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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Daniel Barreiro, Chief Community Services Officer
DATE: April 22, 2015
SUBJECT:
Approval of Festival Funds for 2015 in the amount of $29,650 for the Community Services Department at the May 12 City Council meeting.
PURPOSE:
The City's Neighborhood Festival Fund Program provides financial assistance to organizations hosting public events in Aurora. These events greatly enhance the quality of life in the city and help build a sense of community. The Neighborhood Festival Fund Program has made it possible for dozens of organizations to stage various events. These events have been educational and/or recreational. The impact of this program continues to grow with a combined attendance of over 30,000 people last year.
BACKGROUND:
The City has been supporting organizations to stage local festivals for over two decades. Several of the events have received financial support for over 20 years. Last year, a total of 23 organizations were recommended for financial assistance which happens to be the same number of organizations recommended for support this year. The Neighborhood Festival Fund program has been formalized over the years to assist with the application and review process. The acceptance of applications is widely publicized to encourage participation. The information was first distributed in November 2014. Information regarding the program, guidelines and application were made available on the City's website. In addition, application packets are mailed to those organizations who received funding in the past. The application packets include the guidelines and criteria for receiving City support.
Two years ago, efforts were made to enhance the program by collaborating with the Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board, the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board and the Aurora Indian American Community Outreach Advisory Board. The City's Neighborhood Festival Fund application was ...
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