To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Trish Muller, CPA, Finance Director
Title
Discussion/Direction of Applications for the 2024 4th Quarter Council Community Grant Program, Ten 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 ten (10) qualified applications for the 4th 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 2022-2024 Council Community Grant Program.
Brief Overview of Application:
Max W Donahue VFW Post 12230 proudly represents the Castle Rock community and veterans.
Their mission is to foster camaraderie among honorably discharged veterans who have served in a war, campaign or expedition on foreign soil or in hostile waters; to serve our veterans, the military and civilian communities; to advocate on behalf of all our veterans and ensure they are receiving the
benefits they have earned.
American Legion Post 1187 - The American Legion Post 1187 is seeking funds to aid Castle Rock students in attending nearby colleges of their preference to understand the workings of local, state, and national governments. The requested funds will assist in covering participation fees, travel expenses, and accommodation for students participating in the oratorical program.
Help & Hope Center - Help & Hope Center, a human services organization, is requesting funds to offset special event fees for the Turkey Rock Trot, the biggest Thanksgiving 5k event outside of Denver.
The After Prom Committee at Douglas County High School is comprised of parent volunteers who are planning and hosting the After Prom event taking place on April 5, 2025.
The All Veterans Honor Guard is an all-volunteer organization that is made up of Veterans. They provide final military honors at Veterans and Military Retirees funerals. An Honor Guard is a team of Veterans that provides: 1) a rifle detail (for firing of the three volleys or what you may call a 21-gun salute); 2) a bugler to play taps; 3) a commander and chaplain to conduct a service; 4) and two uniformed personnel to fold the flag and present it to the next of kin.
Twilight Wish Foundation is to honor and enrich the lives of seniors through intergenerational
Twilight Wish celebrations. The vision is to make the world a nicer place to age, one Twilight Wish at a time. A Twilight Wish granted recognizes seniors for all that they have done throughout their lives and shows them they are appreciated and of value to society. Wishes can connect a senior to many things: a lost passion, people they haven't seen in years such as siblings separated for over ten years being reunited in their 90s; and rediscovering their purpose in life such as returning to the classroom to read to students one more time. Since the founding in 2003, Twilight Wish has granted over 6,200 wishes. The Twilight Wish Program includes 3 types of wishes: Simple Needs, Celebrating A Life, and Living Life to Fullest.
The Voyager Foundation is dedicated to creating grandiose, magical moments that make dreams come true for children with special needs, offering Hollywood-style events that allow these children to experience celebrations they often miss out on. Specializing in safe, accessible, and luxurious dances, the foundation designs extravagant nights filled with red-carpet entrances, limousine rides, professional photography, star level entertainment, DJ-led music, gourmet food, and other exciting activities-all free of charge to the children and their families. These events offer a rare opportunity for children with special needs to dress up, walk down a red carpet, and be celebrated, creating moments typically taken for granted by others. By removing financial and logistical barriers, the Voyager Foundation ensures these children can enjoy an unforgettable experience, surrounded by family, in an environment tailored to their unique needs.
Castle View High School Softball Alumni Booster Club is a nonprofit (501c3) that raises money for, and supports the Castle View High School softball program. Their goal is to help improve the experience and quality of lives for roughly 25 Castle Rock high school softball players.
Parkinson Association of the Rockies connects and empowers People with Parkinson’s to thrive through educating, creating awareness, promoting research and supporting those with the disease, their families and the Colorado and Wyoming communities. The Parkinson Association of the Rockies is a local, independent non-profit and 100% of our programs and services are FREE of charge. The Town’s contribution would allow us to push boundaries and invest in programs and services which are a lifeline to those with Parkinson’s, their Care Partners and families.
Castle View High School Technology Student Association (TSA) is an after-school club focused on learning and leadership in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM). A chapter of this club is hosted at Castle View High School. Annually, students have the chance to attend district, state, and national level competitions where they can compete against other TSA chapters in an event of their choice and have the chance to podium. We participate in different events including robotics, architecture, fashion design, catapult, and many more. Being in TSA allows students to expand their horizons with new interests, make new friends, and gives them chances to explore future education and career options.
Budget Considerations
The 2024 budget includes $16,000, $4,000 available for each quarter, in the Town Council Non-profit Grants account in the General Fund for the 2024 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 4th quarter of 2024, there are ten 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