News Summary
The Coronado City Council has allocated over $1 million in grants to local nonprofits, supporting various community programs. Despite the funding provided, some organizations like Coronado MainStreet and Coronado Community Theater were left without support this year. Due to discussions regarding the proper use of grant funds, some proposals were denied. Future meetings are planned to address ongoing concerns and enhance community engagement in the grant process.
Coronado City Council Allocates Over $1 Million in Annual Community Grants to Support Local Nonprofits
Coronado has allocated approximately $1,068,000 in grants to local nonprofits for the current year, fulfilling its commitment to support community programs through a system established in 2000. This allocation indicates a surplus of $93,002 in the community grant fund after distributing funds, which is calculated as 1.4 percent of the city’s general fund annually.
The city council’s allocation saw the funding of various programs, although some nonprofits, including Coronado MainStreet and Coronado Community Theater, did not receive funding this year. The council plans to invite representatives from both organizations for discussions about their programming later in the year. The absence of a representative from the Coronado Community Theater at the allocation meeting raised particular concerns among council members, prompting inquiries regarding its funding and impact.
Last year, Coronado MainStreet received $20,000, and after further scrutiny this year, it was recommended for $18,001 in an expedited grant process. This expedited allocation process, approved unanimously by the council in February, was designed to save approximately 140 hours of city staff time during a period of key staffing vacancies. It included not only recurring grants but also major event and mini grants.
Funding Overview and Major Allocations
City staff recommended a 90 percent allocation of last year’s funding for most organizations, which left about $162,000 as surplus funding. However, during a meeting on June 17, the council decided to increase funding to 100 percent for several organizations, ensuring substantial community support. Key events that received complete funding this year include:
- Coronado Chamber of Commerce’s holiday parade and tree lighting
- Coronado Floral Association’s Coronado Flower Show grant
- Coronado Fourth of July celebrations
- Coronado Island Film Festival
- Coronado Schools Foundation’s annual Art and Wine Festival grant
In addition to major events, mini grants totaling $15,000 were awarded to new organizations and groups that did not receive funding in the previous year. Notably, council members Amy Steward and Carrie Downey abstained from voting on specific funding proposals due to potential conflicts of interest involving organizations they are affiliated with.
Controversy and Future Discussions
A significant topic of conversation among council members was the use of grant funding for fundraising purposes. Consequently, funding was denied for A Taste of Coronado by the Coronado Junior Woman’s Club and FOCUS, as those proposals were seen as not aligning with the intended use of the grants. In contrast, funding was approved for Coronado Cheer to purchase safety mats intended for shared use, rather than traditional fundraising activities.
In total, the grant allocations for the year amounted to $1,067,998, leaving a surplus of $93,002 in the community grant fund. The next city council meeting, where additional discussions regarding nonprofits and community programs are anticipated, is scheduled for July 15 at 4 p.m. at City Hall.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Lamb’s Players Theatre Premieres Musical Celebration of the 70s
Coronado City Council Approves Community Grants
California’s Fourth of July Celebrations Unveiled
Coronado City Allocates Over $1 Million in Community Grants
Coronado Unified School District Faces Budget Challenges
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Coronado City Council Meeting to Address Grants and Waste Fees
Additional Resources
- Coronado News: City Council Approves Community Grants
- Wikipedia: Community Grants
- Coronado Times: City Awards Community Grants
- Google Search: Coronado Community Grants
- Coronado News: Nonprofit Roundtable Unites Leaders
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Nonprofit Organization
- Coronado Times: City Opens Mini Grant Applications
- Google News: Coronado Community Funding
- Coronado News: Michelle Gilmore Named CEO
