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 Recomme...
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