The City of Colusa will implement a Community Sake Grants Program over the next two years to give nonprofit organizations and community partners still reeling from the loss of fundraising opportunities during the COVID 19 pandemic an opportunity to recover or build momentum for projects and programs that benefit the community.
The council is making $15,000 per year available during fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25 ($30,000 total) for nonprofits to host free events or create and run projects or programs that will improve the quality of life for Colusa residents.
The city recently allocated the funding for the grant funding from the $1.4 million the city received from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Colusa officials said.
Consultant Sadie Ash said she will roll out the program this month, giving non-profits an opportunity to apply by Aug. 8 for the first round of funding. In the second round of funding, the city could begin accepting applications as early as March 2024.
Ash said she anticipates about 10 Colusa non-profits will ask for $1,000 to $1,500, and had recommended to the City Council at their June 21 meeting that they not make it a complex or highly competitive process for larger amounts.
“The more that we can allocate to diversify, the better,” Ash said.
City officials said a notice of funding availability will be posted. An application packet can be requested via email to grants@cityofcolusa.com.
Ash said she will also reach out to the Community Foundation of Colusa County, which is the umbrella organization for a number of local groups, such as Colusa Lions, Youth Empowerment Services, and Christmas Tyme in Colusa. Multiple organizations involved in the same event will be eligible to apply.
The applications will be reviewed by the city’s ad hoc committee, who will make the recommendation for approval to the full City Council.
The city anticipates awarding the “no-match” grants for 2023-24 grants this fall for events, projects, and programs planned between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. ■