Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a Grant Agreement with Service! Relief for Hospitality Workers, one of seven not-for-profit social service agencies that were awarded within the 2023 Flourish Grant as part of the department’s Elevate 2.0 program. Additional ordinances will be forthcoming as part of this award for the other agencies. The total awarded to each agency is an amount up to $50,000.00 for a total award amount of $350,000.00 for the program. The term of each Grant Agreement shall be from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024.
On September 20, 2023, the Department of Development disseminated the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the 2023 Flourish Grant, to the 112 Non-Profit agencies within the Elevate! Grant Program. The NOFA extended an invitation to these organizations to collaborate and apply for grants of up to $50,000.00 for fostering innovative partnerships to improve and strengthen the non-profits’ capacities which then will better serve their clients. The NOFA specified there was a total of $200,000.00 available. Later, $150,000.00 in additional funding was reallocated to the Department of Development, expanding the total funds available to $350,000.00.
In response, a total of eighteen proposals involving 43 non-profit organizations were received, collectively requesting $899,953.00. These submissions were subsequently narrowed down to 16, and each collaborating partner was invited to present their ideas during FlourishFest '23. This two-day event provided a platform for each collaboration to pitch their proposals and receive feedback from an audience comprising reviewers, fellow applicants, and guests. Each collaboration was instructed to incorporate that feedback into their final proposals, which were due on October 16, 2023. A seven-member review team was assembled and tasked with evaluating and scoring these proposals.
The proposal received from Service! Relief for Hospitality Workers, collaborating with Mothers In Arms (dba Motherful), was one of the seven proposals selected by the review team to be funded by this initiative. The agencies will work together to collaborate on a social enterprise meal delivery service designed to benefit single mothers through revenue generated and through employment opportunities. The proposed funding will be allocated directly to Service! Relief for Hospitality Workers, but will be utilized by both agencies involved to further their collaboration and provide services to their constituents.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this expenditure is allocated within the Elevate 2.0 General Fund budget, in an amount up to $50,000.00. ($50,000.00)
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: the vendor number is 043399 and the expiration date is 10/24/2024
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to enter into a grant agreement in an amount up to $50,000.00 with Service! Relief for Hospitality Workers, one of seven not-for-profit, social service agencies awarded funding, for the provision of human services programming for a 12 month period from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, as part of the 2023 Flourish Grant; to authorize the advancement of funds on a pre-determined schedule during the term of the agreement; to authorize the transfer and expenditure of up to $50,000.00 from the Elevate 2.0 General Fund. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Development disseminated the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the 2023 Flourish Grant, to the 112 Non-Profit agencies within the Elevate! Grant Program. The NOFA extended an invitation to these organizations to collaborate and apply for grants of up to $50,000.00 for fostering innovative partnerships; and
WHEREAS, the Department received 18 applications with requests for funding totaling $899,953.00, of which 7 programs were selected for funding in 2024; and
WHEREAS, the grant agreements will be funded utilizing Elevate 2.0 General Funds; and
WHEREAS, a transfer of funds within object classes in the amount of $50,000.00 will be needed; and
WHEREAS, the grant agreements will include advance payments to the organizations; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Development is authorized to enter into a grant agreement in an amount up to $50,000.00 with Service! Relief for Hospitality Workers, a not-for-profit, social service agency, for the provision of human services programming for a 12 month period from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, as part of the 2023 Flourish Grant; and to authorize the advancement of funds on a pre-determined schedule during the term of the grant agreement.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the transfer and expenditure of $50,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. 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 ordinance.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.