To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Trish Muller, CPA, Finance Director
Title
Discussion/Direction of Applications for the 2025 2nd Quarter Council Community Grant Program, Nine Applications
Body
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Executive Summary
The Council Community Grant Program (CCGP) has an annual budget of $16,000 funded by the Town Council Non-profit Grants account in the General Fund. The Town disburses funds for the grants quarterly in $4,000 increments to non-profit organizations within the Castle Rock community. Individual grants cap at $1,000 per request. The Town of Castle Rock Finance Department receives the applications, reviews them for eligibility, and presents the grant requests to Town Council.
The Town received seven (9) qualified applications for the 2nd Quarter CCGP (Attachment A).
This memo intends to present these applications to Council for consideration and approval.
Discussion
The General Fund acts as the source of monies for the Council Community Grant Program. Specific non-profit organizations for community-based projects receive CCGP funds. Organizations may apply on an as-needed basis, and staff reviews applications quarterly.
Eligible project areas for CCGP include projects that contribute to Castle Rock’s “quality of life” with special emphasis on programs and activities for:
• Youth
• Seniors
• Community based environment and sustainability
• Community based performing and visual arts
Attachment B lists the amounts awarded for the 2023-2025 Council Community Grant Program.
Brief Overview of Application:
The Green Thumb - Mission to cultivate an appreciation for nature and environmental stewardship through flower and plant growth via hands-on education and engagement, empowering both generations to connect with the beauty and benefits of the natural world in effort to obtain food sustainability.
The Third Meal - Millions of children in American only get 2 meals a day, Third Meal feeds them their third meal. By partnering with corporations, donors, restaurants, social workers and link them with children who need meals.
Heavy Athletics - Hosting kids from Castle View High School, Douglas County High School, Colorado Early Colleges, and Castle Rock Middle School is Colorado’s largest youth Olympic weightlifting club.
Lady Trailblazer - Helps girls dealing with the transition from adolescence into adulthood by tackling real-life challenges that help them make valuable self-discoveries.
Gridiron Club - An organization lead by parents of players that provide essential funding and support for the Castle View Football Teams. With close to 200 student athletes, valuable lessons are taught through team sports.
Castle Rock Orchestra - An adult community orchestra with many of their members residing in Castle Rock and Douglas County.
A Precious Child - Providing children and families who are challenged by poverty with resource navigation and holistic support services.
Band Booster Club - Composed solely of volunteers, the CV Band Booster’s purpose is to support the Castle View High School Band program.
Castle Country Assisted Living - A mission to provide compassionate and supportive communities for seniors
Budget Considerations
The 2025 budget includes $16,000, $4,000 available for each quarter, in the Town Council Non-profit Grants account in the General Fund for the 2025 Council Community Grant Program.
Staff Recommendation
Staff defers to council decisions on awards to applicants. Traditionally Council approves a $1,000 award to each of the non-profit organizations presented in this grant cycle, assuming consideration of a maximum of 4 applications per quarter. However, for the 1st quarter of 2025, there are seven applicants that qualify for the grant program and have asked for funding. It is council’s discretion to augment current guidelines of this grant program, or keep them the same.
Proposed Motion
“I move to award funding to the following organizations:
Alternative Motions
“I move to award funding to the following organization(s) for a different amount:
Organization (New Amount)
“I move to continue this item to the Town Council meeting on _____ date to allow additional time to (list information needed).”
Attachments
Attachment A: Applications
Attachment B: Award History