Title
Inspire Olympia Funding Recommendations for 2025 -2026
Recommended Action
Move to approve recommendations to fund one-year “Impact” contracts for services from July 2025 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 &
Economic Development, 360.480.0923
Presenter(s):
Ms. Goddu
Amelia Layton, Inspire Olympia Program Specialist
Background and Analysis:
City code establishes the Cultural Access Advisory Board (CAAB) and includes among the duties of the Board (OMC 2.100.710):
• 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.
• 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.”
Two Review Panels were formed to review 62 applications for Inspire Olympia’s 2025-26 Impact Fund grants. Each panel included six members, including Board members plus additional members of the public, selected for their background and experience.
The panels reviewed for overall public benefit and alignment with Inspire Olympia funding goals, and scored applicants in the areas of Programming Merit and Value, Community Engagement and Impact, Equity and Access, and Capacity and Feasibility. Those offering Youth Programming were additionally evaluated in that area.
In group discussion, each panel developed a general funding recommendation for the group of applications they reviewed, for consideration by the full CAAB.
CAAB Discussion and Recommendation Process:
The purpose of this discussion is to develop funding recommendations for one-year Impact Grants for City Council approval. Additionally, the Board will recommend a level of funding to be allocated for Cultural Access in Public Schools (CAPS) in 2025-26.
Staff will brief the Board on the projected Cultural Access Fund balance and budget for 2025. Long-term program budget and grant funding levels for future granting cycles will be discussed at the July CAAB meeting.
The Board will not revisit the scores of individual applications reached in the Review Panel process. Members 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 and is built into every aspect of program implementation, including the Inspire Olympia program funding goals, applicant eligibility criteria, the program funding framework that offers two funding pathways for equitable competitive access, and the evaluation and scoring process that are the basis for grant funding recommendations.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
N/A
Options:
The Board may:
• Approve funding recommendations offered by the Review Panels.
• Approve amended funding recommendations.
• Do not approve the recommendations.
Financial Impact:
Inspire Olympia is funded by one-tenth of one percent of City of Olympia sales tax, deposited into the Cultural Access Fund. The projected 2025 income to the Cultural Access Fund is $3,200,000.00.
Attachments
2025 Review Panels and Eligible Applicants