COSTA MESA : City to Seek Better Grant Distribution

The City Council voted unanimously this week to try to improve the way it distributes federal money to community service groups. The council gave more than $160,000 in community development grants to 33 nonprofit organizations in fiscal year 1993-94.

The council agreed Monday to try to reduce the total number of grants because the city uses an average of $388 of the federal money for administration of each grant, according to Muriel Berman, redevelopment and housing manager.

Berman suggested that nonprofit groups working to help the same kinds of people join together to apply for one large grant.

Council member Mary Hornbuckle said the city would rather send money to the nonprofit groups than use it on administrative costs. “I’m just concerned that we get all the money downstream,” she said.

Costa Mesa’s average grant last year was less than $5,000, while other cities granted an average of $10,000 to $30,000 per applicant, according to Berman. Share Our Selves of Costa Mesa received the most last year--$15,000 for its emergency services and $9,000 for its medical clinic.

The Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter received $8,000 last year, according to city housing and community development worker Paula Schaefer. FISH-Harbor Area Inc., which provides hotel vouchers, food, clothing and other emergency help, received $15,000, she said. And the Feedback Foundation, which provides in-home meals for seniors and people who can’t leave their homes, got $12,000.

Debby O’Connor, director of FISH, said she plans a joint grant application this year with other groups that help the homeless, but said there will not be a lead agency. “No one has the funds to take on that one lead role,” she said.

The money is distributed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and is to be used to help poor people and improve social services.

Groups can apply for the 1994-95 fiscal year through mid-March. Extra points will be awarded in the review process for applications from nonprofit groups who propose to work together.