Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to execute a grant agreement with United Way of Central Ohio, Inc. for Year 2 of the department’s Elevate! 2.0 program. The term of the grant shall be for a 12- month period from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024. The total amount awarded is $100,000.00.
Columbus, renowned as America's Opportunity City, remains a beacon of potential and hope for its residents. Nevertheless, a significant portion of the population faces challenges stemming from personal, societal, structural, and economic factors, which impede their full participation in the city's myriad opportunities. Acknowledging the complexity of these challenges, the City is committed to implementing a comprehensive solution and is responsible for driving transformative changes to establish equitable opportunities for all residents.
The Elevate! Initiative plays a pivotal role in effecting this transformative change. This initiative allocates funding to support 112 distinct non-profit organizations categorized into two programs, denoted as 1.0 and 2.0, collectively addressing 16 of the 21 aspirations outlined in The Mayor’s Opportunity Rising. Through various means, the Elevate! Initiative promotes and provides opportunities for collaboration, learning, and resource-sharing among member agencies, ensuring that every community member they serve can access the services needed based upon their unique circumstance.
The Elevate! 2.0 NOFA (Notice of Funding Availability) was made available to local not-for-profit organizations from September 12, 2022, to October 3, 2022. The Department received 142 applications, requesting a total funding of $14,050,000.00, which were reviewed by a 24-member team. Sixty-four programs were selected for funding in 2023, marking the inaugural year of the three-year Elevate! 2.0 program. Fifty-nine community agencies are listed in a separate ordinance, funding for this agency is within this ordinance, and the remaining awarded agencies will have legislation put forth at a later date. The Grant Agreements for the second year will be distinct from the first year, although the overarching purpose remains consistent. Awards anticipate renewal in FY2025, contingent on funding availability and program performance as per agreements with each agency.
Funding will be advanced on a predetermined schedule. The first advance will occur after confirmation of the Purchase Order. Before the second advance is made, the agency shall provide reports and documentation indicating how the funds were used to fulfill the scope of services in the grant agreement. Additionally, these programs/grant agreements may include reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverages for participants of the programs which expenditure is hereby deemed to be a valid public purpose in that such purchase will address the immediate needs of program participants.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for these expenditures is allocated from the Emergency Human Services Fund budget, in an amount up to $100,000.00 (Fund 2231). This legislation is contingent upon the passage of Ordinance 0655-2024
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The vendor number is 006101 and the expiration date is 3/7/2025.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to execute grant agreements with United way of Central Ohio, Inc. in an amount up to $100,000.00 for Year 2 of the department’s Elevate! 2.0 program; to authorize the provision of services for a 12 month period from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024; to authorize the payment for reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverages for participants of programs included in the grant agreements; to authorize the advancement of funds on a pre-determined schedule during the term of the agreement; to authorize the expenditure of up to $100,000.00 from the Emergency Human Services Fund. ($100,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Development issued a NOFA in September 2022 to request applications from not-for-profit organizations to provide services in the following areas: Infant Vitality, Homelessness, Housing Stability, Finance Security, Workforce Development, Violence Elimination, Re-entry, Neighborhood Building, and Chronic Disease Prevention. All of the focus areas are tied to Mayor Ginther’s Equity Agenda/Opportunity Rising; and
WHEREAS, the Department received 142 applications with requests for funding totaling $14,050,000.00, of which 64 programs were selected for funding in 2024; 59 of these are included in a separate piece of legislation and the remaining will be submitted at a later date; and
WHEREAS, the grant agreement will be funded with Emergency Human Services Funds; and
WHEREAS, the grant agreements will include advance payments to the organizations and some programs will provide food to participants; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Development is authorized to execute a grant agreement with United Way of Central Ohio, Inc. in an amount up to $100,000.00 for the Elevate! 2.0! Program; to authorize the provision of services for a 12 month period from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024; to authorize payment for food for participants of programs included in the grant agreement; and to authorize the advancement of funds on a pre-determined schedule during the term of the grant agreement.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $100,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within the Emergency Human Services Fund (Fund 2231- Subfund 223125), from Dept-Div 44-01 (Administration), object class 05 (Other) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. Under the authority of Columbus City Code Chapter 111.14, the Department of Development is authorized to execute grant agreements for the purpose as stated in Section 1.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 6. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.