The Sunnyvale Community Event and Neighborhood Grant Subcommittee voted to recommend staff's proposed 2026 funding allocations to the full City Council after a review of 2025 activity and questions from members and residents.

Angela Chan, Recreation Services Manager, presented the staff report and outlined several changes for 2026: total program funding will increase to $250,000 (up from about $48,000 this year); the grant cycle will run in two rounds (a fall cycle that can allocate up to 80% of funds and a spring cycle to allocate the remaining 20%); a third tier of neighborhood-grant awards was added; and a separate block-party application was introduced. "This slide provides a review of the number of applications received, funding requested, and awarded over 3 years," Chan said, and she noted staff increased the cap for city support of community events from 40% to 50% of an event's budget under the new 2026 guidelines.

Chan described staff's approach to recommendations: they calculate a funding gap (event cost minus projected revenue) and set awards to close that gap rather than to generate income. She told the subcommittee the fall cycle would allocate up to about $120,000 and that any applications received after the fall deadline would automatically roll into the spring cycle. On individual applicants, Chan said staff's running recommendation was to fund 50% of the Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area event budget despite the society's larger request, and that staff recommended funding some community events that did not meet the 500-attendance guideline because of available funds and program priorities.

Neighborhood leaders who spoke during the public hearing commended the changes. "I cannot thank you enough, all of you, especially staff, for supporting the initiatives that I put forth," said Valerie Suarez, chair of the Snail Neighborhood, praising the three-tier structure and increased award levels. Max Moore, coordinator for the Heron Avenue Block Party, told the subcommittee his event drew about 120 people and thanked staff for creating a block-party application; he asked whether the same block could submit more than one block-party application in a year and was told staff would follow up by email with guidance.

The subcommittee also discussed the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce application. Staff made no recommendation for the Chamber because the event budget projected revenue; staff asked the subcommittee to decide whether to fund the Chamber this cycle or consider it in the spring if additional fundraising falls short.

A motion to approve "Alternative 1," which would forward the recommended 2026 funding levels and summary tables to the City Council, was made and seconded. Before the roll call, a subcommittee member announced they would abstain because one of the recommended recipients is Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church and the member is a congregant; the member said they receive no compensation and are not involved in the church's decision-making. After the roll call the recording officer announced the motion passed with two yes votes and one abstention.

The subcommittee's recommendation now goes to the full City Council for final approval. Staff said they will notify applicants of the results and provide details about reimbursement and reporting requirements if the council concurs with the subcommittee's recommendations.

Details to note: total program funding for 2026 is $250,000; the fall cycle can allocate up to 80% (~$120,000) with the remainder reserved for spring; community events may receive up to 50% of an event's budget; staff recommended funding for Duo Duo and recommended funding 50% of the Autism Society request despite the society's larger ask; the Chamber of Commerce application received no staff recommendation because of projected event revenue.