Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Disburse Money Donated to the Fund-Wide Alameda Strong Community Relief Campaign as Follows: 60 Percent to Small Businesses, 20 Percent to Non-Profit Organizations, and 20 Percent to Alameda Renters. (Community Development 256)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
At its May 19, 2020 meeting, the City Council approved the creation of an Alameda Strong Community Relief Fund to provide emergency grants to small businesses, non-profit organizations and residential renters economically impacted by the pandemic. Staff requests confirmation of the percentages for allocating solicited funds among the three categories of recipients. Through the Alameda Strong website, donors have the option to contribute individually to one of the three categories or to contribute collectively to all three categories. Staff recommends that the fund-wide contributions be allocated as follows: 60 percent to small businesses, 20 percent to non-profit organizations and 20 percent to Alameda renters.
BACKGROUND
On April 21, 2020, the City Council approved a $600,000 COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant Program. The City Council expressed concern that the demand and need would far outstrip the funds available. The Council directed staff to create a special public-private partnership, soliciting tax-exempt donations from local residents, private entities and foundations to supplement the Small Grant Relief Program.
At its May 19, 2020 meeting, the City Council approved staff's recommendations for administering the Alameda Strong Community Relief Fund and eligibility requirements for grant recipients, including small businesses, non-profit organizations and residential renters impacted by the pandemic. The City Council also directed staff to allow contributors to donate specifically to one of the three categories of aid or to make a general contribution to all three categories. While ther...
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