By Khalida Sarwari
Several Saratoga community event organizers are ending the month a little better off financially than when it began, thanks to city grants that will enable them to coordinate their respective events over the course of the next fiscal year.
At its March 20 meeting, the Saratoga City Council allocated nearly $20,000 in community event grant funding to 14 different organizers. The largest allocation–$4,600–went to the Saratoga Historical Foundation for its Blossom Festival. The Saratoga Grammar School reunion committee received the smallest amount at $118 for its upcoming reunion event. Both received less than what they had requested.
The other events that received funding include Bollywood Dance, Celebrating Service, Foodie on the Run, the Hansel and Gretel opera, Library: Heart of the Community, Memorial Day Observance, Opera at Wildwood Park to Celebrate Bastille Day, Saratoga Community Band’s Sunday Afternoon Concert in the Park, the Saratoga Community Health and Wellness event, the Saratoga July Fourth celebration, the Saratoga Sister City 30th Anniversary open house and the Village Holiday Tree Lighting and Wine Stroll.
In making their decision, the council gave highest priority to Saratoga-based nonprofits that are planning an event in the city intended to bring the community together and establish an identity for the city. Organizers were required to demonstrate that they could produce an event for which they could manage the costs, attract attendees and obtain any necessary permits and other authorizations in a timely manner.
“I wanted to make sure that whatever event we support benefited the entire community,” Councilman Manny Cappello said before reading his list of candidates.
The organizers will use the grant funding to cover the cost of event materials, supplies, contract services, permits and city-related fees, such as park rental or permit costs.
The city began holding an annual formal application process for community event grants last year. The process came about after years of the council considering requests for event grants or waiver of city-related fees.
This year, the city received four proposals for the current fiscal year and 18 for 2013-14. None of the four organizers who applied for funds for 2012-13 were granted their requests, mostly because they were deemed limited in their ability to build community. The applicants were the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for the Easter Egg Hunt; the San Jose Wind Symphony for its production of “Circus Circus”; the Saratoga Cares Foundation for Saratoga’s Got Talent; and Senior New Ways Inc. for its Vintage Music Therapy for Memory Expo.
Most of the 22 applicants attended the March 20 meeting to give a presentation to the council about their events and answer questions.
City council allocates $20,000 in community event grant funding
