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 p...
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