Ann Land Bertha Henschel Funds Commission Approves 2026 Funding Allocations on Nov 5, 2025
Ann Land Bertha Henschel Memorial Funds Commission Meeting – November 5, 2025
The Ann Land Bertha Henschel Memorial Funds Commission met on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, starting at 10:00 AM, to approve the consent calendar and allocate $190,000 in grant funding for 2026. The meeting included presentations from applicant organizations, scoring adjustments, and a final vote on funding allocations. Eight commissioners were present; three were absent.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1 – Approval of August 27, 2025 Meeting Minutes: Passed unanimously (8-0). Motion by Commissioner Coletto, second by Commissioner Ruhl.
Discussion Items
- Item 2 – 2026 Funding Allocations: The commission reviewed 29 grant applications totaling over $400,000 in requests against $190,000 available. Staff reported that one commissioner’s scores were not counted due to a conflict of interest, another had technical issues, and new Commissioner Malik (recently appointed) did not score. The commission set a scoring threshold, discussed percentage reductions for lower-scoring applicants, and ultimately adopted a funding plan totaling $189,830. The motion was moved by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Coletto, and passed 8-0.
- Key positions expressed during the discussion:
- Vice President Smith emphasized funding organizations that best align with the commission’s priorities (food, shelter, transportation) and opposed “participation awards.”
- Several commissioners questioned applicants about budget breakdowns, alignment with priorities, and website credibility, encouraging future applicants to focus requests on food, shelter, and direct services rather than administrative costs, supplies, or volunteer reimbursements.
- Applicants such as Classy Inc., Call for Hood, Court Appointed Special Advocates, EGE Foundation, Love is the Answer Ministries, St. John’s Program for Real Change, and Women of Color on the Move provided clarifications about their services and budgets.
- Key positions expressed during the discussion:
Key Outcomes
- Approval of 2026 Funding Allocations: The commission allocated $189,830 to 17 organizations (out of 29 applicants) based on scoring and funding priorities. The final allocation was: 100% funding for the top four applicants (scores above 550 points), 90% for the next group (scores 500–549), 78% for scores 450–499, and 45% for the lowest group (scores 430–449). Organizations below 430 points were not funded.
- Directives and Next Steps: The final funding list will be published online as a supplemental document. The commission plans to discuss process improvements (e.g., application training, website references) at the January 2026 meeting.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 12:09 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning and welcome to the Ann Land Bertha Hinchel Memorial Fund Commission meeting. The meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call the role to order to establish a quorum? Thank you, President Ellis. Member Contreras is absent. Member Malik? Present. Member Brown? Member Stevens? Member Ubag? Member Seymour? Is absent. Member Beckman is absence. Member Rule. Vice President Smith. And President Ellis. Present. Thank you. We have quorum. I would like to remind members of the public and in the chambers that if you would like to speak on an agenda item, please turn in a speaker slip when the item begins. You will have two minutes to speak once you are called on. After the first speaker, we will no longer accept speaker slips. We will now proceed with today's agenda. My apologies, uh city clerk's office. Um we also have ex officio member um uh Peter Coletto here as well. My apologies. No problem. I'm here. Okay. If um if you can stand for the land acknowledgement and the pledge of allegiance. To the original people of this land, the Nissan people, the Southern Madhu Valley and Plains Miwok, Pat Wintoon peoples, and to the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federal recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor the native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's Indigenous People's History, contributions, and lives. Thank you. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Are there any members of the public who wish to speak on the consent calendar? Thank you, President Ellis. I have no speaker slips. Thank you. Are there any commissioners who would like to speak on this item? I'll move consent. Is there a motion in a second for the consent calendar to approve the Ann Land Berth and Hinchel Memorial Funds Commission meeting minutes? I'll move consent. And a second by Commissioner Rule. The roll for the vote. Thank you, Chair. Member Coletto? Aye. Member Contreras is absent.
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