Chelan council revisits Community Benefit Grant Program policy

CHELAN – A discussion that the city council began at its September 10 meeting to create a more structured Community Benefit Grant Program led to final approval of the application policy at the Oct. 8 meeting. The motion also set the maximum funding amount for 2025 grant awards at $111,250. 

Human Resources Communications Director Chad Coltman reported to the council that the HR staff recommended benchmarking the awards maximum based on revenue projections from the city’s Short-Term Rental (STR) renewals and new licenses issued this year. An estimated 375 renewals at $250 each and 35 new licenses at $500 are anticipated during the November-December renewal period.

“This creates a bit of restraint in the program… that forces us to pick and choose the organizations that we want to support and the amount we want to fund to them,” said Coltman. “To help in that, we have created a scoring and evaluation criteria…so we can take an objective approach to ranking and rating applicants based on the application, presentation, alignment to the city’s goals, and the potential impact of the gift the organization would receive.”

An agenda overview statement said that by using STR funds to support non-profits in our community, the city can leverage an aspect of tourism to directly benefit some of the most in need in our community and allow STR property owners the opportunity to partner with the city in supporting vital services through our non-profit agencies.

In past years, agencies such as Chelan Valley Hope, Thrive Chelan Valley, Chelan Valley Food Bank, and Meals on Wheels have been among the non-profit beneficiaries of the Community Benefit Grand Program.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media