City Council Approves Funding Guidelines for FY 2023-27 Human Services Grants Program
August 25, 2022 1:49 PM
At last night’s meeting, the Santa Monica City Council approved funding guidelines for the Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) along with the authorization to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit applications for the FY 2023-27 HSGP funding cycle.
The Human Services Grants Program is designed to address critical community needs and gaps in existing service systems, while also offering funding stability to local social service agencies. With a total operating budget of approximately $8 million, the HSGP currently funds 35 distinct programs run by 19 agencies, serving approximately 30,000 residents annually. HSGP programs aim to improve the wellbeing and quality of life of the City’s youth and families, people with disabilities, seniors, survivors of domestic violence, low-income households, and people experiencing homelessness.
The proposed funding guidelines were developed through a robust outreach process to engage the community and receive input and feedback in preparation for the new HSGP funding cycle, which has informed all aspects of the RFP development.
Highlights of the proposed RFP include:
- A framework centered around impact areas of lifelong learning, stability, and health and wellness, providing uniformity across agencies and programs to clearly measure and report performance.
- The establishment of a review panel in partnership with the We Are Santa Monica Fund Advisory Board to recruit subject matter experts and those with lived experience to review proposals.
- Funding allocations that are considered holistically across applications to ensure the HSGP maintains a balanced portfolio that serves a range of vulnerable and underserved populations with services that include both prevention and direct client aid.
- Revised agency eligibility to allow for a broader pool of applicants while maintaining quality programs and fiscal best practices.
Staff will release the FY2023-27 HSGP RFP in the fall of 2022 and final HSGP funding awards will be made as part of the final biennial budget adoption in June 2023. The FY2023-27 HSGP funding cycle will start July 1, 2023.
For more information, visit https://www.santamonica.gov/human-services-grants-program.
Media Contact
Tati Simonian
Public Information Officer
Tati.Simonian@santamonica.gov