The City of Santa Cruz Children's Fund Oversight Committee announces the availability of grants totaling $761,409 over two years (fiscal year 25 and 26) for programs or services aligning with our funding priorities. These funds are dedicated to supporting children and youth under the age of twenty-five (25) residing in the City of Santa Cruz.

Background:

The Children’s Fund Oversight Committee was established to make recommendations on the use of future revenues related to the portion of Measure A (Cannabis Business Tax) monies assigned to the Children’s Fund. Measure A, which added Section 1432 to the Santa Cruz City Charter, requires twenty percent (20%) of all revenues generated by the cannabis business tax to be dedicated to the Children’s Fund, stipulates that Monies in the Children’s Fund are to be used to provide services to City of Santa Cruz Children and youth less than twenty-five (25) years old, in accordance with asset-based youth development principles, places a strategic priority on serving those children and youth most impacted by poverty, trauma, and violence,  and establishes the Children’s Fund Oversight Committee. Council Policy 12.16 reiterates the purposes of the Committee, which is to make recommendations to the City Council on the use of Children’s Fund revenues, to:

1. support enhancement and expansion of evidenced- based programs; and
2. prioritize access to early childhood development, prevention, and vulnerable youth programs, without supplanting existing City of Santa Cruz services or investments.

Monies shall not be appropriated or expended for:

1. any service which merely benefits children and youth incidentally.
2. acquisition, lease, or maintenance of any capital item or real property not for primary and direct use by children and youth; or
3. any service for which a fixed minimum level of expenditure is mandated by state or federal law, to the extent of the fixed or minimum level of expenditure.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Be a tax-exempt/not-for profit organization (501(c)3 or 501(c)6) as defined by the Internal Revenue Code or, a governmental entity.
2. Maintain financial records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
3. Be located or functioning within the City of Santa Cruz or directly serving children and youth who are residents of the City of Santa Cruz.
4. For childcare providers: Have current licenses with the Community Care Licensing Division of the California Department of Social Services that are in good standing. 

Application Submission Requirements/Instructions:

1. Grant Application
2. Budget Proposal
3. IRS/Nonprofit Determination Letter (unless a government or a for profit entity)
4. IRS Form W-9
5. Previous years financial statements (Form 990’s, independent bookkeeping, or audits will be accepted).

Timeline:

• Application open February 15, 2024
• Deadline date to submit Application: March 11, 2024, 4:00pm
• Sub-Committee review date: March
• Children's Fund Advisory Committee Review & Approve Date: April 11, 2024
• City Council Review Date: Tentatively May 14, 2024
• Allocation of funds: June 2024

Selection Process:

Applications will be evaluated by the Children's Fund Oversight Sub-Committee based on adherence to the application requirements, completeness, clarity, and impact on City of Santa Cruz youth. The funding priorities for this cycle will be on the following: Child Care – creation of new state subsidized and unsubsidized spaces; the enhancement of programs that support the social and emotional well-being of children; youth and teen recreational programs; programs that support youth mental health; programs that support vulnerable youth that are disconnected from school, family, community; applications that can leverage funds through additional sources will be prioritized. Funds will be distributed as follows: 1/3 to programs for children under 6, with the remaining balance of funds for ages 6-24, prioritizing for ages 6-17

Email Proposals To:

Children's Fund Oversight Committee

lmurphy@santacruzca.gov

Phone: (831) 420-5365