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The purpose of the city of Palmer council community grant program is to recognize the valued contributions being provided through the volunteer efforts of community champions on behalf of its citizens. Community grant funding demonstrates the council’s commitment to programs, services, projects, and events that are a benefit to the community while at the same time recognizing the financial constraints impacting the city’s ability to provide funding. This policy identifies the types of funding available through this community grant process and establishes eligibility requirements. The goal of the community grant program is to provide modest levels of support and assistance to help foster and develop community programs, services, projects, and events that enhance Palmer’s quality of life. The objective of this policy is to treat all organizations fairly and consistently while creating a minimal administrative process.

A. Council shall retain the right to make the final decision on:

1. Annual council community grant operating budget;

2. Determining community grant recipients;

3. Determining community grant amounts.

B. To be eligible to qualify for funding, the group or organization must demonstrate its commitment to all the following principles:

1. General.

a. Event is open – accessible – to all members of the community;

b. Event is effective in providing a community benefit to Palmer;

c. Applicant is accountable for the grant through sound management and financial practices;

d. Individuals are not eligible;

e. The applicant/organization, within the current fiscal year, must spend grant funding on the sole purpose for which it was awarded;

f. Any unspent money shall be returned to the city.

C. Community Grant Types. Defined as a program, service, project, or event that benefits Palmer by supporting, sustaining, promoting, informing, educating, celebrating, preserving, and/or providing access to the arts, culture, environment, heritage, recreation, and/or health activities.

D. Community Grant. Defined as a program, service, project, or event that the council has determined provides significant benefits to the Palmer community as a whole. The different types of grants under the community grant program are:

1. In-kind grants – based on the provision of municipal property/facilities, materials, or resources provided to an applicant, and do not include the provision of cash funds to, or on behalf of, the applicant. Cash funds are not provided in relation to in-kind grants;

2. Cash contribution grant – based on the provision of cash funds provided to, or on behalf of, the applicant; or

3. Combination grant – based on a combination of subsections (D)(1) and (D)(2) of this section.

E. Grant Application. Completed application forms may be submitted to the city clerk’s office at any time during a fiscal year. All applications shall be submitted on the grant application form together with the information/documentation listed below:

1. An outline of the benefits the grant recipient would provide to the community as well as how this supports the council’s strategic priorities;

2. The amount of financial or in-kind assistance required;

3. The degree in which the community benefits as a result of the grant;

4. A proposed budget for the current project, detailing expenditures and anticipated revenues, including a list of all other grants and/or donations; and

5. How an applicant proposes to provide a post-event report with details on economic impact.

F. Grant Compliance and Reporting.

1. The city clerk will review grant applications for completeness and forward each application to the city council. The city clerk’s comments on applications requesting in-kind nonfinancial assistance will include a report on the effect, if any, providing the in-kind assistance would have on the city’s ability to meet its regularly scheduled work responsibilities.

2. Council shall retain the right to make the final decision on both the overall grant allocation and individual grants.

3. Council may request community grant recipient to provide a written or oral summary report. (Ord. 20-015 §§ 3, 4, 2020; Ord. 14-043 § 3, 2015)