HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-13 Staff Report Specail Assistance Fund Award AHS Baseball TeamSpecial Assistance Program
April 7, 2025
Page 1
CONSENT ITEM
E-13
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER
FROM: TALEEN NAZARIAN, MANAGEMENT ANALYST
DATE: APRIL 7, 2025
SUBJECT: FINDING OF PUBLIC BENEFIT AND APPROVAL OF SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM APPLICATION AND FUND DISBURSEMENT ON BEHALF OF
THE AZUSA HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL PROGRAM
BACKGROUND:
The City’s Special Assistance Program was established to support local community-based
organizations, non-profits and campus-recognized clubs that serve a public benefit to the
community at-large. The Program has a complete set of guidelines and criteria for awarding
financial assistance to organizations in the form of small donations that encourage enrichment
programs and opportunities for Azusa residents.
The City receives funds for this program each year from the sale of ‘Safe and Sane Fireworks’, as
each participating community and non-profit organization engaged in fireworks booth sales
donates $500 as part of their vendor application. The proposed action will approve a Special
Assistance Program application for expenditures in the amount of $500 to the Azusa High School
Baseball Program to help offset the high costs of the program including uniforms, equipment,
safety gear, and other items needed to run this longstanding program.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council take the following actions:
1)Approve $500 of Special Assistance funds to the Azusa High School Baseball Program for
expenses related to program costs including new uniforms, equipment, safety gear, and
additional items; and
2)Make a finding that the community at large will receive a public benefit from the
expenditure of funds for the recommended items.
Not Passed
City Council
April 7, 2025
Special Assistance Program
April 7, 2025
Page 2
ANALYSIS:
Community groups and organizations often request funding assistance from the City for special
programs or services they provide to the community. The Special Assistance Program was
designed for community groups and organizations dedicated to providing educational enrichment
opportunities to Azusa youth to create skilled and capable individuals in a variety of disciplines,
and to financially assist community groups and organizations in developing programs diversifying
experiences for the community or seeking participation in educational programs. Eligible
community groups and organizations can apply for funding of up to $500. Through City Council’s
approval in Fall 2024, the Special Assistance Program was amended to increase contribution
amounts granted to community organizations from $200 to $500.
The City has received a $500 request from the Azusa High School Baseball Program to help cover
expenses related to the purchasing of new uniforms, equipment, safety gear, and additional items.
The program aims to foster life skills that extend beyond the field, helping players develop skills
in collaboration, communication, and conflict resolution. The program instills discipline to
develop long-term outcomes such as stronger interpersonal skills, leadership abilities, and an
improved work ethic, vital in both academic and professional settings. A key part of the Program
is the time and effort dedicated to practices and games, which is essential to player development
and justifies the use of program funds, particularly for purchasing equipment and safety gear to
protect the health and well-being of the athletes. Staff recommends approval of the application and
an expenditure in the amount of $500 in accordance with Special Assistance Program guidelines.
These actions approve the finding of public benefit and recommended expenditure of $500 to the
Azusa High School Baseball Program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
A trust account (50-08-000-141-2718) was established to administer donations that the City
receives from non-profit and community-based organizations engaged in annual sales of ‘safe and
sane fireworks’ sales. The donations received in this trust account are specifically reserved for
funding requests from the Special Assistance Program. The current available balance on the stated
account is $36,244.72 and, upon Council approval, Staff will appropriate $500.00 from this
account for the recommended action.
Prepared by: Reviewed by:
Taleen Nazarian Nico De Anda-Scaia
Management Analyst Deputy City Manager
Reviewed and Approved:
Sergio Gonzalez
City Manager
Attachments:
1) Application from Azusa High School Baseball Program
Special Assistance Program Application
The Special Assistance Program supports community-based organizations, non-profit
organizations, and campus recognized clubs and organizations by offering financial
assistance in order to provide enrichment opportunities to Azusa youth.
For more information or questions about the Special Assistance Program, please
contact Taleen Nazarian, Management Analyst in the City Manager’s Office, by calling
626-812-5239 or by emailing neighborhoodservices@azusaca.gov.
General Information
Introduction
The Azusa City Council is committed to fostering education in the community by increasing opportunities for
community based organizations and groups to further develop community programs for educational purposes. In
addition, the program seeks to enrich community groups and organizations by providing funding assistance to support
their participation in educational programs. The Special Assistance Program addresses the need to encourage
enrichment opportunities among Azusa youth to create well rounded individuals.
Mission
The mission of the Special Assistance Program is to support community based organization non-profits and campus
recognized clubs and organizations by providing financial assistance.
Vision
The vision of the Special Assistance Program is to provide enrichment opportunities to Azusa youth via participation
in extracurricular programs in pursuit of becoming skilled and capable in a variety of disciplines.
Purpose
The Special Assistance Program has been developed to assist community based organizations and groups in the
following:
Assist by providing funding assistance in developing a program that will diversify experiences for the community;
Assist by providing funding assistance to support participation in educational programs such as extracurricular
activities, sporting competitions, arts and cultural activities.
The Special Assistance Program is aimed at providing grant funding of up to $500. Applicants are required to
demonstrate why they need the requested amount. Applicants must clearly identify and define the long term outcome
advantage of the activities being funded and how the activities further enrich education and or learning. Special
Assistance grants are offered throughout the year. However, applicants are restricted to one application per fiscal year
per organization.
Qualifications
To be eligible to receive a Special Assistance grant the applicant must identify with ONE of the following groups:
Campus Recognized Club and/or Organization
Club or organization must be affiliated with an educational institution in the Azusa Unified School District.
Community Based Organization
A Community based organization non-profit proposing a program or services aimed at youth development,
educational enrichment, arts and cultural activities, or the participation in a program for educational and/or
community benefit purposes. Funds will not be disbursed to individuals. The organization must be organized under
the Model Non-Profit Corporation Act and designated as an exempted organization as defined by Internal Revenue
Code Section 501(c).
Requirements
If applicant organization is awarded funds to develop a program diversifying experiences for the community, the
organization must provide evidence of how the funds were utilized to facilitate the developing of such program; OR
If applicant’s organization is awarded funds to participate in an educational program, the organization must be able
to provide sufficient details to the City about the program to ensure funds are disbursed directly to the sponsoring
organization.
The City of Azusa WILL NOT consider applications for grant funding from any of the following:
A private individual for his/her own use;
A private for-profit entity or organization;
A political, politically affiliated or political action organization;
Private/Parochial Schools; or
Organizations conducting programs that discriminate against individuals or groups based on race, color, national
origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age martial status, sexual orientation, gender expression, disability or political
affiliation.
Disbursement of Funds
The City will disburse funds directly to the affiliated organization. Checks will not be made to individuals.
How much can I apply for?
The Special Assistance Program provides small grants of up to $500 per organization. Submitting an application does
not guarantee that funding will be allocated and applications may not be funded in full. Applicants are restricted to
one application per fiscal year per organization.
What will not be funded?
It is the City’s policy not to fund requests from applicants for services that are normally supported by general tax
dollars, represent a duplication of services which the City already provides funding or where the request comes from
an applicant requesting funds for a service in another community, which is a type of service Azusa already funds for
itself. Specifically, the following requests will not be funded:
Requests for "start-up" costs, administrative costs, overhead costs, fund-raising costs, or other costs related to
operating the initial service program for which the group was organized;
Retrospective applications - if an event, service, activity or program takes place before the application is submitted
it will not be considered for funding;
Requests for core staffing costs or utilities ;
Requests for monetary donations or grants programs;
Programs for the sole purpose of advocating a religious faith or belief;
Celebrations for individuals; or
Requests from organizations to assist with a specific program or event which has received funding through another
City of Azusa grant program in that fiscal year.
How are applications evaluated for funding?
In evaluating whether to award grant funding, the City Council may consider a combination of factors including, but
not limited to:
1. The organization’s ability to identify and define the long term outcome advantage of the activities being funded;
2. How the organization’s participation in activities further stimulate scholarship;
3. Whether the applicant’s program directly benefits the community;
4. The organization's record of performance in providing similar services in the past;
5. Whether residents of Azusa are directly involved in the group/organization as members of the Board of Directors,
program administrators or participants;
6. Sustainability of the organization; and
7. Demonstrated need for the assistance being requested.
How to Apply
Requests for Special Assistance grant funding are accepted throughout the year. Organizations applying for Special
Assistance grant funding must complete a digital or paper application. The application may be downloaded from the
City’s website at www.azusaca.gov/scholarships. If you prefer to submit your grant application through mail or hand
delivery, rather than digitally, please make it out to:
City of Azusa
City Manager’s Office
Attn: Special Assistance Program
213 E. Foothill Blvd
PO Box 1395
Azusa, California 91702
GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM CONDITIONS:
a. The City reserves the right to withdraw or cancel the Special Assistance Program at any time without prior notice.
b.The City reserves the right to seek clarification of information submitted in response to the Special Assistance
Program.
c. The City reserves the right to modify the Special Assistance Program as it deems necessary.
d. Any material misrepresentations made by the applicant(s) will void the application and eliminate the applicant from
further consideration.
e. The City reserves the right to take all reasonable and appropriate steps to recover diverted funds.
*
Please check this box to confirm that you have read and fully understood the Special Assistance Program
Description, Guidelines, and Application Requirements.
Application
Today's Date *
The applicant organization is requesting fund to:*
Please identify the program:*
Legal Name of Applicant Organization *
Contact Name *
Title/Position *
Mailing Address *
Email *
Phone Number *
Number of Paid Staff *
Number of Volunteers *
Year Organization Founded *
Date of incorporation:
3/24/2025
Develop a program that will diversify experiences for the community
Participate in an educational program such as extracurricular activities, sporting competitions, arts and cultural
Azusa High School Baseball
Applicant Organization Information
Azusa High School Baseball
Albert Sanchez
Head Coach
City
Azusa
State / Province / Region
CA
Postal / Zip Code
91702
Country
USA
Street Address
240 N. Cerritos
Address Line 2
AzusaHSBaseball@gmail.com
6265451242
5
2
2024
1. If your organization is incorporated in California as a non-profit
organization, please fill out the following:
6/21/2001
Federal Identification Number
State Identification Number
Name of Non-Profit Organization:
Federal Identification Number
State Identification Number
Contact Name
Title/Position
Mailing Address
Email
Phone Number
Check only if the above statement applies:
956006672
2348465
2. If you are planning to partner with a non-profit organization, please
provide the following information:
City State / Province / Region
Postal / Zip Code Country
Street Address
Address Line 2
3. Please check here if you are neither a non-profit organization nor planning
to partner with a non-profit organization:
I am neither a non-profit organization nor planning to partner with a non-profit organization
Disclosure
Has the organization or any members of the Board of Directors of the organization been involved with any
personal business transactions valued over $500 including any business transactions, negotiations, investments
or interests in real property with a Azusa City Councilmember during the past twelve (12) months *
If yes, describe briefly:
If your organization received City of Azusa funding in the previous year, please explain and show how Azusa
residents benefited.
Provide an answer below:
If your organization is selected to receive a Special Assistance Grant, please be aware that the City of Azusa may
request photos, videos, or other content for promotional or record-keeping purposes.*
Disclosure of Business Transactions
Yes No
Past Program Benefit
Check this box if this is your first time applying for Special Assistance funding.
Consent for Media Use
Please check this box to confirm your understanding.
Questionnaire
1. Describe the program the applicant organization is planning on either developing or participating and identify the
following:
· Objectives and goals
·Participants
· Intended audience that will benefit from the program
· Number of volunteers
Provide an answer below:*
2. Why do you need the requested amount of funding?
Provide an answer below:*
3. Identify and define the long term outcome advantage of the activities being funded. How will the program benefit
participants and or the community?
Provide an answer below:*
4. How will the program enrich education and/or learning?
Provide an answer below:*
*
PREPARED BY:
Program Description
The Azusa High School Baseball Program is a storied program based on the great pedigree of talented
academic athletes that represent the Azusa Unified School District.
This grant will help defray the high costs associated with managing our premiere program and allow us to
compete at the highest level possible. In essence, this opportunity will facilitate a baseball program that will allow
for new uniforms, equipment, safety gear, and miscellaneous items required to run this esteemed program.
Participating in baseball fosters a unique combination of physical, mental, and social development that can have
lasting benefits. On the field, players develop discipline, teamwork, and resilience as they navigate the
challenges of competition and practice. These skills translate into long-term outcomes such as stronger
interpersonal skills, enhanced leadership abilities, and an improved work ethic—qualities that are highly valuable
in both personal and professional contexts. The physical fitness gained through regular training also promotes
long-term health and wellness. Beyond the game, baseball often instills a sense of camaraderie and community,
creating lifelong friendships and connections. These experiences collectively prepare participants to excel in
various aspects of life, whether in careers, relationships, or personal growth.
Baseball can enrich education and learning by fostering essential life skills that extend beyond the classroom.
Through teamwork, players learn collaboration, communication, and conflict resolution—abilities that are vital in
both academic and professional settings. The strategic aspects of baseball, such as analyzing plays and making
split-second decisions, enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Discipline, time management, and
perseverance gained from practice schedules and competitive challenges prepare students for academic rigor
and responsibilities. Moreover, baseball can inspire engagement with subjects like mathematics (statistics,
probabilities), physics (motion, force), and even history (the cultural evolution of the sport). Ultimately, the
lessons learned on the field translate into personal growth and academic success, creating well-rounded
individuals.
Acknowledgments
We hereby certify the information contained in this application is true to the best of our knowledge and belief.
Name *
Title *
Date *
Signature *
PRESIDENT OR AUTHORIZED OFFICER:
Name *
Title *
Date *
Signature *
Albert Sanchez
Head Coach
3/24/2025
Albert Sanchez
Head Coach
3/24/2025