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BACKGROUND City Grant History In 1992, the City initiated a formal funding application process for community-based organizations providing human services, cultural/arts and programs promoting the City. These grant requests were reviewed annually by the Human Services Commission, with funding recommendations forwarded to the City Council for inclusion in the fiscal Operating Budget. Beginning in FY 1995/96, the application process was extended to include youth services/needs. In September 1998, the Civic Arts, Human Services and Youth commissions appointed representatives to a Subcommittee to review and prepare the City Grant Program application/funding process. The Subcommittee developed a single application process for cultural/arts, human services, and youth nonprofit agencies/organizations. The Application Packet included general information, mission statement, funding categories, evaluation/criteria, and funding priorities and limitations. Additionally, it defined an application review/evaluation process for the Civic Arts, Human Services, and Youth commissions, within each interest area, and clarified funding accountability. In spring 2006, the commissions reviewed the FY 2006/07 City Grant Program Application and Review Process. It was determined that a Subcommittee, comprised of representatives from each of the three (3) affected commissions, should explore opportunities to modify the grant application packet to better identify program protocols, address project guidelines, and simplify the application. The Subcommittee recommended changes that were approved by the commissions in November 2006. The Subcommittee also developed, and the commissions endorsed, a comprehensive two-page document that outlines the Annual City Grant Compliance Protocols. The grant application changes and protocols were adopted by the City Council in June 2007, to be instituted for the FY 2007/08 City Grant program. In June 2007, each of the commissions reviewed the FY 2007/08 City Grant Application and Review Process. The only changes recommended for next fiscal year include a Table of Contents and the Annual City Grant Compliance Protocols, and three (3) additional lines (for a total of six) for each for the two (2) questions on the Application Cover Page. DISCUSSION FY 2008/09 CITY GRANT PROCESS In October 2007, each of the commissions reviewed the draft FY 2008/09 City Grant Application Packet. The only additional changes recommended were to add a mailing address for the project contact on the application form, and box together all the requested contact information. Page 2 of 4