Summary Sheet- RFCA SUMMARY

CITY OF TEMPE
Meeting Date: 3/5/2026  
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Agenda Item: 7C8
ACTION:  Adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of the City of Tempe's applications for gaming 
grant funds from the Gila River Indian Community. (Resolution No. R2026.24)
FISCAL IMPACT:  If granted by the Gila River Indian Community, the City of Tempe will receive 
$273,021 to fund programs. Sufficient budget appropriation for expenditure of this grant will be 
requested to be included in the Governmental Grants Fund (Fund 46) budget as part of the upcoming 
Fiscal Year 2026-27 adopted budget.
RECOMMENDATION:  Adopt Resolution No. R2026.24.
 
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:  Arizona law requires participating tribal communities to contribute 
12% of their annual gaming proceeds to local governments for government services that benefit the 
general public, including public safety, mitigation of gaming impacts, and the promotion of commerce 
and economic development. The City of Tempe annually applies for gaming grants to fund City programs 
and services. Approval of the accompanying resolution would allow the City of Tempe to submit 
applications to the Gila River Indian Community for the following programs and events:
1.
Cahill Senior Center - Enrichment Program. Funding for this program will enhance the quality 
of life of the senior citizens utilizing the Dennis J. Cahill Senior Center through enrichment 
programs. The main goal of these programs is emotional, social, and physical wellbeing while 
keeping seniors active as they age in their homes. Many seniors who participate in these 
programs live on a limited fixed income and cannot afford to participate in these types of social 
activities without assistance. Requested funding will continue the following programs: weekly 
exercise class, taught at multiple levels, standing or seated, to encourage movement and 
increase muscle mass; excursions, 10–12-day trips to local art and history museums, 
theater/music performances, science centers, etc. with transportation and special event 
entertainment, 12 monthly special events to include 45 minutes of entertainment during lunch. 
This grant request is for $16,470.
2.
Connect Tempe: Older Adults Digital Access & Inclusion. Connect Tempe, a City of Tempe 
Community Health & Human Services initiative, empowers older adults through digital literacy 
and technology education. By bridging the digital divide, Connect Tempe fosters economic 
stability, social connection, and community wellness. Connect Tempe has demonstrated its 
ability to meet the needs of our community, making noticeable strides in healthcare access and 
social connection. Last year, 92% of participants reported reduced social isolation, and 89% felt 
more confident using digital tools. To meet evolving needs, Connect Tempe will implement the 
nationally recognized Senior Planet curriculum, delivering workshops in accessible community 
spaces like libraries, senior centers, and housing communities. Sessions will be offered in both 
group and one-on-one formats to support diverse learning styles. The program also plans to 
partner with organizations specializing in employment services, enabling referrals for 
individualized employment support. Requested funding for this program will sustain 
programming and expand offerings to include employment readiness support for older adults re-
entering the workforce or seeking meaningful volunteer roles by maintaining one temporary full-
time employee, provide direct financial assistance to participants to help cover essential

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employment-related costs such as work attire, supplies, training, and transportation. This grant 
request is for $114,049.
3.
Escalante Community Connections - Senior Enrichment Program. There is an identified 
need for increased community connectedness and engagement among older adults, especially 
those living in communities historically under-represented. According to the Making Space 
Equity Study for Tempe Parks and Recreation, the Escalante, Victory Acres, and Alegre 
neighborhoods need significant investment in programs that support a feeling of safety, 
connectedness, and allow for cultural representation. Residents in these communities tend to be 
underrepresented on community surveys, in leadership, and disconnected from other city-wide 
initiatives. The Escalante Multi-Generational Center (Escalante) supports residents in this area. 
The Escalante Senior Center offers senior-focused onsite programming and congregate meals 
in partnership with the Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA) with most of these programs 
being grant funded. Escalante staff is currently observing an increased lack of connectedness 
for seniors in this community and would like to increase participation in programs by offering 
education and wellness opportunities, as well as outings and active outreach opportunities to 
connect and parter with nonprofits working to support Tempe's aging adults. By more 
purposefully connecting program participants to the community resources beyond the center, 
staff hopes to promote increased social connectedness and strengthen community and resource 
awareness and partnerships. Requested funding for this program will provide two part-time staff 
members, contracted instructors, contracted vendors for transportation and admissions, and 
materials and supplies. This grant request is for $37,836.
4.
Escalante Summer Youth Workforce Development. This request will assist with the 
implementation of a 7-week teen job training program for youth in the Escalante, Alegre, and La 
Victoria neighborhoods of Tempe, focusing on job skills training, leadership development, and 
youth mentoring in partnership with the Kamp Kool program at the Escalante Multi-Generational 
Center (Escalante). The program will be open to local youth ages 13-17 who will interview for 
selection. They will then undergo a week-long orientation and training focused on program 
operation, behavior management, and lesson planning before being assigned to their squad and 
primary mentors. Participants will work to assist in facilitating the summer Kamp Kool program 
over a period of 6-weeks while participating in weekly team building sessions and additional 
focused training in resume writing, interviewing, leadership, and other job-related skills. At the 
end of the program each participant will receive a stipend, certificate, and letter of 
recommendation based on their participation. Successful candidates aged fifteen and older will 
also be eligible for application, interview, and hire for both year-round and seasonal employment 
opportunities with the recreation program. Requested funding for this program will provide one 
part-time staff member, youth participant stipends, uniforms, and an end-of-program awards 
ceremony. This grant request is for $31,600.     
5.
My Brother's Keeper Experience Corps Tutoring. Since committing to become a My Brother's 
Keeper (MBK) community in 2014, the Tempe Mayor and City Council have prioritized closing 
opportunity gaps for boys and young men of color, beginning with early literacy. Reading 
proficiently by third grade, one of MBK’s six core milestones, is a critical predictor of long-term 
academic success. Yet significant disparities persist. In Tempe, nearly 80% of African American 
boys and 75% of Hispanic boys are currently performing below grade-level reading benchmarks, 
rates well below state averages. Without targeted intervention, these early gaps compound over 
time, limiting educational attainment and future economic mobility. The Experience Corps–MBK 
program directly addresses this challenge by providing young boys with consistent, high-quality 
literacy support focused on foundational pre-fluency skills. The program also serves as a 
structured pathway into the Experience Corps model, reinforcing continuity of support as 
students progress. Through trained volunteers and evidence-based practices, participants 
receive individualized attention that complements classroom instruction and accelerates reading 
growth. Requested funding for this program will provide books for up to 1,500 students, volunteer

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training, volunteer supplies, and wages for two part-time temporary staff members. This grant 
request is for $73,066.
If Gila River Indian Community approves the grant requests, they will announce awarded grants in the 
fall of this year.
ATTACHMENTS:    03 05 26 RES NO R2026.XX GRIC INTERNAL FINAL.DOCX
STAFF CONTACT(S):  Jonathan Shuffield, Government Relations Director, (480) 350-8922
Department Director:  Jonathan Shuffield, Government Relations Director  
Legal review by:  Clarence Matherson, Jr., Deputy City Attorney
Prepared by:  Erin Fillmore, Management Assistant, Sr