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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Chris Ragona, Community Development Manager
DATE: January 9, 2024
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Approving the 2024 Quality of Life Grants in the Amount of $1,017,000
PURPOSE:
To approve the 2024 Quality of Life Grants by resolution. This approval is necessary in order to award and process 2024 grants.
BACKGROUND:
The Quality of Life Grant (QOL) application process opened on August 25, 2023 and closed on September 22, 2023. For 2024, a total amount of $1,017,000 Qualify of Life funding is available. The Quality of Life Program is primarily funded through the City's gaming tax (approximately 88%) which comes directly from Hollywood Casino Aurora. The remainder of the 2024 QOL Program budget (approximately 12%) is funded through the City's Safety, Health, and Public Enhancement Fund (SHAPE).
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 attempts:
Outreach Opportunity
Date
Pre-Application Announcement Email - Notice #1
8-11-2023
Community Resource Team Email Release
8-11-2023
Pre-Application Announcement Email - Notice #2
8-13-2023
Beacon Newspaper Advertisement
8-13-2023
Pre-Application Announcement Email - Notice #3
8-18-2023
Pre-Application Virtual Workshop
8-25-2023
Final Reminder Regarding Application Due Date
9-21-2023
Application Due Date
9-22-2023
Under each email notification, an estimated 520 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 non-mandatory pre-application virtual workshop was attended by approximately 75...
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