City of Columbus - File #: 0897-2026

• File #: 0897-2026
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Second Reading
• File created: 3/18/2026
• In control: Health, Human Services, & Equity Committee
• On agenda: 3/30/2026
• Title: To authorize the Director of Development to execute grant agreements with numerous not-for-profit, social service agencies in an amount up to $9,775,000.00 for the Elevate!All Program; to authorize the expenditure of funds prior to the establishment of the purchase order beginning January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026; to authorize food and or non-alocholic beverages expenditures as part of the standard operating costs for some of these non-profit organizations; to authorize the advancement of funds on a pre-determined schedule during the term of the agreement; to authorize the transfer between object classes in an amount up to $3,701,000.00 and the expenditure in an amount up to $3,475,000.00 within the Hotel Motel Tax Fund, to authorize the expenditure in an amount up to $6,300,000.00 within the Cannabis Host Community Special Revenue Fund; and declare an emergency. ($9,775,000.00)

Explanation

BACKGROUND:
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to execute grant agreements with 107 of the 109 not-for-profit social service agencies that have been awarded for this first year of the department’s Elevate!All program. There are 107 not-for-profit social services agencies included within this ordinance and there will be additional pieces of legislation for the remaining agencies. The total amount awarded to the 109 agencies is $9,925,000.00 this legislation represents $9,775,000.00 of that amount. This legislation also authorizes the payment of eligible expenses prior to the issuance of the purchase order beginning January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 and authorizes the advancement of funding to each agency on a predetermined schedule. Additionally, these programs/grant agreements may include reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverages for participants. The expenditure of such items is hereby deemed to be a valid public purpose in that such purchase will address the immediate needs of program participants beginning with the period of performance of the grant January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. These expenditures are authorized in accordance with Columbus City Code Chapter 329 as the food and/or non-alcoholic beverage expenditures are part of the standard operating costs for the non-profit organizations serving vulnerable residents.

The Elevate!All NOFA (Notice of Funding Availability) was advertised from May 8, 2025, through June 30, 2025, on the Department of Development webpage, the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County’s webpage, distributed via various listservs and provided individually upon request. Non-profit organizations eligible to apply were those which provide services and/or support directly to Columbus and Franklin County households below the ALICE Threshold in one or more of the following focus areas: Financial Security, Housing Stability, Homelessness, Wealth Building, and Behav...