REPORT TO COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY EVENT AND NEIGHBORHOOD GRANT PROGRAM
SUBJECT
Title
Consideration of 2026 Community Events and Neighborhood Grant Program Applications - Spring Cycle
Report
BACKGROUND
The 2026 Community Events and Neighborhood Grant Program has a total budget of $150,000 distributed across two application cycles: Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. In January 2026, the City Council approved $95,895 in funding for the Fall Cycle, leaving $54,105 available for the Spring Cycle.
The Spring 2026 application cycle received 18 total applications: four Community Event applications, five Neighborhood Grant applications, and nine Neighborhood Block Party applications. The total funding requested across all categories is $36,587.
The Community Event and Neighborhood Grant Distribution Subcommittee (Subcommittee) is responsible for making funding recommendations. The Subcommittee consists of three City Council members tasked with conducting a biannual grant review. For the Spring application cycle, the Subcommittee's responsibilities include: (1) reviewing grant applications and (2) presenting recommended funding levels to City Council for approval.
At the December 1, 2025 Subcommittee meeting, the following funding levels for the 2025 Fall Cycle were reviewed and recommended to the City Council for approval. The subsequent approval occurred on January 13, 2026:
• $54,195 for Community Events;
• $36,800 for Neighborhood Grants;
• $4,900 for Neighborhood Block Parties;
• $95,895 total
The Spring application cycle was open from February 23 to March 27, 2026. Outreach efforts included direct contact with grantees and applicants from the past three years, local nonprofits, neighborhood associations, and community partners. In addition, application information was distributed through multiple City communication channels, including the City website, City Council announcements, Update Sunnyvale, and the Recreation e-newsletter.
This report presents grant applications received during the 2026 Spring Cycle and seeks direction from the Subcommittee on recommended funding levels for each application. The Subcommittee is scheduled to present its recommendations to the City Council on June 16, 2026.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Adopted Strategic Goal - Welcoming Community
An accessible, engaged and welcoming community
Council Policy 7.2.1, Community Engagement - Goals and Policies
Goal B: Achieve a community in which all community members can be actively involved in shaping the quality of life and participate in local community and government activities.
Goal C: Create a strong, positive community identity, rich in cultural diversity.
Council Policy 7.2.18, Special Events
D. Community Event Program
The City may fund community events through this program.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action considered does not constitute a “project” with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(4) in that it is a fiscal activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potential significant impact on the environment.
DISCUSSION
Spring 2026 Cycle - Applications and Staff Recommendations
CENGP has a total allocation of $150,000 for FY 2025/26. Following the January 2026 City Council approval of $95,895 for the Fall 2025 Cycle, $54,105 remains available for the Spring Cycle.
Staff reviewed all applications and adjusted funding requests as necessary to ensure compliance with program guidelines. The following tables consolidate each category's applications, requested amounts, and staff-recommended funding levels for Subcommittee consideration.
Community Event Grant Program - Spring 2026
|
Organization |
Event |
Funding Requested |
Recommended Funding |
|
Bay Area Cultural Connections |
Gulen Service Day |
$4,167 |
$4,167 |
|
Duo Duo Project |
Volunteer Appreciation Party |
$1,500 |
$0 |
|
Society of Heart's Delight |
Health & Wellness Festival |
$10,000 |
$7,500 |
|
Sunnyvale Heritage Community Foundation |
2026 Heritage District Halloween Support |
$4,800 |
$4,800 |
|
TOTAL |
$20,467 |
$16,467 |
Staff recommend funding three of the four Community Event applications, all of which are for new events. Two applications are recommended for funding at the fully requested amounts, as these events will not generate revenue, and the submitted budgets provide sufficient detail. The Community Events and Neighborhood Grant Program funding reimburses up to 50% of eligible event costs.
Staff are recommending partial funding or no funding for the other two spring 2026 community event applications.
• Society of Heart's Delight - Health & Wellness Festival: This is a new event with no prior hosting history. The submitted budget lacked sufficient detail, and estimated costs were higher than comparable line items in other special event budgets, including those implemented by staff. Staff recommend funding this application at $7,500, rather than the requested $10,000.
• Duo Duo Project - Volunteer Appreciation Party: Staff recommends no funding for this application. The proposed event does not meet program guidelines, which require events to celebrate Sunnyvale's diverse community. This event is intended to be a party to recognize the organization's existing volunteers and recruit future volunteers - an internal organizational purpose rather than a community-oriented one. Additionally, Duo Duo Project has already received a Community Event grant in the current program year (Fall Cycle) for its Pet Appreciation Celebration.
Neighborhood Grant Program - Spring 2026
|
Neighborhood Association (NA) |
Project |
Funding Requested |
Recommended Funding |
|
Cumberland South NA |
4th of July Parade and Potluck |
$2,000 |
$2,000 |
|
Lakewood Village NA |
Events, picnic, parade, newsletters |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
|
Panama Park NA |
PPNA outreach |
$1,370 |
$1,370 |
|
Gavello Glen NA |
National Night Out |
$2,000 |
$1,500 |
|
Cherryhill NA, Part 2 |
Neighborhood Crim & Safety Decals |
$1,250 |
$1,250 |
|
TOTAL |
$11,620 |
$11,120 |
Staff recommend funding all five Neighborhood Grant applications. The program utilizes a three-tier funding structure based on neighborhood association size:
• Tier 1: fewer than 250 households are eligible for a maximum of $1,500
• Tier 2: 251-499 households are eligible for a maximum of $3,000
• Tier 3: 500+ households are eligible for a maximum of $5,000
Four of the five applications aligned with the funding limits established under the tiered system. The one exception is Gavello Glen Neighborhood Association, a Tier 1 association that requested $2,000 - exceeding the $1,500 maximum for its tier. Staff recommend funding Gavello Glen at the Tier 1 maximum of $1,500.
Panama Park Neighborhood Association: The Association was awarded a 2025 Neighborhood Grant but didn’t complete their proposed activities. Staff are recommending funding for this cycle and will provide additional support, if necessary, to ensure proposed activities for 2026 grant cycle will be implemented.
Cherryhill Neighborhood Association was awarded a $3,750 Neighborhood Grant in the Fall Cycle. Since they are Tier 4 association eligible for a maximum of $5,000 in grant funding, they submitted another Neighborhood Grant application in the current Spring Cycle for the difference ($1,250).
Neighborhood Association Block Party Applications - Spring 2026
|
Block Party Application |
Funding Requested |
Recommended Funding |
|
Cherry Chase - Morningside Drive |
$500 |
$500 |
|
Cherry Chase - Kenbridge Court |
$500 |
$500 |
|
Cherry Chase - Grape Ave. |
$500 |
$500 |
|
Cherryhill NA |
$500 |
$500 |
|
Murphy District Association |
$500 |
$500 |
|
OPNA - Boblink Circle |
$500 |
$500 |
|
SNAIL - Fair Oaks |
$500 |
$500 |
|
SNAIL #2 - Fair Oaks |
$500 |
$500 |
|
SunnyArts NA |
$500 |
$500 |
|
TOTAL |
$4,500 |
$4,500 |
Staff recommend funding all nine Block Party applications. Six neighborhood associations submitted applications, with some submitting multiple requests. All applications adhered to program guidelines regarding the maximum number of submissions permitted based on association size:
• Tier 1: maximum number of block party applications is 2
• Tier 2: maximum number of block party applications is 4
• Tier 3: maximum number of block party applications is 6
Important Note: Two neighborhood associations, Cherryhill (June 13) and SunnyArts (June 6), have scheduled their block party events prior to the anticipated City Council approval date of June 16, 2026. If neighborhood associations want to hold their events before the June 16 City Council meeting, they may do so, but they will not have a guarantee of funding.
With $54,105 remaining in the fund, the recommended Spring Cycle total of $32,087 is well within the program's $150,000 annual budget.
A funding summary of all Spring 2026 CENGP applicants, along with completed applications, is attached (Attachments 2-5). Personal information for all applicants and project team members has been redacted for privacy.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funding for CENGP is appropriated in the General Fund under Project 835490 - Community Event & Neighborhood Grants. Any remaining funds will return to fund balance and will not roll over into the 2027 grant cycle.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Subcommittee agenda on the City's official notice bulletin board, on the City’s website, and the availability of the agenda and report in the Office of the City Clerk.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Recommend that the funding levels outlined in the 2026 Spring Application Cycle Funding Summary be submitted to City Council for final approval.
2. Take other action as determined by the Subcommittee.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1: Recommend that the funding levels outlined in the 2026 Spring Application Cycle Funding Summary be submitted to City Council for final approval. The total grant distribution for Spring Cycle would be $32,087, funding an additional 17 events across the City.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
An “X” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract*
___ Labor or personal employment contract
_X_ Contract under $50,000 or non-fiscal (for grants under $50,000)
___ Contract between public agencies
___ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: Angela Chan, Recreation Services Manager
Reviewed by: Laura Jammal, Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Jesus Raygoza, Deputy Director of Recreation Services
Reviewed by: Michelle Perera, Director of Library and Recreation Services
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Reserved for Report to Council
2. 2026 Community Event and Neighborhood Grant Program, Spring Cycle, Recommended Funding Summary
3. 2026 Community Events Grant Applications Packet, Spring Cycle
4. 2026 Neighborhood Grant Applications Packet, Spring Cycle
5. 2026 Block Party Applications Packet, Spring Cycle
6. 2025 Fall Funding Breakdown
7. Staff Presentation