Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Grant Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission readies $100,000 in FY2026 grants; only two applications received so far
Summary
Staff told the commission the FY2026 nonprofit funding pool is $100,000, applications are due Jan. 31 (accepted through the weekend), interviews are set for March 9 and the commission will vote March 30; Begin Again Homes has forfeited $2,000, which will return to the general fund.
At the Jan. 26 meeting, Apache Junction staff told the Health and Human Services Commission that the FY2026 nonprofit funding pool is $100,000 and that just two applications had been received as of the update. The application deadline is Jan. 31; because the deadline falls on a Saturday, staff said submissions received over the weekend will be accepted and reviewed beginning Monday.
City Clerk and board liaison Evy McKinney told commissioners: "I believe the amount is gonna be a 100,000." Staff outlined the review timeline: the commission will interview applicants on March 9, meet again March 30 to determine recommended awardees and amounts, and the chair will present recommendations to the city council at a work session in April. Council typically has about six weeks to consider any changes before budget approval, which takes effect July 1.
Commissioners discussed historical application counts (up to seven in past years, five in the current fiscal year) and noted that Begin Again Homes forfeited its application this cycle because the staff person completing its form was unavailable; staff said that forfeiture returns $2,000 to the city’s general fund. Commissioners reiterated that the commission typically prioritizes organizations that demonstrate services to Apache Junction residents and noted a mix of prior award sizes, ranging from about $2,000 up to $60,000–$70,000 in individual cases.
Discussion focused on getting "bang for the buck" with limited funds: commissioners asked whether the commission should prioritize programs that produce near-term, measurable benefits (for example, backpack programs that feed students or cooling centers for people experiencing heat-related risk). Staff confirmed funds are paid beginning July 1 and dispersed quarterly. Commissioners also suggested increased publicity and periodic updates during the year about how grantees use funds to encourage future applicants.
Next steps: staff will accept weekend-filed applications through Jan. 31, conduct interviews March 9 and bring funding recommendations to the commission March 30; the chair will present recommendations to the mayor and city council in April and funds become available July 1.
