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Arvada advisory committee recommends funding 20 nonprofits from $260,000 human services pool
Summary
The Arvada Human Services Advisory Committee recommended awarding 20 of 28 applicants from a $260,000 fund, raising the minimum award to $5,000 to focus impact; total requests exceeded available funds, prompting questions from council about specific allocations to regional vs. local providers.
Carrie Espinosa, Arvada’s housing manager, presented the Human Services Fund overview and the advisory committee’s 2025 award recommendations, saying the program supports local nonprofits that provide services to low- and moderate‑income Arvada residents and that funding for the pool includes $110,000 from the general fund, $75,000 from HODAG and $75,000 from CDBG.
Laura Andes, chair of the Human Services Advisory Committee, told council the committee received more applications than in past years and prioritized proposals that improved housing outcomes, supported vulnerable populations, and addressed food security and behavioral health. Andes said the committee raised the minimum award to $5,000 to concentrate limited dollars on higher‑impact grants and recommended funding 20 of 28 applicants.
Council members pressed the committee on how scores translated to awards. Mayor Pro Tem Mormon asked why some projects with higher scores were not selected; Andes said the committee considered duplicative services, multiple applications from the same organization (funding the stronger application), and other non‑city funding sources when making decisions. The committee cited impact and duplication as key tiebreakers.
Council member Pfeiffer questioned a full award to Food Bank of the Rockies while other local providers, including the Community Table, received smaller shares. The committee said Community Table applied in two categories and received funding for a financial assistance program, and that Food Bank of the Rockies submitted a strong application for services that differed from other local offerings. Pfeiffer asked staff to revisit and provide more detail on how the Food Bank’s award will benefit Arvada residents.
Council member Ferre asked whether recent large private donations influenced awards (members referenced a $1,000,000 donation to Hope House). Staff clarified that the large private gift discussed was for capital construction—a new child care facility—rather than ongoing operations, and that outside funding was one factor among many in the committee’s deliberations.
The council thanked committee members and staff for their work; no formal vote was taken at the workshop and the recommendations will be presented at a future business meeting for approval.
