Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to enter into an advanced-pay grant agreement for $25,000.00 with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission LLC, a non-profit corporation, in support of the Black Girls RUN! National Meet-Up, hosted by the OhioHealth Capital City Half & Quarter Marathon in April 2026.
The Greater Columbus Sports Commission is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to rally Columbus to compete and win sporting events, providing a singular athlete and fan experience and positively impacting image, economy, and lifestyle. The Commission is dedicated to bringing sports events to Central Ohio including the OhioHealth Capital City Half & Quarter Marathon and Columbus Promise 5k- one of the premier road race events in the Midwest.
Black Girls RUN! is a national organization that encourages African American women to make fitness and healthy living a priority. With over 250,000 members across the United States, Black Girls RUN! promotes community, empowerment, and a healthy lifestyle through running. The organization’s mission is to tackle the growing obesity epidemic in the African American community and provide a supportive environment for women to achieve their health goals.
The City’s support for the Black Girls RUN! National Meet-Up may support personnel, services, and supplies costs. No grant funds will be used for the purchase of any food or beverages. The City’s support in advance of the event is necessary in order for appropriate marketing, deposits, and rentals to take place before the event.
Contract Compliance: Greater Columbus Sports Commission, Vendor# 006014, CC-006014 (Expiration Date: 5/21/2027)
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested due to the time sensitive nature of event support, as the Black Girls RUN! National Meet-Up takes place in April 2026.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $25,000.00 from the General Fund for this agreement ($25,000).
Title
To authorize the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to enter into an advanced-pay grant agreement for $25,000.00 with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission LLC, a non-profit corporation, in support of the Black Girls RUN! National Meet-Up, hosted by the OhioHealth Capital City Half & Quarter Marathon, to authorize an expenditure of $25,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($25,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, The City of Columbus recognizes that health and well-being are essential to quality of life and is committed to promoting equity by ensuring that all residents, especially Black women and girls, have access to the resources and opportunities needed to thrive; and
WHEREAS, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission is a non-profit organization with a mission to provide singular athlete and fan experiences that positively impact image, economy, and lifestyle; and
WHEREAS, Black Girls RUN!’s mission is to tackle the growing obesity epidemic in the African American community and provide a supportive environment for women to achieve their health goals; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure of $25,000.00 within the Office of Diversity and Inclusion general fund; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into this advanced-pay grant agreement to ensure the timely support of the event, as the Black Girls RUN! National Meet-Up takes place in April 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 Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is hereby authorized to enter into an advanced-pay grant agreement with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission LLC in support of Black Girls Run!, which will involve program development and program delivery to offer members the opportunity to connect, inspire, and run together.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $25,000.00 or so much thereof that may be needed is authorized in Fund 1000 General Fund, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion - Division 4003 Object Class 05 pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this Ordinance, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures 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 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 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.