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Commission which could award either two $25,000 grants or one $50,000 grant. She advised funding <br /> would be available to recipients beginning in July 2022 through a process separate from the Housing <br /> and Human Services Grant (HHSG) process since it would be a one-time award with a specific focus. <br /> She reported applications would open on January 24 and close on February 25. She explained the <br /> Opportunity Grant criteria addresses areas of need, benefit, capacity building, collaboration, and <br /> funding. She recommended the City Council allocate $50,000 from the General Fund for this program. <br /> The second option is creating an additional category in the HHSG Program with City Council directing <br /> the Human Services Commission to allocate up to $50,000 for community benefit organizations. She <br /> advised the current HHSG application deadline would be extended from January 19 to February 16. <br /> She explained applicants would complete the grant application on ZoomGrants and supplemental <br /> questions included in the staff report would be required as part of the submission declaring how the <br /> group would benefit Pleasanton's residents. <br /> The third option is to direct the Human Services Commission to determine if and how to provide funding <br /> for community benefit organizations in future fiscal years. She advised the Commission would provide a <br /> recommendation to the City Council in late spring and incorporate the City Council's direction into the <br /> next HHSG funding cycle. <br /> Staff recommends Option 1 if the City Council wants to provide grants for community benefit <br /> organizations in 2022 because it is the quickest and cleanest option for the Human Services <br /> Commission and does not interrupt the ongoing HHSG process. She advised this would also be a good <br /> opportunity for the Commission to provide feedback on how this type of funding opportunity could help <br /> meet some long-term strategic goals. <br /> In response to Councilmember Narum, Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins reported the Three <br /> Valleys Community Foundation and the Tri-Valley Non-Profit Alliance are organizations she is aware of <br /> who could qualify for funding. She advised if an applicant does not meet qualifications, staff typically <br /> reaches out to the organizations looking for clarity. She explained all applications are provided to the <br /> Commission as a matter of record but there is a staff report noting any unmet qualifications by an <br /> applicant. She confirmed staff would not reject an application and it would be forwarded to the <br /> Commission regardless for evaluation. <br /> In response to Councilmember Arkin, Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins clarified there are basic <br /> criteria used for all grants such as having a license, but the difference with this category would be an <br /> indirect delivery of service. She clarified they would look at how this non-profit would build capacity in <br /> Pleasanton to support other non-profits benefitting the Pleasanton community. The distinction being <br /> discussed here is organizations with no direct delivery of services. Interim City Manager Dolan advised <br /> the City has grant programs for direct service providers and this is an expansion of the grant program to <br /> reach out to an organization helping residents without providing direct services. <br /> In response to Councilmember Testa, Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins confirmed this matter has <br /> not been discussed with the Human Services Commission. The minimum amount of an HHSG in other <br /> categories is $5,000. The minimum grant through the Youth Services Commission is lower, possibly <br /> $2,000 or $2,500. This grant's minimum would be higher because they would want the award to be <br /> enough to make an impact and staff feels this would be enough to do so. She advised the Commission <br /> could also give the full $50,000 to one organization. <br /> In response to Councilmember Testa, Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins stated the funding could <br /> go towards operating or capital expenses. She added it is General Fund money and uses would be up <br /> to the applicant through its proposal. <br /> In response to Councilmember Testa, Interim City Manager Dolan clarified this grant is needed <br /> because the existing grants require an applicant to provide direct services. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 14 of 17 January 18,2022 <br />