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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />AUGUST 5, 2013 <br />TITLE: <br />GRANTS FOR BLOCKS PROGRAM <br />G_ <br />e!"1CITY MANAGER <br />v <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />APPROVED <br />? As Recommended <br />? As Amended <br />? Ordinance on 1" Reading <br />? Ordinance on 2ntl Reading <br />? Implementing Resolution <br />? Set Public Hearing For <br />CONTINUED TO <br />FILE NUMBER <br />Adopt a Resolution authorizing a fiscal sponsorship agreement with Charitable Ventures of <br />Orange County for the purpose of administering the Grants for Blocks Program. <br />Authorize the Executive Director of the Community Development Agency or their designee to <br />execute the agreement and all necessary documents required for the establishment and <br />maintenance of Grants for Blocks as a restricted fund with Charitable Ventures of Orange County. <br />DISCUSSION <br />For the past 14 years, the Community Development Agency has supported neighborhood improvements <br />and community building through its privately funded Grants for Blocks Program. This program was created <br />in response to corporations and foundations seeking a vehicle to contribute financial resources to support <br />leadership training, capacity building and resident driven physical improvements in Santa Ana's <br />neighborhoods. Over $75,000 in private funding has been attracted during this time from various corporate <br />partners including: Food4Less, Wells Fargo Bank, Bank of America, First American Title Company, and <br />WalMart. Nearly 80 projects have been completed to date, including support for literacy initiatives, learning <br />centers, youth sports programs and beautification projects. <br />Grants for Blocks is operated by Community Development Agency staff as a competitive program offering <br />monetary grants in the amount not to exceed $500 per recipient. Proposals from potential grant recipients <br />are solicited from the community through extensive outreach to neighborhoods, non-profit social service <br />agencies, parent groups at schools and service clubs. Submissions are reviewed and recommended by <br />the Steering Committee of the Community Development Resource Network. The Steering Committee is <br />comprised of numerous volunteers from community-based groups and non-profit organizations. No <br />Steering Committee member may vote on a grant proposal that may cause a conflict of interest. <br />The Grants for Blocks Program has been amended periodically by the City Council including authorizing the <br />establishment of the program as a non-endowed, donor-directed fund at the Orange County Community <br />Foundation in 2002. Additionally, the City Council established the Most Beautiful Yard Program in 2006, <br />55A-1