REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SANTINO DANISI, MBA, City Controller/Finance Director
BY: COURTNEY ESPINOZA, Business Manager
Finance Department, Grants Management Unit
SUBJECT
Title
Approve a Grant Agreement with Lighthouse for Children, Inc. allocating $150,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support a partnership with the Dollywood Foundation implementing the Imagination Library program in the City of Fresno.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve an agreement with Lighthouse for Children, Inc. for $150,000 in ARPA funding to support a partnership with the Dollywood Foundation to implement the Imagination Library program in the City of Fresno and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement, amendments, and modifications pertaining to this grant program. This partnership will supply age-appropriate books to children 0 - 5 years old in the City of Fresno, specifically in zip codes 93706 and 93722.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff recommends Council approve an agreement with Lighthouse for Children, Inc. for $150,000 in ARPA funding to support a partnership with the Dollywood Foundation to provide age-appropriate books to children ages 0 - 5 years old in the City of Fresno. As a beneficiary of ARPA funding, Lighthouse for Children, Inc. will receive funding to implement the Imagination Library program supporting these efforts.
BACKGROUND
In 2021, the City of Fresno was awarded American Rescue Plan Act funding in the amount of $170,808,029. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and negative economic impacts in the City of Fresno, families in disadvantaged zip codes do not have access to age-appropriate books for children ages 0 - 5 years old. During the FY 2025 budget proceedings, at the request of Councilmember Maxwell, $150,000 in ARPA funding was approved by City Council to allocate to the Dollywood Foundation program. In order to facilitate this program, the Dollywood Foundation has partnered with Lighthouse for Children,...
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