To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Trish Muller, CPA, Finance Director
Title
2025 Philip S. Miller Resource Grant Program
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Summary
The Philip S. Miller Resource Grant Program (PSMRGP) funded by the Philip S. Miller Trust Fund aims to support social and human services in Castle Rock. Eligibility requirements state that the organization holds 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) status, has been operating for a minimum of five years, and the funding request must include at least one of the provisions for the necessities of life: water, energy, food and/or shelter assistance. A cap of five individual grants shall be awarded annually. In 2023, Town Council increased the budgeted amount for this program to $45,000.
Five qualified organizations applied for the 2025 Philip S. Miller Resource Grant with a total of $58,000 in requested funds. The Public Safety Commission (PSC) reviewed the annual applications and is recommending the following award amounts:
Staff presents the Public Safety Commission’s recommendations for Council’s approval.
Discussion
The Public Safety Commission reviewed the applications (Attachment A) at its October 3 meeting. Representatives from each non-profit organization attended the PSC meeting to give a short presentation on their organization and the purpose of the funding request. The Commission discussed the merits of each application, reviewed the budgets presented for each project, and referred to the history of granted amounts (Attachment B).
American Legion Post 1187 requested $5,000. American Legion Post 1187 is the nation’s largest wartime veteran’s service organization devoted to serving fellow active-duty military and their families, mentoring youth, promoting strong national security, and advocating patriotism across the U.S. Requested funds will assist homeless/low-income veterans and current service members in meeting their food, shelter, and energy needs. American Legion Post 1187 serves more than 180 local Post members and veterans at local retirement facilities.
Christ’s Episcopal Church requested $4,000. Christ’s Episcopal Church is a local church requesting funds to provide meals for students experiencing hunger at Castle Rock Elementary. Last year, 6,674 meals were provided to 34 students and this year, as many as 50 students could enroll in the program.
Crisis Center requested $20,000. The Crisis Center exists to end domestic violence through advocacy, education, and prevention. The Center is requesting funds to support its emergency shelter for victims impacted by domestic violence. In 2023, the Crisis Center helped over 3,700 people.
Help & Hope Center (HHC) requested $20,000. The Help & Hope Center is a human service organization whose mission is to meet the immediate needs of Douglas and Elbert County residents who are in financial distress and at risk of becoming homeless. HHC will use grant funds to purchase food for their food bank. In 2023, they served 29,280 community members.
New Hope Presbyterian Church requested $9,000. New Hope Presbyterian Church is a local church requesting funds to support individuals who need assistance with rent, utility bills, and food. Since January 2024, New Hope has helped 25 families in Castle Rock and they anticipate helping an additional 8-10 that will need assistance by December 2025.
Based on these considerations, the Commission has made the following recommendations:
Budget Considerations
The 2025 Budget includes $45,000 in the Philip S. Miller Fund for the 2024 Philip S. Miller Resource Grant Program.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that Council approve the Public Safety Commission’s recommendations for the 2025 Philip S. Miller Resource Grant Program.
Proposed Motion
I move to approve the Public Safety Commission’s recommendations and award the 2025 Philip S. Miller Resource Grant Program monies as follows:
|
American Legion Post 1187 |
$5,000 |
|
Christ’s Episcopal Church |
$4,000 |
|
Crisis Center |
$13,500 |
|
Help & Hope Center |
$13,500 |
|
New Hope Presbyterian |
$9,000 |
Alternative Motions
I move to approve the Public Safety Commission’s recommendations for the 2025 Philip S. Miller Resource Grant Program, with the following conditions: (list conditions).
I move to continue this item to the Town Council meeting on _____ date to allow additional time to (list information needed).
Attachments
Attachment A: 2025 Applications
Attachment B: Five-Year History of Granted Amounts