Concord, Calif. – At its March 7 meeting, the Concord City Council allocated $7 million in one-time federal funds to 22 local nonprofits serving the Concord community. The funds come from the overall $27 million that Concord received as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
“As a City that benefits from the contributions of so many wonderful nonprofit organizations, we are grateful for this unique, one-time opportunity to make a significant investment in their work,” said Concord Mayor Laura Hoffmeister.
“Selecting the 22 recipients and allocating the $7 million was not an easy task,” she said. “There are many worthy organizations who make a big difference in the lives of our residents.”
The City received 70 eligible grant applications, with a combined funding request of $34.4 million.
In September 2022, Council appointed an ad hoc committee consisting of then-Mayor Dominic Aliano and Hoffmeister. The two reviewed all applications, which were submitted by Oct. 28, 2022. All applicants were then invited to participate in interviews with the ad hoc committee. Each ad hoc committee member scored each application based on a 100-point rubric, with 200 total points possible when scoring sheets were combined.
The 22 organizations selected for funding will receive grants ranging from $50,000 to $1.5 million; 80% will be distributed initially, with the remaining 20% at a later date. Funds must be spent by December 2024, and the City will require documentation and follow up to ensure the funds were spent as intended
Awardees Include:
| Applicant | Project Name | Allocation |
| Bay Area Crisis Nursery | Bay Area Crisis Nursery | $75,000 |
| BD Performing Arts | BDPA Community Arts Programs | $100,000 |
| Cancer Support Community SF Bay Area | Cancer Support Programs | $50,000 |
| Community Youth Center of Concord | Community Youth Center (CYC) of Concord Facilities Upgrade |
$1,500,000 |
| Concord Historical Society | Concord Heritage Center and History Museum |
$496,000 |
| Contra Costa Economic Partnership | Career Exposure Through Work-based Learning |
$200,000 |
| Dentist on Wheels Pittsburg Free Dental Clinic at St. Vincent de Paul | Dentist on Wheels Expansion Plan | $200,000 |
| Diablo Ballet | Diablo Ballet Annual Season Programming and Educational Outreach in Concord |
$139,000 |
| Friends of Camp Concord | Outdoor Equity – Camp Concord | $180,000 |
| Futures Explored Inc. | The Artist’s Den | $150,000 |
| Japanese American Religious and Cultural Center | JARCC & Diablo JA Club Building Renovation and Centennial Documentary Film 2026 |
$215,000 |
| La Clinica de La Raza | La Clinica Monument Medical Project | $58,000 |
| La Clinica de La Raza | Monument Optometry | $500,000 |
| Leaven Kids | Leaven Kids Concord Centers | $105.000 |
| Meals on Wheels Diablo Region | Breakfast Bags & Cultural Cuisine | $700.000 |
| Mindful Life Project | Mindfulness for Concord Schools | $111,000 |
| Monument Impact | Monument Families Recovery Program (MFRP) |
$1,500,00 |
| Mt. Diablo Education Foundation | Outdoor Educational Equity for Concord Students |
$58,000 |
| Visit Concord | Visit Concord Non-Profit Application | $200,00 |
| Visit Concord, CA | Visit Concord Non-Profit Application- Accessible Concord |
$50,000 |
| White Pony Express | Food Rescue Program | $200,000 |
| Yours Humanity | Early Literacy Support for Concord Elementary Schools |
$213,000 |
View the complete staff report with full project descriptions and additional details.
Background
Congress approved the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), which provides federal
stimulus funds intended to address the ongoing economic recovery following substantial
financial losses suffered during the pandemic.
The City of Concord received $27 million in one-time federal ARPA dollars; $8 million has been
spent on pandemic recovery efforts. In September 2022, the Concord City Council identified the
funding categories, dollar allocations to spending categories, and the process for allocating the
remaining $19 million within each spending category.
- $7 million: City Projects, Public Safety and Special Events – allocated Feb. 7, 2023
- $7 million: Grants for Nonprofit Organizations – allocated March 7, 2023
- $3 million: Support for the Unhoused – set aside for use upon the completion of the
City’s Homeless Strategic Plan - $2 million: Grants for Small Businesses – half allocated in December 2022; second half to
be allocated in mid-2023
