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Council approves $1M pilot Social Action and Arts Fund with outcome reporting and capacity-building
Summary
Staff proposed a FY27 pilot allocating up to $250,000 to each of four impact areas (workforce & economic development; arts, culture & innovation; youth empowerment; food insecurity) with standardized outcome reporting and a grants-capacity building session; council approved the pilot and renamed the arts bucket 'Arts, culture and innovation.'
Janelle McGregor, director of community engagement and partnerships, outlined a proposed pilot for the Social Action and Arts Fund (SAF) that would channel up to $250,000 to each of four community impact areas (workforce & economic development; arts, culture & innovation; youth empowerment; food insecurity) for a possible total of $1,000,000 in nonprofit funding in FY27.
McGregor said the approach would tie awards to measurable outcomes (people served, geographic coverage, new vs. existing clients and participant feedback) and require standardized quarterly reporting. She also recommended a one-day Mayor's Neighborhood University session led by a grants expert to help nonprofits with grant-writing and capacity building.
Council discussed scope and whether city-run programs should be funded by SAF; staff clarified that organizations under the Michael Phillips umbrella currently receiving SAF funding could remain eligible. Councilmembers suggested a naming change; the council agreed to call the impact bucket "Arts, culture and innovation." The council then moved and approved the pilot program.
The motion passed with council direction to implement standardized reporting and a transparent application and evaluation process; staff and council indicated the application period would open September 1'30 for FY27 awards.
