Title
A Resolution of the City Commission approving Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Cultural Grant recipients and setting in place a funding mechanism contingent on the City’s approved budget. (Unanimously recommended by the Cultural Development Board approval/denial vote: 6 to 0).
Lobbyist: N/R
Body
One of the responsibilities of the City's Cultural Development Board is to recommend to the City Commission the annual allocation of cultural grant funding.
On March 14, 2023, the City Commission adopted amendments to the Cultural Grant guidelines and process to encourage greater participation in the program. These amendments included bonus points for the following scenarios:
+5 if organization’s principal address is in Coral Gables as verified by their non-profit corporation profile in Sunbiz.
+5 if application includes programming of free event(s).
+2 if organization’s operating budget is $50,000 or less as verified by tax records.
On June 3, 2024, the Cultural Development Board reviewed and scored 45 applications for the allocation of City of Coral Gables Cultural Grants funding in the categories of: Coral Gables Core Cultural Organization and Coral Gables Cultural Programs. One application was required by the Coral Gables Museum, funded separately.
Last year the allocated funding was $191,228, with gradual increases frozen since 2020 due to the pandemic. The Cultural Development Board has consistently recommended an increase in the fund since this time.
Proposed funding of 41 applicants and their scores (including the Coral Gables Museum) are shown on Exhibit A attached to the proposed Resolution.
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