IRVINE

Recreational and educational nonprofit groups dedicated to helping the city’s youth will be anxiously watching the City Council in the coming weeks.

Three service organizations learned Wednesday that their financial fate hinges on the council’s decision to set aside $100,000 or $200,000 in Community Youth Program Grants for the upcoming fiscal year.

Since 1993, the city has annually awarded $100,000 to youth service groups. The council doubled the amount to $200,000 last year, prompting the Community Services Commission, which recommends funding allocations to the council, to ask for that same amount this year.

The commission debated the issue Wednesday and compiled recommendations for each funding option but urged the council to again spend $200,000.

Three of the nine groups seeking grant assistance won’t receive funding if the council opts for the lower amount, commissioners said.

The commission ensured that two of the organizations--the Central Orange Coast YMCA and the Irvine Public Schools Foundation--would be well-funded regardless of the final budget.

The council is expected to make a decision in late May or early June.