SLO Reporter

City of Grover Beach issued the following announcement on Feb. 24. 

At its February 15 City Council meeting, the Grover Beach City Council voted to adopt a Community Grants Program Policy to provide financial assistance, of up to $10,000 per agency, to community-based organizations that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic or propose a project or program that will serve Grover Beach residents who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Throughout the pandemic, we have seen Grover Beach community organizations step up for the community immensely, even while being impacted themselves,” said Grover Beach Mayor Jeff Lee. “The Council takes great pride in being able to assist the City’s organizations so that they can continue to serve the community to their fullest ability and enhance the quality of life for residents.”

As stated in the City’s adopted Community Grants Policy, the Community Grants Program applications will be submitted electronically to communitygrants@groverbeach.org for initial review to ensure all eligibility criteria are met. The applications will then be sent to a review panel comprised of City staff and community stakeholders for thorough review and consideration. The following are examples of community-based organizations that are eligible and are encouraged to apply for the grant program (please note this is not an exhaustive list):

• Crisis intervention organizations or centers

• Health and safety services

• Youth-serving agencies

• Social service agencies and programs

• Bilingual service agencies

• Low-income service agencies

• Homelessness service providers

Individuals or organizations who have plans for one-time projects or programs that will help address a significant community need or problem are also eligible to apply. This will ensure that valuable short-term projects are provided the same opportunity to receive funding as organizations who provide ongoing and regular community services.

The application period for organizations to apply will begin on April 1 and end on April 30. Pending the receipt of applications, the City Council will likely decide on the allocation of funds at the May 23 council meeting. Selected organizations would then be able to receive the grant funding from July 2022 to June 30, 2023. The City invites all eligible organizations to apply. Additional information can be found on the city’s website and questions and comments can be directed to communitygrants@groverbeach.org.

“While COVID-19 has brought about immense challenges, we are glad to continue finding new and innovative ways to support our community,” said City Manager Matthew Bronson, Grover Beach City Manager. “The City’s strong financial position has meant that we can utilize ARPA funds for new programs to help our community members, such as the recently relaunched Buy Local program and now with this newly approved community grant program.”

In 2021, the City of Grover Beach was allocated $3.2 million in one-time American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding over a two-year period or $1.6 million each year. As part of the FY 2021-23 budget adoption on June 14, 2021, Council provided direction to staff to use $100,000 of the first-year funding for nonprofit assistance grants for agencies serving Grover Beach, making the rollout of this new community grant program possible.

Original source can be found here.

Source: City of Grover Beach