Title
Resolution to Authorize the Sustaining Ann Arbor Together Grant Program (SA2T) to Support Community Stakeholders with Advancing A2ZERO and the Community’s Goal of Carbon Neutrality by 2030
Memorandum
The Sustaining Ann Arbor Together Grant Program (“SA2T”) was launched in 2018, upon the recommendation of the Environmental Commission, as a means of promoting and resourcing community-based activities in support of the City's sustainability and climate action goals. Initially launched within Systems Planning, the Program eventually moved to the newly formed Office of Sustainability and Innovations where it has lived ever since.
Through the award of individual grants, the SA2T helps neighborhood groups and community-based organizations develop, resource, and complete small-scale improvement projects in the City's rights-of-way or on publicly-owned property, that advance sustainability-related outcomes. Each grant awarded is less than $10,000 (excluding neighborhood contributions). Since 2019, the total annual grant program funding has been $100,000, which comes from the budget of the Office of Sustainability and Innovations.
The following entities are eligible for a grant:
• Neighborhood associations (registered with the City); or
• Nonprofit entities registered with the State of Michigan
Interested candidates must submit their SA2T Grant Application online <https://www.a2gov.org/departments/city-administrator/Pages/Community-Grant-Application.aspx>. Applications must include: contact information; project information, including a description of the proposed project and estimated costs; sustainability information including the connection of the project to the City’s A2ZERO plan and sustainability framework; specific-project information including deliverables, timeline, completion data, and a short description on how the project will be sustained (if relevant); and signatures of applicants and associated parties.
Awards are granted by the Office of Sustainability and Innovations on a rolling basis with a panel of City staff convening to review applications as they are submitted. It generally takes between 6-8 weeks from application submittal to award notification. All grantees agree to submit an annual report chronicling their project, the impact, any verifiable metrics, and a short description of lessons learned. More information on the grant program can be found at www.a2gov.org/sa2t <http://www.a2gov.org/sa2t>.
To-date, the City has awarded over thirty (30) SA2T grants to a variety of nonprofit and neighborhood-based associations that meet the Program requirements. Given the interest in this Program and its alignment with the City’s goal around climate action, general sustainability, and community engagement, the Office of Sustainability and Innovations seeks to formalize the program, including the review and award processes, with City Council authorization through this Resolution. Going forward, the Office of Sustainability and Innovations recommends continued funding of $100,000 per year from the Office of Sustainability and Innovations budget for SA2T grant awards.
Staff
Prepared by: Missy Stults, Sustainability and Innovations Director
Reviewed by: Jennifer Richards, Assistant City Attorney
Marti Praschan, Chief Financial Officer
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, In the past, the Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations has dedicated a portion of its budget each year to support the Sustaining Ann Arbor Together Grant program;
Whereas, This funding has supported more than thirty (30) community-focused sustainability improvement projects in the City's rights-of-way or on publicly-owned property; and
Whereas, Interest continues to grow in this program and Office of Sustainability and Innovations seeks to formalize the SA2T Program with formal City Council authorization;
RESOLVED, That Ann Arbor City Council authorizes the Sustaining Ann Arbor Together Grant Program (SA2T).
RESOLVED, That City Council authorizes the Sustainability and Innovations Director, or their designee, under the guidance of the City Administrator, to administer the Sustaining Ann Arbor Together Grant Program (SA2T), including the application review process and the award of grants to eligible entities that engage in community-based activities in support of the City's sustainability and climate action goals.