It was the highest nonprofit grants request number the City of Scotts Valley has ever seen.
But as elected officials decided on how to distribute the Community Grant Program money Oct. 21, there was only one business that asked for autism accommodation support cash.
In June, $50,000 was set aside for community grants, including $5,000 earmarked for autism certification.
The City received 15 nonprofit proposals for a total ask of just over $145,000. It got a single autism certification proposal ($445.50).
“The goal was to try to award 4-8 nonprofit grants with award options for full or partial funding,” Interim City Manager Stephanie Hill said. “There’s an emphasis on one-time or capital investments, versus funding just ongoing operations.”
A review committee made up of three City of Scotts Valley staffers and one member of the community administered the program over multiple meetings.
This year’s Community Grant Program recipients are:
- Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz County—$12,500 (full funding). “This is going to be going towards a downpayment purchase of a second Ford passenger van,” Hill said.
- Community Bridges’ Meals on Wheels program—$6,000 (full funding). “They deliver several essential services. It’s going to be a great social connection program for some of the older residents in Scotts Valley,” according to Hill.
- Damians Ladder—$9,054.50 (partial funding). “They provide small home repairs for seniors, and people with disabilities living in Scott Valley,” she said. “The funds are going to go towards 130 home repairs for low-income seniors and people with disabilities.”
- Dientes Community Dental—$5,000 (full funding). For reduced and free care to uninsured children, adults and seniors.
- O’Neill Sea Odyssey—$5,000 (partial funding). “It goes towards six classes from Vine Hill (Elementary School) and Brook Knoll Elementary School,” Hill said.
- Reggie Stephens Foundation—$5,000 (partial funding). Funds will go toward durable and multi-sport equipment, and field/facility access.
- Scotts Valley Community Theater Guild—$6,000 (partial funding). To go toward the purchase of some microphone headset systems.
- Scotts Valley Educational Foundation—$1,000 (partial funding). Funds to be used for the cost of a speaker for Respect Week at Scotts Valley High School.
- Mountain Light Acupuncture Clinic in Scotts Valley requested the $445.50 autism grant certification monies.
Ecology Action, Hope Services, Project SCOUT, Scotts Valley Little League, Senior Network Services, United Way Santa Cruz County and Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired didn’t make the cut.
“I know it’s a very difficult job,” said Councilmember Derek Timms. “It’s hard to go through who gets funding and who doesn’t…. They’re all doing great things in our community.”
Dana Wagner, director of Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County, highlighted the program’s importance in addressing senior isolation.
“Senior loneliness was a healthcare crisis even before the Covid pandemic,” Wagner said. “And Covid is estimated to have tripled the senior isolation crisis.”
Vice Mayor Steve Clark said the funding for the grants program comes together “on a wing and a prayer” at budget time.
“You know we really would like to leave in our Community Grants Program with whatever level we think we can afford,” he said, recalling Council’s mindset at that time. “We do it hoping that revenues allow us to do that. We do give all that we can. And we try to do the most good that we can out there in the community.”
Councilmember Krista Jett said this Council meeting is her favorite of each year.
“This is my third now and it’s so special,” said Jett, noting there were representatives from organizations serving every generation of Scotts Valley. “It’s one of those things that warms my heart and almost makes me want to cry, because it’s so nice and meaningful—and especially during these challenging times, when stress and uncertainty are so high for all of us, and especially our most vulnerable populations.”
Mayor Donna Lind recalled how during the pandemic the City was unable to administer the grants program due to financial challenges.
“And it was the hardest year for us all,” she said, adding there have been other years where it wasn’t clear Scotts Valley was going to be able to follow through with its interest in continuing the program. “Thankfully, we’ve been able to. So, it really is a priority, as everyone said. My mom used to come in every year for Project Scout, until I lost her at 99. So, she would tell me, ‘I’m going to City Hall. I’m going to talk to ‘em about Project Scout’—and Meals on Wheels and so many of the senior services.”
She said she’s seen how there are children who wouldn’t get the dental care they need without the assistance from Dientes Community Dental.
“It breaks my heart that we can’t fund it all,” she said. “Wish we could do it all. And we’re going to keep fighting to do what we can.”
Clark moved staff recommendation, which was seconded by Councilmember Greg Wimp. It carried unanimously.
