CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
                  CITY COUNCIL AGENDA



  Agenda Date:           September 19, 2022

  Action Required:       None

  Presenter:             Misty Graves, Director, Hunter Smith, Human Services Planner

  Staff Contacts:        Misty Graves, Director
                         Hunter Smith, Human Services Planner

  Title:                 Vibrant Community Fund update



Background
The Vibrant Community Fund panel is tasked by the City of Charlottesville with reviewing community agency
program funding requests to the City with providing ratings recommendations to the Charlottesville City
Manager and City Council. City staff serve as the grant managers for the Vibrant Community Fund process,
including issuing the application, facilitating orientation and training, providing technical assistance to applicant
agencies, organizing and staffing panel meetings, and preparing the final report. City Council makes the final
budget approvals.

Discussion
Honoring the practice of continuous process improvement, the Vibrant Community Fund staff made
several upgrades to implementation, communication and training. This report serves as a public
engagement and outreach opportunity to inform community members of those upcoming changes.

Highlights of the changes to the FY24 process include:
- Adjusted timeline (Oct. 1 - Nov. 7)
- Moving the Affordable Housing priority funds to the Charlottesville Affordable Housing Fund
(C.A.H.F) process.
- Orientation (required for all applicants) to include technical assistance on grant writing and budget
building.
- Workshop focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
- Quarterly reporting guidelines.

An overview of the FY24 V.C.F. process is included.

Alignment with City Council's Vision and Strategic Plan
The Vibrant Community Fund aligns with strategic plan Goal 1: An Inclusive Community of Self-
Sufficient Residents) and Goal 2 (A Healthy and Safe City) as the applicants must meet Council's
priorities of Education, Youth and Families, Health and Safety, and Economic Impact and Jobs.
Community Engagement
Last year, the Vibrant Community Fund received applications from over 30 organizations. In addition
to the technical assistance and training provided, a public worksession is held in the spring to engage
community members and hear feedback. The V.C.F also has a webpage for more information.

Budgetary Impact
Historically, the budget to the Vibrant Community Fund process has been approximately 2 million
dollars.

Recommendation
Staff recommends the Council's continued support of the Vibrant Community Fund process for FY
24.

Alternatives
If the V.C.F is not implemented or funded, then non-profit organizations may not be able to fulfill their
mission due to lack of City funding. This may be detrimental to the overall well-being of City
residents.

Attachments
1.   VCF FY 23 Overview-Council Memo