Some solid points made in this piece. I was pleased when the City opened up the $50K grant dollars, encouraging those outside of City Staff and Parks & Rec department to put events together but can see that the lack of call for details is indeed a bit light. Having so little information about the projected event is just asking the sub-committee to dig deeper, or worse, skim past without giving each request the attention deserved.
It's a win for grant money and acknowledgement of more neighborhood activities using local organizers. The next step would benefit a second, more thorough round of the application procedure.
Yes, agreed. I exchanged several emails with Scott and Frank, some prior to the grant press release (the first version of the announcement didn't include a website or any link to an application). I suggested that they were in essence doing a two round process without announcing it....and that another way to approach it is to ask for a minimum amount of information in the first round (ie amount of budget, amount of ask, event description, organizer experience), then make a cut and do a second round asking for more information (project budget, marketing plans, personnel, confirmation of venue etc). And thanks, not sure what happened on that link but will fix it.
Makes sense to me. I recall the pushback about a committee or having the PACC involved, but at a minimum at least set the sub-committee up with the information and tools to review the applications. I imagine it is difficult to convey a mission of an idea or event in a few simple lines, especially if you are inexperienced in doing so.
Not every event needs to be five figure and hope this process does not discourage applicants and/or have some simple ones passed by.
I hope they heed some of your suggestions Cindy. Or sadly, just more unintended work for the sub-committee.
These things always need refinement, but at least it’s a start, so good for them.
My biggest concern, unless this grant opportunity has already been open for awhile, is that 2 or 3, or even 6 weeks until deadline is not long enough to organize and plan an event worthy of receiving a grant. Hopefully there will be several months lead time next time, or a promise from the city that this will be available next year, so people and can plan and organize.
Some solid points made in this piece. I was pleased when the City opened up the $50K grant dollars, encouraging those outside of City Staff and Parks & Rec department to put events together but can see that the lack of call for details is indeed a bit light. Having so little information about the projected event is just asking the sub-committee to dig deeper, or worse, skim past without giving each request the attention deserved.
It's a win for grant money and acknowledgement of more neighborhood activities using local organizers. The next step would benefit a second, more thorough round of the application procedure.
edit: the Indio app link is broken but found https://cityofindio.seamlessdocs.com/f/mkzqqosugw1s
Yes, agreed. I exchanged several emails with Scott and Frank, some prior to the grant press release (the first version of the announcement didn't include a website or any link to an application). I suggested that they were in essence doing a two round process without announcing it....and that another way to approach it is to ask for a minimum amount of information in the first round (ie amount of budget, amount of ask, event description, organizer experience), then make a cut and do a second round asking for more information (project budget, marketing plans, personnel, confirmation of venue etc). And thanks, not sure what happened on that link but will fix it.
Makes sense to me. I recall the pushback about a committee or having the PACC involved, but at a minimum at least set the sub-committee up with the information and tools to review the applications. I imagine it is difficult to convey a mission of an idea or event in a few simple lines, especially if you are inexperienced in doing so.
Not every event needs to be five figure and hope this process does not discourage applicants and/or have some simple ones passed by.
I hope they heed some of your suggestions Cindy. Or sadly, just more unintended work for the sub-committee.
Download link is fixed now!
These things always need refinement, but at least it’s a start, so good for them.
My biggest concern, unless this grant opportunity has already been open for awhile, is that 2 or 3, or even 6 weeks until deadline is not long enough to organize and plan an event worthy of receiving a grant. Hopefully there will be several months lead time next time, or a promise from the city that this will be available next year, so people and can plan and organize.
Agreed, the time frame is very short, I think they were announced June 3-ish.