PREPARED BY: GREG DWYER DATE OF MEETING: 02/28/2026
SUBJECT:
TITLE
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) ACCEPTING A PRESENTATION ON THE SAN PABLO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANT PROGRAM; (2) AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO AMEND AND OPTIMIZE BUDGET RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR THE ANNUAL SAN PABLO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANT APPLICATION GUIDELINES, PROGRAM CRITERIA, AND POLICY CHANGES FOR FY 2026-27 PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION; (3) RECOMMENDING A TOTAL FUNDING ALLOCATION OF $75,000 TO BE INCLUDED IN THE DRAFT FY 2026-27 AND FY 2027-28 CITY BIENNIAL GF OPERATING BUDGET UNDER THE CITY COUNCIL DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET (100-110-44050) FOR SCHEDULED ADOPTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL PRIOR TO JULY 1, 2026
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
Label
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2025-2027 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statements:
Build a Healthy Community and Enhance Community Resilience are adopted policy items under the FY 2025-27 City Council Priority Workplan, effective April 7, 2025.
BACKGROUND
Since its inception, the San Pablo Community Foundation (SPCF) Grant Program has been operating efficiently, offering an annual mini-grant program aimed at local and regional non-profits. These grants fund a variety of services that align with the City Council’s Priority Workplan, ultimately benefiting the San Pablo community.
Proposed Annual SPCF Program and Funding Allocation Changes
City staff reviewed the Annual SPCF grant program and recommend several improvements for the upcoming FY 2026-27 program, effective July 1, 2026. These changes aim to streamline budget allocation, avoid duplicate funding requests, and increase funding availability for local and qualified non-profit and community service organizations. In doing so, the City Council will be able to provide additional financial support and discounted fee waivers annually to these qualified local community groups and organizations on an annual basis.
Community Services Standing Committee (CSSC)
On December 3, 2025, the Community Services Standing Committee (Councilmembers Arturo Cruz and Abel Pineda) received an updated presentation from Community Services Department staff who administer the Annual SPCF grant program of all program/policy and recommended funding changes. All proposed amendments and changes to the San Pablo Community Foundation Grant program application, guidelines, and policy changes were reviewed by the CSSC and recommended for formal review and approval by the City Council.
In summary, the proposed policy changes and reallocation of budgeted funding for the Annual SPCF grant program will allow City staff to optimize resources for FY 2026-27 program implementation as detailed below:
|
Summary of Annual SPCF Grant Program Changes for FY 2026-27 Program Implementation |
|
Area Description |
FY 2025-26 |
Recommended Change |
FY 2026-27 (If adopted, changes would reflect) |
|
Total Funds Available |
$100,000 |
Increase of $20,000 in total funding |
$120,000 in total funds available |
|
Funding Sources (General Fund) |
City GF: $55,000 |
Increase of $20,000 in total funding |
|
|
Funding Categories |
Single pool for services/activities/events |
New category structure; added Event Sponsorship |
City GF: $75,000 |
|
City Council Sponsorship Restriction |
Annual Budget to accept Event Sponsorship of $30,000 and Fee Waiver request |
Creates a tracking system so that organizations are not benefiting from multiple city resources |
Reduce the budget to $0 and have organizations apply for the grant |
|
Scoring Rubric - Total points and Category Weights |
100 points Return to Source (10); Workplan (15); Fiscal (20); Collab (15); Originality (25); Funding (15) |
Scale reduced from 100 to 50. Weights adjusted; reduced points for some categories |
50 points Return (10); Workplan (15); Fiscal (10); Collab (5); Originality (5); Funding (5) |
|
Required Documents |
Application; Organization Budget; Nonprofit Corporation Certificate of Status; List of Current Board of Directors; IRS W-9; IF using a fiscal sponsor, MOU |
If Services, activities, or events occur at a school site or other shared location(s), a letter of support from a school administrator (for schools) or other executive director or lead management staff is required in the application. |
Application; Organization Budget; Nonprofit Corporation Certificate of Status; List of Current Board of Directors; IRS W-9; IF using a fiscal sponsor, MOU; If services/activities/events occur at a school site or other shared location(s), a letter of support is needed. |
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff recommends reallocating funds in the City Council Departmental Budget (100-1110-44050) to increase the Annual SPCF Program funding from $55,000 to $75,000 annually, effective July 1, 2026. Combined with annual corporate sponsorships from the San Pablo Lytton Casino ($25,000), Republic Services ($15,000), and an voluntary contribution from the Senior Advisory Board ($5,000), the total Annual SPCF Program funding for FY 2026-27 program implementation would be up to $120,000 annually, resulting in a net program increase of +$20,000 annually available to local qualified, non-profit/community service organizations serving San Pablo residents.
This reallocation of $75,000 in existing budgeted funds will be included in the DRAFT FY 2026-27 & FY 2027-28 City Biennial GF Operating Budget scheduled for adoption before July 1, 2026.
Att - A RES 2026-### SPCF Grant Program
Att - B San Pablo Community Foundation Grant Guidelines (DRAFT)
Att - C San Pablo Community Foundation Grant Application (DRAFT)
Att - D San Pablo Community Foundation PowerPoint