REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
PHIL SKEI, Assistant Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: AKIO LOPEZ, Senior Management Analyst
Community Development Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Non-Profit Public Services activities in accordance with the 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan
1. Approve the agreement between the City of Fresno and Poverello House in the amount of $163,000 for the Culinary Workforce Development Program through June 30, 2026.
2. Approve the agreement between the City of Fresno and Boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno County in the amount of $37,000 for the Educate and Inspire Fresno Youth Program through June 30, 2026.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve the subrecipient agreement between the City of Fresno and Poverello House in the amount of $163,000 to fund the Culinary Workforce Development Program and approve the subrecipient agreement between the City of Fresno and Boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno County in the amount of $37,000 to fund the Educate and Inspire Fresno Youth Program.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council previously approved $200,000 in CDBG funds for eligible organizations that provide eligible public services activities to low- and moderate-income individuals. Staff released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the $200,000 in CDBG requesting applications for eligible Public Services activities. Four applications were received, reviewed, and scored by staff which is proposing to award $163,000 to Poverello House for the Culinary Workforce Development Program and $37,00 to Boys and Girls Club for the Educate and Inspire Fresno Youth Program. The proposed agreements would be effective from December 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
BACKGROUND
On June 12, 2025, City Council approved the City’s 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan including the 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan. The Annual Action Plan allocated $975,138 of CDBG funds for community services, $200,000 of which was earmarked as ‘to be determined’ following an additional NOFA process.
On August 17, 2025, a NOFA was published for the unallocated $200,000 in CDBG funding available inviting eligible organizations to request funding for eligible public services. Four applications were received by the September 12, 2025, deadline from the following organizations:
• Poverello House requested $200,000 to expand employment readiness services to participants of emergency shelters and rapid rehousing-type programs through paid apprenticeships,
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno County requested $57,632 to expand youth services through sports and enrichment programs,
• Central California Food Bank requested $199,375 to provide job training through paid workforce development, and
• Marjaree Mason Center requested $200,000 to support critical services for individuals and families affected by domestic violence.
The four applications submitted by the deadline were reviewed by an evaluation committee consisting of four staff members from the Community Development Division. The applications were assessed for eligibility and scored based on the criteria published in the NOFA. After review and consideration, the evaluation committee recommended awarding the top two scoring applications, those from Poverello House and Boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno County, to provide the highest direct benefit and ensure the timely expenditure of the funds.
The Poverello House Culinary Workforce Development Program would expand its existing program to provide paid apprenticeships and employment readiness training to low-income individuals in emergency shelter and rapid rehousing-type programs within the city of Fresno. The program would serve 50 participants by providing employment opportunities, developing career readiness skills, assisting in employment placement, and securing food protection manager certifications for at least 20 of the participants. The proposed agreement would provide $163,000 in CDBG funds to Poverello House through June 30, 2026.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno County Educate and Inspire Fresno Youth Program would expand its existing program by implementing team sports and Olympic-style events designed to inspire students to promote engagement. The program would include two, 10-week blocks of structured sports activities at the East Fresno and Zimmerman clubs to include skill development, fundamentals, league play, playoffs, and tournament events for 320 unduplicated youth. The proposed agreement would provide $37,000 in CDBG funds to Boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno County through June 30, 2026.
The other two proposals received either did not align with a priority need identified by the community through our Annual Action Planning Process or did not demonstrate a comparable community benefit to that of the proposals being recommended for funding.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a project for purposes of CEQA pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15378. These activities are Exempt per 24 CFR 58.34 (a)(4) under HUD NEPA Requirements.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable because of the use of federal funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact on the City’s General Fund. These agreements will be funded through the City’s CDBG allocations appropriated in the Planning and Development Department’s FY26 budget.
Attachments:
CDBG Public Services Agreement with Poverello House
CDBG Public Services Agreement with Boys and Girls Club