesis ($10,743), Casa ($9,612), Meals on Wheels or comparable senior meal services ($10,000), Caldwell Fine Arts ($5,500) and other smaller awards. Staff said some applicants tied in scoring but ran up against the $75,000 program cap; one tied application (Boys and Girls Club) was not funded because the budget was exhausted.

Councilor Allgood asked whether applicants requested specific dollar amounts; staff confirmed each application included a requested amount within the program limits and that the grant allowed requests from $500 up to a $15,000 maximum. “So all of the applications were for specific dollar amounts,” staff said.

Councilor Allgood moved to approve the resolution and the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Council staff framed the program as intended to increase transparency and fairness in dispersing small community grants; the council chair thanked finance staff for administering the review process. The council did not amend award amounts at the meeting.

The council’s action directs city staff to finalize grant letters and implements the one‑year reporting requirement for recipients. The city will incorporate the awards into its accounting and follow up if grantees do not submit the required report.