The money includes assistance for food, clothing, rent relief and mental health services. Applications to receive up to $50,000 are currently open and will close May 15.

A new requirement of the Community Service Financial Assistance Grant program is that recipients meet once or twice a year. These “cohorts” aim to strengthen collaboration, share best practices and increase efficiency among safety net providers. This aligns with the Coastside Recovery Initiative, which was established in 2021 and recommended funding local nonprofits providing essential safety net services to some of the region’s most vulnerable communities.

At last week’s city council meeting, Mayor Debbie Ruddock stressed the importance of these meetings to collaborate and learn how to provide services outside of their expertise.

“Our stability and livability as a community depends on strong social capital and social equity,” Ruddock said. “Government can’t do everything, and we can’t do everything as individuals. We need our not-for-profit sector.

This next round of grants is the fifth iteration of the annual program created to support nonprofit organizations in Half Moon Bay. For the current 2021-22 fiscal cycle, the city has budgeted $200,000 to be split among seven nonprofit organizations for COVID-19 relief services. An additional $50,000 was donated to 10 other organizations.

“If you follow the evolution of the CSFA, we have given more money every year to more deserving organizations,” said board member Harvey Rarback. “I think this focus on safety nets and bigger and fewer subsidies makes sense to me.”

Each request will be reviewed by City staff to ensure eligibility criteria. The City Council’s CSFA Sub-Committee will then review all applications and make a recommendation to City Council, who will have the final say on all grants. Once all recipients have been selected, funding is expected to be awarded between July and August.

Currently, most of the 17 nonprofits reported being on track to meet their goals by the end of the fiscal year. All grantees will be required to submit a year-end financial statement, but only nonprofits that have not previously received CSFA funding will be required to submit tax forms and a year-end report summarizing goals and highlights of their efforts.

Not all funding is distributed equitably. Larger programs from Coastside Hope, Ayudando Latinos a Soñar and Abundant Grace received $30,000 this fiscal year. Coastside CERT and Purple Heart Anglers received $2,500 and $1,000 respectively.

Deputy City Manager Matthew Chidester said the city has already donated part of its affordable housing fund to a few nonprofits that provide housing assistance. Although not officially part of the CSFA, city staff plan to recommend more funding for these nonprofits in the upcoming city budget for fiscal year 2022-23.

Board member Robert Brownstone cited the ALAS food pantry as an excellent example of promoting health equity and encouraging volunteer efforts.

“I think we have too many people in our community who have to make the choice between food and rent,” he said. “It’s hard to have a healthy environment for families and children without a roof over their heads and food. ”