On Tuesday, the Brentwood City Council will look to award funding for its 2025-26 Economic Development Grant Program.
If approved, the city would allocate $154,500 in funds as recommended by the Land Use and Development Committee (LUD). The fiscal year 2025-26 Economic Development Grant Program has a total of $179,315 available for funding. Funds for the Economic Development Grant Program are sourced from the required 20% set-aside in the City’s Business License Tax program and do not have a General Fund impact.
In May, LUD was told that this year, eighteen (18) applications were received, totaling approximately $377,000 in grant requests. The City has approximately $180,000 available to fund competitive grants. Last year, City Council awarded a total of $139,500 in competitive grants. The applications were due April 28, 2025.
Ricardo Noguera, Economic Development Manager, shared of the 18 applicants, 8 are from new applicants, 4 from cultural, 4 from arts, 4 from businesses & economic development, 4 from education, 2 from recreation. 12 non-profits, 6 for profits that submitted applications.
The following reflects LUD’s recommendations to the City Council:
| Project/Event | Organization | FY 24/25 Funding Award | Requested Funding | LUD’s Commended Funding |
| Annual Father’s Day Tournament & Festival | Chosen Sports League, inc. | $0 | $25,000 | $6,000 |
| Banner UP! | Art Guild of the Delta, Inc. | $5,000 | $13,000 | $5,000 |
| BowBow Fest | Doggy Mama’s Kitchen | $0 | $24,814 | $0 |
| Brentwood On Ice | Got a Party | $22,500 | $44,000 | $25,000 |
| Brentwood Security Job Placement Program | Affiliated Martial Arts Promoters Association | $0 | $21,900 | $0 |
| Brentwood Turkey Trot | Brentowod Elementary & Liberty HS Districts | $11,000 | $33,000 | $10,000 |
| Community Impact Through Inclusive Events & Education Support | Chill Tea & Coffee | $0 | $8,000 | $4,000 |
| Delta Quilters Guild 2026 Quilt Show | Delta Quilters Guild | $3,800 | $3,800 | $3,800 |
| Dia De Los Muertos | Azucar Candies & More | $18,000 | $18,000 | $18,000 |
| Dream Team After School Program | Dream House: A Center for Family Development | $0 | $97,000 | $0 |
| East Bay Business Expo & Job Fair 2026 | Brentwood Chamber of Commerce | $9,000 | $9,000 | $14,000 |
| Exception Day | Be Exceptional | $0 | $5,000 | $2,500 |
| Festival 10 4.0 | Ghostlight Theater Ensemble | $0 | $16,000 | $8,000 |
| La Gran Fiesta | Brentwood Chamber of Commerce | $6,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Luna Year Festival | Chinese Cultural Club | $1,000 | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| Merchandise Tailored | Spinola Farms & Co | $0 | $5,000 | $0 |
| Novacon | Lovely Nova Arts | $0 | $5,000 | $3,000 |
| Oktoberfest | Brentwood Downtown Coalition | $44,000 | $44,000 | $44,000 |
| Total | $383,714 | $154,500 |
Staff Report — click here
Editors Note
Two banners placed in downtown Brentwood via Art Guild of the Delta provided some controversy online as to why the city of Brentwood would allow art to be placed–one of the banners was allegedly stolen (see all banners here). On June 16 the Art Guild of the Delta issued the following statement:
Art Guild of the Delta is an east Contra Costa arts organization dedicated to encouraging and promoting creative expression. Part of our mission is to provide our communities with opportunities for thoughtful dialogue, creative growth, and deeper awareness through the arts.
Banner Up! is one of our most valued programs in its 8th year celebrating and supporting local artists and a local nonprofit organization each year. Through this initiative, we aim to uplift voices, foster collaboration, and enrich the cultural fabric of our region.
Art is an expressive form that initiates conversation and invites dialogue. It often acts as a lens through which we examine the social landscape of a particular time or community. Art may not always reflect the view of an individual, nor is it meant to offer comfort. It has the power to stir emotion, challenge perspectives, and inspire reflection.
To seek understanding of another’s viewpoint, especially one that differs from our own, is a meaningful step. The message conveyed through art may be difficult, even uncomfortable, but it exists to spark awareness, not to impose belief. It is an offering of thought from the artist to the world. And very often an invitation to engage in a discussion, even if we do not always agree. It is in the respectful exchange of ideas that we move closer to empathy, insight, and shared understanding.
The City of Brentwood has not commented on incident.
Here are a look at the notes from the LUD Meeting.
Full Funding:
- La Gran Fiesta ($10k): set for Sept. 6, celebrates Hispanic heritage month and is hosted by Brentwood Chamber of Commerce.
- Chinese Lunar New Year ($1,200): 1 celebration of Lunar New Year.
- Delta Quilters Guild ($4k): features over 125 handmade quilts and fiber arts. Event is Aug 9 and Aug 11, 2025.
- Dia de los Muertos ($18k): celebrate the Latinx culture & specifically the celebration of a beloved Mexican holiday,
- Oktoberfest ($44k): Hosted by the Brentwood Downtown Coalition, celebrates Oktoberfest
- Brentwood Business EXPO & Job Fair ($14k): brings together businesses and entrepreneurs to network. 5th Annual Expo is set for May 5, 2026.
Partial Funding
- Banner Up ($5k): This project turns Downtown Brentwood into a living gallery that tells a story of community, creativity, and growth. The public is invited to participate, at no cost, by painting one of forty banners that will be installed on utility poles in Downtown Brentwood throughout the summer
- Brentwood on Ice ($25k): downtown ice rink during Christmas holiday.
- Brentwood Turkey Trot ($10k): A 5k race on Thanksgiving Day at Streets of Brentwood
- Community Impact Through Inclusive Events ($4k) hosted by Chill Tea, seeks inclusive community building through a series of events such as car shows, pop up events, fundraisers and more.
- Exceptional Day ($2,500): A 1 day celebration at City Park for people to come together.
- Festival 4.0 ($8k): biennial play festival for actors and directors hosted by Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble.
- Novacon ($3k): on Aug 2 at City Park, will celebrate art of fandom, anime, cosplay and self-expression and pop culture fashion.
- Annual Father’s Day Tournament & Tournament ($6k): beginning in 2026, a fathers day tournament and festival. Utilizing basketball courts, grass fields and parking lot.
No Funding
- Bow Bow Fest: To train at least 60 people in Brentwood Community Kitchen, share the benefits of healthy fresh food and treats for dogs for their long and healthy life
- Brentwood Job Security: a job training program
- Dream Team After School: after school program
- Merchandise Tailored: promoting Brentwood through everything “local” with locally made merchandise and farm products.
Previous Stories:
- May 20, 2025 – Committee Makes Recommendation on Brentwood Economic Development Grant Program Awards
- June 20, 2024 – Brentwood on Ice Grant Funding Divides City Council
- June 1, 2023 – Brentwood Approves $177k in Economic Development Grants
