Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with The Willie and Vivian Gaddis Foundation for Kids Inspired and Destined for Success (K.I.D.S.), INC. in support of the Jump Start Compass program.
The Willie & Vivian Gaddis Foundation exists to ignite purpose, expand opportunity, and prepare the next generation of leaders. Their 2026 Jump Start Compass programming is rooted in the same values they’ve operated in since 2001. The program seeks to nurture young person’s purpose so that it can become the foundation for achievement, leadership, and lifelong impact.
For the Jump Start Compass program, forty scholars are selected through a competitive application process. Cohort scholars participate in a 10-month structured program that includes monthly Saturday development sessions, two Teen Socratic Circles, 1-on-1 mentoring, up to three in-state one-day college tours, and a culminating multi-day college tour experience scheduled for October 11-17, 2026.
Since the organization lacks the funding necessary to operate the program fully on a reimbursement basis, funds will be advanced to The Willie and Vivian Gaddis Foundation for Kids Inspired and Destined for Success (K.I.D.S.), INC. to support continuation of the Jump Start Compass program. A portion of the funds will allow for reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses that support the program. Additionally, this ordinance authorizes a reimbursement to The Willie and Vivian Gaddis Foundation for Kids Inspired and Destined for Success (K.I.D.S.), INC. for expenses incurred from 1/31/2026 to the present and associated with the execution of Jump Start Compass program. Only eligible, non-food and non-beverage expenses shall be reimbursed.
Fiscal Impact: Funding ($8,000.00) is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Emergency Designation: Emergency legislation is requested in order to ensure a timely issuance of grant funds in support of the program, which began on January 31, 2026.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into an advanced payment grant agreement with The Willie and Vivian Gaddis Foundation for Kids Inspired and Destined for Success (K.I.D.S.), INC. to provide support for the Jump Start Compass program; to authorize the reimbursement of qualifying expenses incurred prior to the creation of the purchase order; to authorize an expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($8,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the mission of The Willie & Vivian Gaddis Foundation exists to ignite purpose, expand opportunity, and prepare the next generation of leaders; and
WHEREAS, this grant will provide support for the Jump Start Compass program, which is designed to support forty students in expanded economic mobility, reducing barriers to employment, increased financial literacy, and more;
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Clerk in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with The Willie and Vivian Gaddis Foundation for Kids Inspired and Destined for Success (K.I.D.S.), INC. in support of the Jump Start Compass program which began January 31, 2026, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into an advanced payment grant agreement with The Willie and Vivian Gaddis Foundation for Kids Inspired and Destined for Success (K.I.D.S.), INC. in support of the Jump Start Compass program, in the amount of $8,000.00, and to authorize the reimbursement of qualifying expenses incurred prior to the creation of the purchase order.
SECTION 2. That per the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $8,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That funds shall be paid in advance to The Willie and Vivian Gaddis Foundation for Kids Inspired and Destined for Success (K.I.D.S.), INC. in order for the organization to have the resources necessary for continuation of the program.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this legislation.
SECTION 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.