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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Chris Ragona, Director of Community Services
DATE: January 28, 2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Approving of the 2026 Quality of Life Grants in the Amount of $863,000.
PURPOSE:
A Resolution Approving of the 2026 Quality of Life Grants in the Amount of $863,000.
BACKGROUND:
The Quality of Life Grant (QOL) application process opened on September 9, 2025 and closed on October 10, 2025. For 2026, the total Quality of Life funding available is $863,000. This amount is lower than in past years because the set aside for afterschool programs previously awarded to Cities in Schools was transferred as part of a 3-year contract awarded to the Boys and Girls Club in the amount of $290,000.
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
8-26-2025
Beacon Newspaper Advertisement
8-17-2025
Community Resource Team Email
8-29-2025
Community Resource Team Social Media Post
8-29-2025
Pre-Application Announcement Email - Notice #2
8-29-2025
Pre-Application Announcement Email - Notice #3
9-04-2025
Pre-Application Virtual Workshop
9-09-2025
Final Reminder Regarding Application Due Date
10-06-2025
Application Due Date
10-10-2025
Under each email notification, an estimated 560 representatives from non-profit agencies, elected officials, advisory boards, interested businesses, and residents of the City were provided with information regarding the City's 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. An estimated 120 attendees participated in the non-mandatory pre-application virtual workshop. The workshop was recorded and posted on the City's website along with the workshop's presentation slides.
Th...
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