Fiscal Note
The Community Development Division’s 2014 Adopted Operating Budget includes funding of $120,000 for Consulting Services. This Resolution approves the selection of a consultant that will provide the Funding Process Study services described herein, and with whom the City will contract for the $120,000.
No additional funds are being sought by this Resolution, and there is no impact on the City levy.
Title
SUBSTITUTE Authorizing [a vendor to be identified by April 14, 2014] Forward Community Investments to undertake an evaluation of the Community Development Division’s funding allocation processes, formulate recommendations for their improvement, and help the Division plan for and implement appropriate changes.
Body
Background
The City of Madison’s Community Development Division allocates more than $8.5 million anually through purchase of service contracts in order to address City goals and support efforts designed to strengthen neighborhoods, address issues related to poverty and racial and social inequities, and improve the quality of life for city residents.
In November 2013, largely in response to concerns that had arisen around the effectiveness of the Division’s allocation processes, Joiner Sandbrook, LLC produced a report for the City titled “Strategic Improvement of Madison’s Social Sector: How Funding in Madison Supports Innovation in the Social Sector.” The report, based largely on interviews with local non-profit organization leaders and public and private funders, raised issues concerning the importance of offering organizational support to non-profits, the value of establishing program goals and measuring program impacts; and the potential benefits of fostering innovation in the social sector. The report recommended further research and review of the City’s funding processes.
The Mayor and Common Council responded by directing a more thorough analysis of the CDD’s funding processes. They appropriated $120,000 in the Division’s 20...
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