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Authorize the County’s contribution of $11,200 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 5 to benefit the following organizations: Arnot Art Museum ($500), Chemung County Historical Society ($500), Assist-A-Grad ($2,500), Solano Community Foundation ($600), Rio Vista CARE ($1,000), Leaven Kids ($600), Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano ($2,500), Pink Lemonade ($500), Soroptimist International of Vacaville ($500), and the Salvation Army ($2,000)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisor Posey requests that the Board of Supervisors authorize the County’s contribution of $11,200 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 5 to benefit the following organizations: Arnot Art Museum ($500), Chemung County Historical Society ($500), Assist-A-Grad ($2,500), Solano Community Foundation ($600), Rio Vista CARE ($1,000), Leaven Kids ($600), Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano ($2,500), Pink Lemonade ($500), Soroptimist International of Vacaville ($500), and the Salvation Army ($2,000).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
District 5 has identified groups for its non-county contribution allocation that are local non-profits or organizations that enrich Solano County either through educational programs or community support.
Arnot Art Museum ($500)
The mission of the Arnot Art Museum is to preserve the original collection of Matthias H. Arnot and, with a primary focus on representational art, to collect and exhibit works of art possessing the highest quality, merit, enduring worth and interest for the purpose of:
● promoting an understanding and appreciation of the visual arts;
● providing inspiration, enjoyment and enlightenment to the largest possible audience;
● enhancing the culture of our region; and
● nurturing a local, regional, and national role based on our collection.
Chemung County Historical Society ($500)
Founded in 1923, the Chemung County Historical Society is a non-profit educational institution dedicated to the collection, preservation, and presentation of the history of the Chemung Valley region. First chartered by New York State in 1947, today CCHS operates two cultural repositories, the Chemung Valley History Museum and the Booth Library. It is the largest general history museum in this region. It is the mission of the Chemung County Historical Society to deepen the understanding of and appreciation for the community’s place in state and national history.
Assist-A-Grad ($2,500)
Assist-A-Grad Scholarship Foundation, Inc. (AAG) was formed in 1967 by a small group of volunteers from local schools and the community. Since that time, AAG continues to operate as an all volunteer-run organization. It provides a ”one-stop shop” for information on various scholarships, a process of interviewing all interested and eligible students, and the method of providing the funds directly to the college or university of the student's choice.
Solano Community Foundation ($600)
Solano Community Foundation is dedicated to building a stronger community and enhancing the quality of life in Solano County through the support of philanthropic activities that make a deep and lasting positive impact.
■ As a grantmaker, they award grants and scholarships to improve the lives of Solano County residents.
■ As a vehicle for philanthropy, they encourage private giving for the public good.
■ As a community leader, they inspire, educate, and cultivate a spirit of philanthropy.
■ To respond to changing needs, they promote community involvement and collaboration.
Rio Vista CARE ($1,000)
Rio Vista CARE was founded in 1985 as a grassroots community effort in response to the need for professional counseling and substance abuse services for local children and families. Over the years, Rio Vista CARE has served thousands of children and families through professional counseling, the PALS mentoring program, grief interventions, parent support groups and more. With support from the River Delta Unified School District, they now provide services to all the school district’s elementary schools from the Town of Courtland to the City of Rio Vista.
Leaven Kids ($600)
It started in 2009 with the vision of leaders at Parkway Community Church in Fairfield, California who were looking to fully live out their Christian faith by serving people in need in their community. What they learned was that to profoundly change the lives of people in neighborhoods struggling with poverty, gangs, and crime, they needed to immerse themselves in those neighborhoods - not just “drop in.” With over 20 learning centers, they have become one of the fastest-growing non-profits in California.
Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano ($2,500)
Each month, the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano distributes enough emergency and supplemental food to provide 2.7 million meals. Many of Solano County residents are unable to make ends meet and the Food Bank helps them cover one of life’s basic needs - nutritious food. They strive to serve all people experiencing hunger or food insecurity in Solano and Contra Costa counties and commit to never turn anyone away.
Pink Lemonade ($500)
Pink Lemonade is a nonprofit organization that offers love, hope, faith, and strength to cancer patients. They provide no-cost comfort services to cancer patients and their families in the community to help make life a little sweet during a sour time.
Soroptimist International of Vacaville ($500)
The Soroptimist International of Vacaville Club #115332, a non-profit organization, provides charitable contributions to support its programs. A non-profit for women's educational empowerment offering grants and scholarships.
The Salvation Army ($2,000)
The Salvation Army of Solano County offers assistance to those in need through a variety of outreach efforts, including programs, service, and assistance.
Guidelines for Grant Funding Requests:
During the FY2024/25 Budget Hearings, the Board appropriated $75,000; $15,000 to each supervisorial district, to allow Board members to support community service programs. The Board directed County Counsel to provide guidelines on how to recommend funding for qualifying agencies or programs. The guidelines are as follows:
1) Each supervisor must submit the proposed expenditure to County Counsel and the Auditor/Controller for initial review.
2) The Board must approve the expenditure by a majority vote.
3) The Board must determine that the expenditure is for a public purpose.
4) The Board may authorize an expenditure of public funds to a nonprofit organization as long as the County retains ultimate control over the exercise of judgment and discretion of the intended program.
5) To ensure accountability, all expenditures are subject to periodic audit by the Auditor/Controller; and
a) If the recipient provides an activity, program or service (“activity”), it shall provide an activity report within 30 days of the activity that states the number of persons attending (if applicable) or participating activities carried out, feedback from participants (if applicable) and benefits of the activity. The recipient’s failure to provide a report may result in its being considered ineligible for future funding.
b) If the recipient is purchasing property or making improvements, it shall use the funds for only the specified purposes and allow representatives of the County to inspect and/or audit the purchase or the contractor’s performance, the facility, or the portion improved with the funds and/or the records pertaining to the expenditures. The recipient shall retain for inspection and audit purposes any and all books, receipts, documentation, and other records of the expenditures for three (3) years from the date of receiving funds.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost associated with preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the Department's FY2024/25 Working Budget. The cost of the contribution is included in the District 5 FY2024/25 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to authorize this expenditure; however, this is not recommended as this item is consistent with Board policy.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This report was prepared in coordination with the County Administrator’s Office, County Auditor-Controller’s Office, and County Counsel.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION