Aurora, Illinois

File #: 25-0075    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 1/22/2025 In control: City Council
On agenda: 3/11/2025 Final action: 3/11/2025
Title: A Resolution Approving the 2025 Quality of Life Grants in the Amount of $910,773.
Attachments: 1. Exhibit A: 2025 QOL Recommendations, 2. Exhibit B: 2025 Quality of Life Applicant Summary, 3. COW Presentation 3-4-25
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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin

FROM: Chris Ragona, Director of Community Services

DATE: January 23, 2025

SUBJECT:
A Resolution Approving of the 2025 Quality of Life Grants in the Amount of $910,773

PURPOSE:
To approve the 2025 Quality of Life Grants by resolution. This approval is necessary in order to award and process 2025 grants.

BACKGROUND:
The Quality of Life Grant (QOL) application process opened on August 29, 2024 and closed on October 4, 2024. For 2025, the total Quality of Life funding available is $1,137,000. City staff outreach efforts included notifications to prior and current QOL recipients and prospective first-time applicants. The following table outlines the City's outreach efforts:

Outreach Opportunity
Date
Pre-Application Announcement Email - Notice #1
8-15-2024
Beacon Newspaper Advertisement
8-18-2024
Community Resource Team Email
8-20-2024
Community Resource Team Social Media Post
8-20-2024
Pre-Application Announcement Email - Notice #2
8-21-2024
Pre-Application Announcement Email - Notice #3
8-28-2024
Pre-Application Virtual Workshop
8-29-2024
Final Reminder Regarding Application Due Date
10-01-2024
Application Due Date
10-04-2024

Under each email notification, an estimated 535 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. The City also contacted other area grant providers via email to share the City's grant opportunities and published an advertisement and press release in The Beacon News. The Quality of Life grant opportunity was also advertised utilizing the City of Aurora's social media accounts. The non-mandatory pre-application virtual workshop was attended by an estimated 109 representatives. The workshop was recorded and posted on the City's website together with the workshop's presentation slides.

The 2025 Quality of Life...

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