Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Funding Recommendation of The Cultural Access Advisory Board for the 2025-2026 Inspire Olympia Contracts
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Move to approve the Cultural Access Advisory Board’s recommendation 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, as recommended by the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to a Resolution authorizing the funding recommendation of the Cultural Access Advisory Board for the 2025-2026 Inspire Olympia Contracts.
Report Issue:
Whether to a Resolution authorizing the funding recommendation of the Cultural Access Advisory Board for the 2025-2026 Inspire Olympia Contracts.
Staff Contact:
Marygrace Goddu, Inspire Olympia Program Manager, Community Planning & Economic Development, 360.480.0923
Presenter(s):
Marygrace Goddu, Inspire Olympia Program Manager
Melissa Meade, Chair, Cultural Access Advisory Board
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 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 business item presents the CAAB’s recommended funding awards for 2025-26 one-year Impact Fund contracts and a recommended CAPS allocation for 2025-26 for City Council approval.
2025 - 2026 Impact Fund Applicants
Sixty eligible organizations submitted proposals for funding that 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, and
• Capacity and feasibility
Scores were averaged 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 CAAB assumed that program demand will continue to grow while cultural tax revenue will remain flat, for at least the next few years. To secure Inspire Olympia funding as a reliable and sustained resource, they recommend a gradual spend-down of revenues accrued prior to the first funding cycle, to support steady funding levels each cycle over the remaining life of the program.
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 the 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 a Resolution authorizing the funding recommendation of the Cultural Access Advisory Board for the 2025-2026 Inspire Olympia Contracts
2. Move to approve Resolution authorizing the funding recommendation of the Cultural Access Advisory Board for the 2025-2026 Inspire Olympia Contracts with amendments.
3. Do not approve the recommendation.
Attachments:
Resolution
Recommended Contract Awards
2025 Inspire Olympia Program Budget