Attachment 1 - Community Grants Program GuidelinesCommunity Grant Programs
The Town provides grants of Town General Fund monies to local nonprofit agencies that provide human service,
art, cultural, and educational programming. Funding priority is given to agencies serving the largest number of low
and moderate -income clientele and whose funding request directly benefits Los Gatos residents. The grant
applicant must be incorporated as a tax-exempt nonprofit corporation (IRS 501-C 3) and/or exist as another
governmental entity.
Grant applications must be submitted online. See applications below for additional details and deadlines.
Link: Applications for Community Arts and Education Grants
Link: Applications for Community Human Services Grants
General Guidelines
Eligibility: To be eligible for Community Grant funding, agencies must:
1. Submit a separate, completed on-line application form for each project;
2. Be incorporated as a tax-exempt nonprofit corporation (IRS 501-C.3.) and/or exist as another
governmental entity;
3. Demonstrate the managerial and financial capability to receive and expend grant funds;
4. Assure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws including the non- discrimination
requirement; and
5. Demonstrate good faith efforts to secure funding for programs and services from other sources.
Funding Categories: Programs for which funding is requested must qualify under one of the categories below.
Proposals not fitting into one of these categories will not be considered for funding. Applicant services must
directly benefit residents within the incorporated limits of the Town of Los Gatos.
1. Seed Program: Funding for start-up of new programs designed to meet a significant community need or
problem. Proposers must demonstrate a high probability that funding can be sustained beyond the
commitment of Town funds.
2. Project: Funding for one-time projects designed to address a significant community need or problem. Town
funding shall be limited to a specific time -frame, usually not more than one year.
3. Emergency: Funding for operational programs in the community which meet an existing need. Applicants
must demonstrate that: 1) current programs meet stated goals and objectives; 2) financial constraints will
significantly curtail services to Town residents; and 3) future funding to continue the program can be
obtained from other sources. Funding for programs shall be limited to one year.
4. Community Programs: Funding for programs and services to address identified community needs or
problems (as stated in the Town's General Plan, action plans, or other policies).
Evaluation Criteria:
Evaluation criteria include, but are not limited to, the following:
Attachment 1
o Community need for the program
o Uniqueness of program, lack of duplications in service
o Qualifications and experience of the agency and its staff
o Past performance in providing established services and meeting Town requirements
o Effectiveness in serving an identified audience
o Community involvement in program, including volunteers
o Number of Los Gatos clients served vs. total clients served (unduplicated clients)
o Cost per Los Gatos resident vs. cost per non -Los Gatos resident
o Target audience for program (e.g., youth, seniors, students)
o Number of low and very low-income clients served
o Percent of total program budget requested from Town
o Reasonable cost
o Clarity, completeness, and accuracy of grant proposal
This application does not commit the Town to award a contract, pay any costs incurred in preparing the
application, or procure or contract for services or supplies. The Town reserves the right to accept or reject any or
all applications received, to negotiate with all qualified applicants, or to cancel in part or in its entirety the
application if it is in the best interest of the Town. The Town may also negotiate with qualified agencies to meet
community need.
Funding Availability_ The Town Council will decide the amount of available funding for FY 19/20 during the budget
process. Based on the recent past, total funding allocations range from $100,000-$120,000 with Human Service
programs ranging from $80,000-$100,000 and Arts, Cultural, and Educational programs ranging from
$10,000-$20,000.
For additional information, please contact:
Via Phone: Lynda Seastrom, Manager's Office Assistant (408) 354-6832
Via Email: Ieastrom@Iosgatosca.gov
In Person: Town of Los Gatos
Town Manager's Office
110 East Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030