New Grants Funding Process Explained

by Councilor Mike Ward

Sedona, AZ (June 22, 2011) – In FY 2010 the city awarded grants to non-profit organizations totaling $1.575 million including $106,500 for Arts and Culture. Because of the downturn in the economy the former and current City Council reduced the size of those awards by approximately 10% for FY2011.

Not-for-profit community service organizations have received city funding since the 1990’s. These organizations provide a range of community services that enrich and benefit our entire community. Some of these organizations provide Sedona with state mandated city public services, like animal shelters. Others of these organizations provide needed services and benefits to the members of our community.

As a city animated by the arts, in 2006, the city expanded funding to nonprofit arts organizations. These art grants were administered and awarded by the Council’s Arts and Culture Commission.

Recognizing the need for greater oversight and accountability for these expenditures, the Council empaneled a Not-For-Profit Task Force NPTF (NPTF) in October 2010. The NPTF was comprised of Vice Mayor Hamilton, Councilor Litrell, and Councilor DiNunzio. Stephanie Giesbrecht having extensive grant expertise was asked to serve as a citizen representative.

In January the Council accepted the NPTF recommendations for the service contract category. A review panel comprised of two Council members, two Budget –

In early May, funds totaling $1.4 million were tentatively awarded to service organizations. Among the organizations receiving service contracts were the: Sedona Chamber of Commerce, Sedona Main Street Program, Sedona Public Library, Sedona Recycles, Sedona Community Center, Trauma Intervention Program, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona, Boys & Girls Club of Northern Arizona and Sedona Humane Society.

On May 25th the Council approved additional NPTF procedures for grant funding of activities, programs, or events developed by 501(c) organizations in the areas of arts and culture, economic stimulation and community building which serve a public purpose. The Council consolidated and increased the previous year’s budgeted funding by $16,500 making $120,000 available for these grants.

A 501(c) grant review panel will be comprised of one Budget Oversight Commission member, two community representatives with experience in grant funding evaluations, one representative from the Arts & Culture community, one community member at-large, and a nonvoting Council liaison. Grant applications in the arts and culture category will be reviewed by the Arts and Culture Commission prior to evaluation by the grant review panel. Any not-for-profit may apply under one or multiple categories and applications are due by June 30.

The Council believes that this new process will ensure a high level of accountability regarding granting of public funds to non-public organizations. It will also provide a potentially greater funding opportunity for all non-profit groups than would otherwise be available.

The new grants process conforms to that used by major granting organizations like the Sedona Community Foundation. This new grant application approach is more complete than in the past and is designed to ensure that all applicants will have a fair and equal opportunity to receive city grant funding.

These are the opinions of Mike Ward and not necessarily those of the City Council.