Council Establishes Nonprofit Contracts to Curb Mismanagement of Funds

The Sedona City Council greenlit $350,000 in funding for local nonprofits through the Small Grants Program for the fiscal year 2024-25 on August 13. This funding will benefit 30 organizations, which had collectively requested $541,682.

Mayor Scott Jablow and Small Grants Committee Chairwoman Stephanie Giesbrecht highlighted a new policy requiring contractual agreements between the city and grant recipients. This move aims to create clear expectations regarding the use of funds. “This year, in particular, I’m very pleased that you’ve thought to create a contract,” Giesbrecht noted, emphasizing the importance of stipulating conditions for continued funding.

City Attorney Kurt Christianson affirmed that while the grant process remains largely unchanged, the addition of contracts ensures public funds are utilized correctly. Sedona Communications Director Lauren Browne elaborated on this requirement, stating that all grant recipients are held accountable to the terms specified in their applications.

New contractual provisions mandate that organizations follow a set schedule for program completion, conduct financial audits, report annually to the city, and return unspent funds by April 30. Some organizations will also need to provide specific data, including:

• 1501 Foundation: Report on yoga and mindfulness benefits for first responders.
• The Carpetbag Brigade: Collect demographic data from event participants.
• The Sedona Bridge Club: Engage more youth players in outreach efforts.
• Steps to Recovery Homes: Provide case studies on client outcomes.
• Verde Valley School: Track participation of Sedona residents in its programs.

In a previous council meeting, Councilwoman Melissa Dunn suggested linking grant funding to the organizations’ policies and activities, which now appears to be part of the city’s overarching strategy.

During discussions, council members decided that at least 40% of grant funding should go to arts initiatives, while an equal portion would support social services. This allocation directed a total of $192,500 in grant funding to arts organizations this year, an increase from $99,000 the previous cycle.

The following arts organizations received grants:

• Arts Academy of Sedona: $12,000 awarded from a $15,000 request.
• The Carpetbag Brigade: $10,000 from $11,435.
• Chamber Music Sedona: $18,000 from $20,000.
• Emerson Theater Collaborative: $12,000 from $15,000.
• Parangello Players: $12,000 from $15,000.
• Piano on the Rocks: $11,000 from $13,500.
• Red Rocks Music Festival: $7,000 from $8,500.
• Sedona Arts Center: $40,000 from $75,000.
• Sedona Arts Festival: $12,500 from $15,000.
• Sedona International Film Festival: $40,000 from $55,000.
• Sedona Symphony: $18,000 from $20,000.

In the social services category, organizations received a total of $157,500 compared to last year’s $101,000. Notable funding recipients included:

• 1501 Foundation: $15,000 awarded from $19,324 requested.
• Cancer Support Community of Arizona: $5,000 from $10,000.
• Keep Sedona Beautiful: $1,000 from $3,400.
• Steps to Recovery Homes: $6,800 from $20,000.

Meanwhile, the grants committee recommended the denial of funding for two organizations. The Wisdom Age Metaverse, which sought $35,000 for a dataset on addiction experiences, and Sailfish Sport Project, which asked for $25,000 for youth swimming programs, were both declined due to insufficient justifications for funding.

The council approved the funding unanimously after a brief discussion lasting 12 minutes. Outgoing Councilwoman Jessica Williamson expressed her trust in the committee’s recommendations, emphasizing her confidence in their judgment.