Title
Inspire Olympia Funding Recommendation
Recommended Action
Move to approve recommendations to fund one-year “Impact” contracts for services from July 2024 through June 2025, and two-year “Comprehensive” contracts for services from July 2024 through June 2026; and an annual funding level for Cultural Access Programs in Olympia Public Schools, from the Cultural Access Fund; and advance the recommendation for City Council consideration.
Report Issue:
Whether to approve funding recommendations.
Staff Contact:
Marygrace Goddu, Inspire Olympia Program Manager, Community Planning & Development, 360.480.0923
Presenter(s):
Ms. Goddu
Amelia Layton, Inspire Olympia Program Specialist
Designated Board member, presenter for Impact Review Panel
Melissa Meade, presenter for Comprehensive Review Panel
Background and Analysis:
City code establishes the Cultural Access Advisory Board (CAAB) and includes the following among the duties of the Board (OMC 2.100.710):
• To review and recommend funding guidelines for cultural access programming consistent with state law,
• To review grant applications for programming that meets criteria for providing public benefit as provided in RCW 36.160.110, and
• To review and recommend funding levels for grant applicants to City Council.
Additionally, the Board is to “recommend a percentage of funds to be available annually to be reserved for a public school cultural access program established and managed by the City to increase opportunities for cultural activities and programming for public school students.”
In 2023 the Board developed eligibility criteria, funding guidelines, and funding goals for Inspire Olympia, and criteria for providing public benefit as directed in the authorizing law.
Two Review Panels were formed to review applications for Inspire Olympia’s two funding pathways. Each panel included four Board members plus additional members of the public, selected for their background and experience. The panels considered the public benefit of each proposal in light of the program funding goals, guidelines, and criteria, with individual review and group discussion. Each panel has prepared funding recommendations for consideration by the full CAAB.
CAAB Discussion and Recommendation Process:
The purpose of this discussion is to develop funding recommendations for City Council based on the recommendations of the Review Panels and the available funding. The recommendations will include award amounts for one-year (“Impact”) and two-year (“Comprehensive”) contracts for services, and for the level of funding for CAPS programs in 2024-25.
Staff will brief the Board on the projected Cultural Access Fund budget balance for 2024. Presentation and discussion will be led by a designated member from each Review Panel. Discussion of the CAPS Program funding level will be led by staff.
The Board will not discuss the merits or score of individual applications. They may discuss categories of applicants and how they are impacted by funding scenarios and program parameters.
Climate Analysis:
The discussion and recommendation have no direct climate impact.
Equity Analysis:
Achieving greater equity through enhanced cultural access is a fundamental goal of Inspire Olympia. As such, ways in which equity could be promoted were carefully considered in the development of the program funding goals, eligibility criteria, and the program funding framework that established two funding pathways, and further reflected in the evaluation and scoring process that render the basis for these funding recommendations.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
N/A
Options:
The Board may:
• Approve funding recommendations.
• Approve amended funding recommendations.
• Do not approve the recommendations.
Financial Impact:
Inspire Olympia is funded with a dedicated portion of City of Olympia sales tax, deposited into the Cultural Access Fund. The projected 2024 income to the Cultural Access Fund is $3,100,000.00.
Attachments
2024 Inspire Olympia Review Panels
2024-2026 Applicant Cohort