Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the City Clerk to enter a grant agreement with Education Foundation for Freedom to provide upfront financial support for the Columbus Women and Girls' Fest. The event is a day-long festival featuring various artists, speakers, vendors, games, workshops, cultural programming, and family-friendly activities. Upfront funding is necessary to secure a deposit for a national artist, advertising, and necessary festival equipment. Education Foundation for Freedom is embedded in the Near East Side Community, in zip codes 43203 and 43205. This area is designated by the City as an “opportunity neighborhood.” The organization's goal is to activate leadership among women and girls through culturally sustaining arts access. Intended outcomes of the event include cultivating community coalition, economics, professionalization, and empowerment.
The event will be evaluated using surveys that include both open- and closed-ended questions to capture demographic information, participants’ experiences, and overall impact for general attendees, artists, vendors, and volunteers. Impact includes: (1) attendance between 1,000 and 3,000 participants; (2) greater visibility for women and girl artists/entertainment and leadership; (3) highly rated children’s, youth, and adult activities including community education workshops and Q&A with a national artist; (4) participants’ exposure to useful resources, people, information, and products that provide opportunities for overall well-being; and (5) economic impact for vendors, artists, workshop providers, and operational support for Education Foundation for Freedom.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds in the amount of $30,000.00 are available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, subfund 100018.
REASON FOR EMERGENCY: The Columbus Women and Girls' Fest is scheduled for August 15th, meaning that without emergency designation, the money authorized in this legislation may not be tra...
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