Fitchburg Healthy Neighborhoods Grant Committee Meeting

The committee met on April 8, 2026, to decide the allocation of 2026 grant funding for healthy neighborhood organizations. After extensive discussion of staff recommendations, scoring, and motions to redirect funds, the committee voted to approve staff's proposed award list. Members also received departmental updates and made announcements about upcoming community events.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from March 11, 2026, were moved and seconded (Motion by Alder Danzer, second by Ari Lowe) and approved unanimously by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public appearances were made, either in person or online.

Discussion Items

• Grant Funding Allocation Decision:
  • Jessica Wolf presented staff recommendations based on total average scores and number of recommending members out of six scorers. The top eight organizations (in order of score) were: River Food Pantry (full funding), Rooted ($20,000), Active Youth ($20,000), Badger Prairie Needs Network ($15,000), Allied Food Pantry ($15,000), Boys & Girls Club ($10,000), Bikes for Kids ($10,000), and Reach Dane ($4,000).
  • Ari Lowe expressed concern that the majority of funding was going to food-related programs, risking neglect of other healthy neighborhood dimensions like youth development, community leadership, and social connections. She recommended moving $15,000 from Badger Prairie Needs Network to Meadow Wood Health Partnership because of their innovative resource navigator approach and long-term impact.
    • A motion to move $15,000 from Badger Prairie to Meadow Wood was made by Ari and seconded by Alder Danzer. After discussion, a roll call vote resulted in: Ari (yes), Mark Hamilton (no), Shabozer† (no), Caitlin (no), Alder Danzer (no) – motion defeated (1-4).
  • Ari then made a second motion to move the $15,000 from Badger Prairie to Unidos, citing Unidos' unique domestic violence prevention work within the Latino community, trauma-informed support groups, and community events using Hostahochi. Motion seconded by Alder Danzer. Discussion raised that only 2 of 6 scorers had recommended Unidos. Roll call vote: Caitlin (yes), Ari (yes), Shabozer (no), Mark Hamilton (no), Alder Danzer (no) – motion defeated (2-3).
  • Several members (Jill, Donald, Shabozer) argued that changing allocations after scoring would undermine the process and the time invested by scorers, and that moving forward, criteria should be refined to include service diversity, neighborhood coverage, and years of prior funding.
  • A motion to approve staff recommendations as presented was moved by Shabozer, seconded by Caitlin. Roll call: Alder Danzer (aye), Caitlin (aye), Ari (nay), Mark Hamilton (aye), Shabozer (aye) – motion carried (4-1).

Report from Department

• Jessica Wolf reported:
  • Regular attendance at housing clinic at Allied Food Pantry.
  • Free community meal at Badger Rock (Rooted) on Friday.
  • Allied Neighborhood Association Easter egg hunt with Fire and Police participation.
  • A neighborhood navigator has been hired and will start in summer.

Announcements

• Ari Lowe announced:
  • MMSD attendance area map feedback session in Fitchburg at Boys & Girls Club in Allied, May 12, 2026, 5:30-7:30 PM.
  • Fitchburg Efficiency Navigator Program applications for landlords/residents accepted through May 1st.
• Shabozer announced:
  • A community resource fair for Verona Road West neighborhood is planned for June 11, 2026, at James Park (evening). Details to come.
• Mark Hamilton added:
  • Wisconsin Bike Fed and Bike Fitchburg are planning bike to work week events at Leopold in mid-May, including a bike repair station or bike-to-school event.

Key Outcomes

• Grant Awards Approved: The committee voted 4-1 to adopt staff recommendations, funding eight organizations for 2026: River Food Pantry, Rooted ($20,000), Active Youth ($20,000), Badger Prairie Needs Network ($15,000), Allied Food Pantry ($15,000), Boys & Girls Club ($10,000), Bikes for Kids ($10,000), and Reach Dane ($4,000).
• Process Improvements: Multiple members (Caitlin, Ari, Jill, Donald) called for revising grant criteria for future cycles to include categories (e.g., food, youth, social services), neighborhood targeting, and consideration of years of prior funding. Staff will compile notes for discussion at a future meeting.
• Meeting Adjourned: The meeting was adjourned by motion and second.