GONZALES — The City of Gonzales is now accepting applications for the Gonzales Community Action Grant for the first time.
“The grant is available to residents, business owners, community groups within Gonzales,” said Deputy City Manager and Director of Community Development Thomas Truszkowski. “Basically we’re looking for citizens who are interested in doing projects that enhance their community. It could be a group that is interested in senior service program and they would put together an application to provide the program and use grant monies from the city.”
Truszkowski also gave the example that the grant application request could be to enhance public safety, similar to a neighborhood watch program.
A total of $20,000 is available to support these programs for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. The Community Action Grants could range from $500 to $5,000.
“This is the first time we have done this,” Truszkowski said. “It’s a new program, and we will be learning as we go along, but we and the City Council think this is a great opportunity for the citizens to get involved in the community.”
The idea of Community Action Grants came from the Measure K Committee. Measure K is the half-cent sales tax that is used within the city and will support the various Community Action Grant programs.
If the Measure K Committee has more applications than funds available, they will have to take that into consideration and make the best recommendation on the best applications.
The applications will be judged on how the project benefits the community and especially related to improving residents’ well-being and quality of life in Gonzales as well as realizing the Gonzales City Vision. The grant looks at the amount of Gonzales leadership involved in starting the project and during its duration and if it is supported by the community, either through donations or volunteers.
The Committee will also be looking at if the application is complete and if there is clear communication about why the organization should be awarded the grant.
The application deadline is Aug. 25 at 4 p.m. There is a mandatory applicant information session scheduled for Aug. 16 in the Community Room at the Gonzales Police Department from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. The Measure K Oversight Subcommittee will meet to evaluate the applications on Sept. 6 and recommendations will be made on Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.
