by Greg Lincoln
Ayaprun Elitnaurvik students perform at the 2023 Cama-i Festival. photo by Kelly Lincoln
Six local organizations in Bethel are the recipient of the latest round of community action grants from the City of Bethel. The beneficiaries are: the SouthWest Alaska Arts Group who sponsors the Cama-i Festival, the Bethel Youth Facility, Bethel Regional High School for a wrestling mat replacement, the Kuskokwim Consortium Library, and the Bethel Winter House.
The grantees requests are:
SouthWest Alaska Arts Group: $7,883 for 2025 Cama’i Dance Festival Support
Bethel Youth Facility: $3,000 for a Volleyball Stand and Net
Bethel Regional High School: $11,500 for a Wrestling Mat Replacement
Kuskokwim Consortium Library: $4,500 for Art at the Library Programs
Bethel Winter House: $5,000 for a Jesuit Volunteer Engagement Specialist
The total funds amount to $31,883.
The City of Bethel has established a Community Action Grant (CAG) Program to allow community organizations and individuals to request financial support from the City for civic programs or events that contribute to the health, welfare and overall lives of the residents of Bethel, especially its most vulnerable populations.
Funding comes from 20% of the alcohol tax collected by the City.
“The Council has committed to budget an amount equal to 20% of the revenue generated from the alcohol tax to health, public safety, and social services that offset the effects of alcohol in the community,” says the CAG overview.
The purpose of the grant program is to advance and enhance the community’s opportunities, sustainability, and wellbeing, says the City. The City encourages projects and programs with components that foster community wellness, directly impact the community’s vulnerable populations and/or provide civic engagement of Bethel residents and project beneficiaries.
The amounts contributed shall be accounted for in the Community Action Grant Fund, a special revenue fund. Annual distributions to grantees from the Community Action Grant Fund cannot exceed the available resources of the Fund or other limits established by City Council.
The CAG Committee, comprised of a volunteer group of citizens, meets quarterly to review CAG applications, score them, and provide funding recommendations to City Council. City Council approves the recommendations before the funding is issued.
Recipients are required to sign a grant agreement with the City and are responsible for spending the funds appropriately and providing an exit report at the end of the grant period.
For Year 7, Quarter 4 there were six applications. Two additional applications were received but were determined to not qualify for the CAG. Five of the applicants received funding.
Action Memorandum was passed by the City Council to approve the CAG awards during their December 19th, 2024 regular meeting.
The next grant opportunity will be during the third quarter of FY 2025, on July 1st.
