Title
Approval of the 2025 - 2026 Inspire Olympia Funding Recommendation
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Move to recommend and forward to City Council for approval a recommendation from the Cultural Access Advisory Board for one-year Impact Fund contracts for services from July 2025 through June 2026 and an allocation for Cultural Access Programs in Olympia Public Schools.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to recommend approval of the Cultural Access Advisory Board funding recommendations and advance them to City Council for consideration.
Report Issue:
Whether to recommend approval of the Cultural Access Advisory Board funding recommendations and advance them to City Council for consideration.
Staff Contact:
Marygrace Goddu, Inspire Olympia Program Manager, Community Planning & Development, 360.480.0923
Presenter(s):
Marygrace Goddu, Inspire Olympia Program Manager
Melissa Meade, Cultural Access Advisory Board Chair
Background and Analysis:
The Inspire Olympia Cultural Access Program is funded by one-tenth of one percent of Olympia’s sales tax, approved by voters in 2022 and authorized for a period of seven years, through 2029. This Cultural Access Tax revenue is to be used to support the work of local nonprofit organizations who are mission-focused in the arts, sciences, and culture, and who offer public programming in Olympia.
The Cultural Access Advisory Board (CAAB) advises the City Council on Inspire Olympia Cultural Access Program implementation, reviews grant applications and recommends funding awards for approval.
Inspire Olympia offers two grant application pathways. This two-track system right-sizes the competitive environment and balances the distribution of funding among applicants that differ greatly in size and sophistication. Small, new and fiscally sponsored organizations can apply for one year Impact Fund grants of up to $30k. Larger, more experienced organizations can seek two-year funding contracts of up to $75k per year and must meet more rigorous goals and standards.
Funding is also allocated each year to support Cultural Access in Olympia Public Schools (CAPS) including field trips and related transportation costs.
This briefing presents the CAAB’s recommended funding awards for 2025-26 one-year Impact Fund contracts, and a recommended CAPS allocation for 2025-26.
2025 - 2026 Impact Fund Applicants
A total of 70 cultural organizations applied for Impact Funding by the March 15 deadline this year; which amounts to 30 more applicants than last year. Of these 30 applicants, 9 failed to meet eligibility requirements or submitted incomplete applications, and one applicant withdrew. Proposals from 60 eligible organizations were evaluated and scored by two review panels composed of CAAB members and additional members of the public.
Reviewers evaluated the public benefit of each proposal in light of Inspire Olympia’s funding goals, and scored each application based on:
• Programming merit and value
• Community engagement and impact
• Commitment to equity and access
• Youth programming if offered
• Capacity and feasibility
Scores were compiled across all reviewers and forwarded to the full CAAB for blind consideration, looking at scores only.
CAAB Recommendation
The CAAB recommends awarding $1.3m in Impact Funding contracts for the 2025-26 funding cycle, with award amounts for each organization set by their overall scores, as follows:
• Proposals scoring 70 percent or more to receive 100% of their request.
• Proposals scoring 60 - 69 percent to receive 75% of their requested amount.
• Proposals scoring 50 - 59 percent to receive 50% of their requested amount.
• Proposals scoring below 50 percent are not recommended for funding.
In addition, the CAAB recommends an allotment of 12% of the total annual Cultural Access Fund revenue, or $375k, for Cultural Access in Olympia Public Schools, to pay for field trip support including transportation reimbursements to the Olympia School District (OSD), and a staff position to support Inspire Olympia programs for educators and students.
In determining the total amount available for 2025 - 2026 Impact Fund contracts, the following projections and program spending goals were considered:
• The program should plan for the Comprehensive Funding applicant cohort to grow slightly next year.
• The program should plan for CAPS spending to gradually increase as new school programs are developed for 2026-28 and future years.
• Income from the Cultural Access Tax is likely to stay flat, at about $3.1m per year, rather than grow.
• Cultural Access Tax revenue that accrued prior to the first Inspire Olympia funding cycle should be spent gradually over the remaining life of the program (through June 2030) for sustained, reliable funding for cultural programs during a period of Federal and State cuts that may serve to undermine equitable access.
Climate Analysis:
There is no direct climate impact from this recommendation. Inspire Olympia funding supports several programs that seek to understand the human impact on the natural world and our climate, and to grow future innovators, creatives, and leaders.
Equity Analysis:
Achieving greater equity through enhanced access to the arts, science and culture is a fundamental goal of Inspire Olympia that has informed Inspire Olympia’s funding priorities and granting framework, eligibility criteria, and the evaluation process that leads to annual funding recommendations.
As funded organizations report on their activities in the coming year, Inspire Olympia will assess public benefit, identify gaps, and analyze how and where access to creative opportunities and experiences is increasing, including for Title One schools and grades with the greatest need.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
As a voter approved taxing program, Inspire Olympia holds considerable public interest. Outgoing payments to funded organizations are linked to required reporting to ensure accountability.
Financial Impact:
Inspire Olympia is funded with a dedicated portion of City of Olympia sales tax, deposited into the Cultural Access Fund. The projected 2025 income is $3,100,000.00.
Options:
1. Move to recommend approval of the Cultural Access Advisory Board funding recommendations and advance them to City Council for consideration.
2. Move to recommend approval of the amended Cultural Access Advisory Board funding recommendations and advance them to City Council for consideration.
3. Do not forward the recommendation.
Attachments:
2025 Inspire Olympia Program Budget
Funding Recommendation
Presentation