Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the Dept. of Neighborhoods to enter into a service contract with Libby V & Associates, LLC in support of the third annual Getting Grant Ready Academy, a program through which nonprofit organizations are offered a curriculum for capacity-building that will ultimately aim to help them successfully obtain more grant funding from a variety of sources. Libby V & Associates has been involved in the program since its inception, led the program in 2025, and is prepared to lead it again this year. Due to their unique institutional knowledge of and experience with the program, the Dept. of Neighborhoods seeks to waive competitive bidding.
Participants will take part in workshops where they will learn nonprofit management skills including creating compelling mission and vision statements, board management, financial management, systems and processes, operational efficiency, marketing, and communications. There will also be workshops on fundraising basics and best practices, including targeted sessions on specific grant topics (e.g. grants strategy, grants research, no or go decision-making, grants management and reporting, corporate grants, foundation grants, government grants, etc.). Participating organizations will also receive one-on-one coaching for individualized support, through which they will be walked through a full grant process, from research to application and setting up for capturing data and reporting.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds ($100,000.00) are available in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, subfund 100018.
WAIVER OF FORMAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS: A waiver of the formal competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Codes Chapter 329 is requested for this purchase because Libby V & Associates, LLC has been involved with the program since 2024 and has unique knowledge and experience that makes them uniquely qualified to administer the program.
Title
To authorize and direct ...
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