Summary Sheet- RFCA SUMMARY

CITY OF TEMPE
Meeting Date: 3/5/2026  
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Agenda Item: 7C3
ACTION:  Adopt a resolution to accept and disburse grant funds in the amount of $7,500 from State 
Farm for the City of Tempe Community Services Department’s 2026 Geeks Night Out event. (Resolution 
No. R2026.19)
FISCAL IMPACT:  The total amount of the grant award for Community Services is $7,500. Sufficient 
budget appropriation for expenditure of this grant was authorized in the Governmental Grants Fund 
(Fund 46) as part of the fiscal year 2025-26 adopted budget. Once approved and the award is received, 
the funding will be deposited into Cost Center 46464 (State Farm Grant - GNO (O)).
RECOMMENDATION:  Adopt Resolution No. R2026.19.
 
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:  The City of Tempe submitted a grant application to State Farm in 
the fall of 2025 requesting funding for the Community Services Department’s event - Geeks Night Out. 
Tempe’s annual STEAM Festival is an education continuum event. Schools, colleges, universities, 
businesses, organizations, and City departments demonstrate STEAM experiments and projects that 
engage youth in hands-on activities and conversation. Students learn about jobs in innovative fields, as 
well as the educational paths required to acquire the skills necessary for a STEAM career. 
The free, family-friendly event allows all to participate despite their ability to pay. It introduces people to 
technologies they may not otherwise be exposed to. Additionally, this type of event creates a sense of 
community where residents can learn about and enjoy their city, while getting to know their neighbors.
This one-of-a-kind Tempe event is a collaborative effort where Tempe Elementary, Kyrene and Tempe 
Union High School Districts, EVIT, Rio Salado College, University of Advancing Technology, ASU, local 
businesses, City staff and community partners come together to experiment, engage, and learn about 
the impact and role STEAM plays in our everyday lives. Geeks Night Out ensures students the 
opportunity to experience the world of STEAM outside of their classrooms and provides learning 
institutions a new way of engaging with youth at this impressionable stage of their scholastic 
development.  
Grant funds will help offset some of the cost of the event. ($7,500)
ATTACHMENTS:    
1. R2026.XX_STATE FARM GRANT TO COMM. SVCS. FOR 2026 GEEKS NIGHT OUT.DOCX
STAFF CONTACT(S):  Denise Rentschler, Recreation Coordinator, (480) 350-5209
Department Director:  Craig Hayton, Community Services Director  
Legal review by:  Clarence Matherson, Jr., Deputy City Attorney
Prepared by:  Erin Fillmore, Senior Management Assistant