Aurora, Illinois

File #: 23-0051    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 1/17/2023 In control: City Council
On agenda: 2/14/2023 Final action: 2/14/2023
Title: A Resolution Approving the 2023 Quality of Life Grants in the amount of $1,050,800
Attachments: 1. 2023 QOL Recommendations (Attachment A), 2. 2023 QoL Application Summaries (Attachment B), 3. 2023 QOL Service Area For Youth Education (Attachment C), 4. COW Presentation - 2023 QOL and CDBG (Attachment D)
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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin

FROM: Chris Ragona, Community Development Manager

DATE: January 17, 2023

SUBJECT:
A Resolution Approving of the 2023 Quality of Life in the Amount of $1,050,800

PURPOSE:
To approve the 2023 Quality of Life Grants by resolution. This approval is necessary in order to award and process 2023 grants.

BACKGROUND:
The Quality of Life Grant (QOL) application process opened on August 25, 2022 and closed on September 23, 2022. City staff prioritized outreach to prospective applicants in order to provide an opportunity to returning recipients of Quality of Life and prospective applicants to apply for the first time. The following table outlines the outreach to attempts by the City:

Outreach Opportunity
Date
Pre-Application Announcement Email
8-9-2022
Community Resource Team Email Release
8-9-2022
Pre-Application Announcement Email
8-16-2022
Beacon Newspaper Advertisement
8-14-2022
City of Aurora Press Release
8-23-2022
Pre-Application Announcement Email
8-24-2022
Pre-Application Virtual Workshop
8-25-2022
Final Reminder Regarding Application Due Date
9-19-2022
Application Due Date
9-23-2022

In each outreach attempt via email, an estimated 500 notices to representatives from non-profit agencies, elected officials, advisory boards, interested businesses, and residents of the City were provided with information regarding the City's Quality of Life and Community Development Block Grant opportunities. Additionally, City staff completed numerous follow- ups with agencies for emails that received bounce backs to ensure new contacts at agencies also received the information. The City also contacted other area grant providers to share the City's grant opportunities. The City also used social media as well as the Beacon New to advertise the opportunity. The pre-application virtual worksheet was attended by 100 representatives which maximized the capability of the online workshop. A recording of the workshop was posted on the City's websi...

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