City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: KATE GARVEY, DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND
HUMAN SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Review of the Alexandria Fund for Human Services FY 2024 to FY 2026 Grantmaking Process and Recommendations for Improvements.
BODY
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ISSUE: Provide City Council with an accounting of the FY 2024 to FY 2026 Alexandria Fund for Human Services (AFHS) grantmaking process.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Accept the review of the AFHS FY 2024 to FY 2026 grant making process; and
(2) Accept staff review and recommendations for improvements for ensuing grant cycle.
BACKGROUND: For the past fifteen years, the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) has coordinated and managed AFHS's competitive grants process and oversight of the grants awarded to non-profit and community agencies. The fund is intended to address critical needs and the key priorities approved by Council.
Prior to the launch of the AFHS FY 2024 to FY 2026 grantmaking process, and at City Council's request, DCHS staff convened a Reform Committee in the fall of 2022. The committee comprised of members of human service-related Boards and Commissions and community stakeholders was asked to:
1. Review funding areas and priorities to determine if the AFHS competitive process is the appropriate vehicle for funding these areas and the related fiscal impact.
2. Review relevant data to determine critical outcomes/impact areas and structure for future grant cycles.
3. Explore mechanisms that will allow collaboration among and between community-based organizations that provide services to City residents.
4. Develop a better understanding of racial and ethnic communities most impacted using prior AFHS data.
5. Seek to explore ways to e...
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