CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
                  CITY COUNCIL AGENDA



  Agenda Date:        December 5, 2022

  Action Required:    None

  Presenter:          Misty Graves, Director of Human Services

  Staff Contacts:     Hunter Smith, Human Services Planner

  Title:              FY24 Vibrant Community Fund Update


Background
The mission statement for the Vibrant Community Fund (V.C.F) is to address significant and urgent
community needs to improve the lives of marginalized community members by funding holistic
strategies with the greatest potential to work. Human Services staff presented information to Council
prior to the release of the FY24 Vibrant Community Fund application. The Vibrant Community Fund
application process has closed and staff informed Council that an update would be provided once
applications were submitted.

Discussion
The following information has been collected from the FY24 application process. Information on any
intergovernmental (previously referred to as contractual) organizations is not included in the report.

     There were a total of 50 applications submitted (some organizations submitted more than one
      application). In comparison, last year, we received a total of 28 applications.
     There were a total of 11 applications that selected the New and Emerging category (this
      means they are a startup, have never applied through this process, or have been in existence
      for less than five years).
     The total ask for all applications is $4,315,608.01 (New and Emerging—$925,000; VCF—
      $2,747,654.01; Fundamental— $642,954.00). In comparison, last year, the total amount
      requested was $2,752,717.00.
     Orientation was offered in person, via Zoom and as a recording for anyone unable to
      participate.
     ‘Office hours’ were held on four different occasions during the application period for two hours
      at a time for any applicant that wanted to drop in for questions. There was ongoing
      communication via email and phone with applicants as they needed or requested.
     The review team is currently comprised of 16 citizens (including some city staff representation)
      and the general consensus of interest and motivation of these individuals is to learn more
      about inclusivity measures and strategies local organizations are using to improve services
      and to take a closer look at how DEI initiatives are being used across the board.
    Below is each specific request submitted, with the associated organization’s name
     removed. Amounts that are in bold type and italicized indicate a New and Emerging request.

VCF/New and Emerging Fundamental
$42,750.00           $92,700.00
$200,000.00          $10,000.00
$100,000.00          $19,494.00
$100,000.00          $32,165.00
$50,000.00           $79,744.00
$135,000.00          $115,000.00
$40,000.00           $36,352.00
$20,000.00           $58,482.00
$40,000.00           $97,239.00
$335,000.00          $12,035.00
$150,000.00          $89,743.00
$27,215.00
$50,000.00           $642,954.00
$32,000.00
$20,000.00
$186,533.76
$50,000.00
$24,000.00
$50,000.00
$57,936.00
$20,000.00
$35,000.00
$10,000.00
$36,000.00
$5,100.00
$75,000.00
$15,000.00
$30,000.00
$10,000.00
$68,000.00
$241,950.00
$75,901.25
$47,600.00
$68,575.00
$100,000.00
$50,000.00
$33,000.00
$129,143.00
$58,400.00
$30,000.00
$25,000.00
$42,000.00
$350,000.00
$50,000.00
$100,000.00
$50,000.00
$16,550.00
$50,000.00
$125,000.00
$15,000.00

$3,672,654.01

Alignment with City Council's Vision and Strategic Plan
The Vibrant Community Fund intersects with all five aspects of the City Council's Vision and Strategic
Plan. The FY24 process focuses on youth, family and education; economic impact and jobs; and
health and safety. Applicants must work in one of those technical areas in order to apply for city
funds.

Community Engagement
This year, the Vibrant Community Fund staff intentially engaged the non-profit sector to notify them of
the funding opportunties. This was done through a press release, email communication, and
referrals from Council and partners. As such, we have seen an increase in applicants this year.

Budgetary Impact
There is currently approximately $2.5 million dollars programmed in the base budget for VCF. As
noted, $575,000 of that has been reprogrammed to the CAHF funding to be used for housing
initiatives. That leaves approximately $1.9 million in the base budget that would be available to be
awarded to VCF applicants. Budgetary impacts would need to be considered should Council decide
to make changes to the amount of funding it allocates to VCF.

Recommendation
The total amount of funding requested is significantly greater than the amount of total funds available
to award at this time. Human Services staff are asking the City Council to review the report provided
and consider increasing the total amount available to award for FY24.

Alternatives
N/A

Attachments
None