SUBJECT:
Title
Grants to Communities - Updated Application and Review Criteria
Department
DEPARTMENT: Administrative Operations
Presenter
PRESENTER(S): Meredyth Muth, Director of Administrative Services and Operations
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Time
TIME ESTIMATE: 15 minutes
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For time estimate: please put 0 for Consent items.
Fiscal
FISCAL SUMMARY:
N/A
Policy
POLICY ISSUES:
On July 15, staff presented Council with information about the Grants to Communities program. At that time, Council asked staff to return with an updated application as well as updated review criteria for the Council to consider prior to the application opening on September 1.
Recommendation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Review the updated application and review criteria.
Body
SUMMARY/KEY POINTS
The attached application includes the following significant changes based on the Council discussion on July 15:
• Updates the evaluation criteria to specifically reference the Charter Preamble.
• Includes the maximum grant amounts Council requested on July 15:
o $12,000 for Service grants
o $5,000 for event grants (applicants may apply for up to two event grants)
• Adds additional application questions and new acknowledgements.
BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
In 2013, this grant program was formalized by resolution and adopted with specific procedures. Those procedures and the evaluation criteria were updated in 2022 and in 2024.
Eligibility is restricted to applicants recognized as community service organizations, organized and federally designated for tax purposes as non-profit corporations, and/or chartered chapters of state or national lodges or service organizations that engage in charitable or community service activities, and public schools located in Erie (both in Boulder Valey School District and St. Vrain Valley School District).
The Program has two categories of grants funded on an annual basis: Events and Health and Human Services Programs. The funding level authorized by the Council in the annual budget process will determine the number of overall grants funded for that fiscal year. For 2025, the budget for the program was $80,000 and staff requested the same amount for 2026.
Applications for 2026 will open Sept. 1 and be due no later than Nov. 30. Applications will be available through the Town website at www.erieco.gov/974/Grants <http://www.erieco.gov/974/Grants>.
priorities
TOWN COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
☒ Attractive Community Amenities
☒ Engaged and Diverse Community
☒ Prosperous Economy
☐ Well-Maintained Transportation Infrastructure
☒ Small Town Feel
☒ Safe and Healthy Community
☐ Effective Governance
☐ Environmentally Sustainable
☐ Fiscally Responsible
attachments
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Draft of 2026 Grant Application
2. Example of a 2025 Grant Application
3. Presentation