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El Mirage establishes competitive nonprofit grant program, council adopts R26-04-03
Summary
Council adopted a new Community Partnership Grant Program to fund one-time, competitive awards (up to $10,000 each) for nonprofits providing direct services to El Mirage residents; staff will manage application screening and a council-appointed review committee will provide advisory recommendations.
The El Mirage Common Council voted April 7 to adopt Resolution R26-04-03, establishing the El Mirage Community Partnership Grant Program, a one-time competitive grant process aimed at nonprofits that provide direct health and human services to city residents.
Community Partnerships Administrator Reagan Jepsen explained the program structure: annual funding is set during the council budget process, awards are one-time within a single fiscal year, and individual awards will be capped at $10,000 per program or project. Applicants must be verified nonprofits demonstrating direct service to El Mirage residents, financial capacity, measurable outcomes and timely reporting. City staff will screen applications for eligibility and completeness; a council-appointed review committee will evaluate and make nonbinding recommendations to council under an approved scoring rubric.
Council members asked about committee composition, applicant reporting and whether residents would serve on the review committee. Several council members praised the rubric and accountability measures; Council Member Norton McDaniel voiced concern that the final authority for awards rests with council and urged adherence to rubric scoring as a safeguard against personal bias. Jepsen said staff will provide a standard reporting template for awardees and the council will have opportunities to refine the process after the first cycle.
Council approved the resolution by motion; the program will require future administrative actions (selection of review committee, release of a notice of funding opportunity, and an application period) and all funding will be subject to annual appropriation.
