SVDP Application

El Mirage Community Partnership Grant Program
Application
Program Overview 
The City of El Mirage Community Partnership Grant supports nonprofit organizations that provide essential
health and human services directly to El Mirage residents, including low-income families, seniors, youth,
and other individuals who may benefit from additional support.  
Health and human services refer to programs, projects, or activities that improve the general health,
including physical, mental, emotional, or social well-being, of individuals and families. These services
address basic needs, promote safety and stability, and enhance residents' overall quality of life.  
The program offers one-time funding of up to $10,000 per application annually from July 1 to June 30.
Eligible nonprofits and other qualified charitable organizations with 501(c)(3) status or IRS letter of
determination recognizing nonprofit status under A.R.S. §42-11154 may submit multiple applications for
funding, provided each application represents a distinct program or project.  
Applicants are limited to one application per program or project. Each application must specify the
minimum funding required. Applications are evaluated based on an evaluation scoring rubric approved by
the City Council. The ultimate funding decisions are made by the El Mirage City Council. 
Applicant Eligibility Criteria   

The applicant must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation or other qualified charitable or nonprofit
organization as provided for in A.R.S. §42-11154. 

The applicant must provide direct health and human services to El Mirage residents and
demonstrate how the program or project improves resident well-being. 

The applicant must demonstrate the ability to generate revenue from sources other than the City of
El Mirage. 

The applicant must submit the five following required documents:
    1) Proof of 501(c)(3) status or IRS determination letter under A.R.S. §42-11154. 
    2) Organizational mission statement. 
    3) Board of directors list, including roles and affiliations. 
    4) Last two years of IRS Form 990 filings (or explanation if not available or required to file). 
    5) Completed application signed by an authorized representative. 

If awarded, the applicant must register with the City of El Mirage as a vendor and provide an IRS

Form W-9 to receive funds. 

If awarded, the applicant must demonstrate satisfactory progress toward stated goals and
objectives and provide timely and accurate reports as required by the city. 
Application Directions 
Please answer the following questions in narrative form. Applicants will receive up to five points for a
complete and accurate application.  
Submission Directions 

One electronic copy of the application and required attachments must be submitted no later than
the date and time identified in the notice to apply. 

Late applications will not be accepted. 

Please save a copy of this application for your records.

Awarded applicants are required to report completed program or project goal measurements by a
date and time specified in the notice of award, before the end of the fiscal year of the award,
or sooner as may be required by the city.  
More Program Information
Visit www.ElMirageAZ.gov/Grants for more information about the program, including evaluation scoring
rubric.
Program-Related Inquiries  
For program questions or to update contact information, please contact Regan Jepson at
communityservices@elmirageaz.gov. 
Part 1: Agency and Program or Project
Section A: Agency Information 
Agency Name
St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix
Tax Number
86-0096789
Executive Director / CEO
Shannon Clancy
Website
https://www.stvincentdepaul.net/
Address
14013 N Verbena St., El Mirage, Arizona 85335
Phone
(602) 254-3338

Section B: Agency Overview  
Briefly describe your organization, the services it provides, mission, goals, and population served. 
St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) has grown from a singular “Feed” mission in 1946 to a holistic one that
promotes systemic change and greatly increased quality of life for those we serve. Our mission is to feed,
clothe, house and heal people experiencing poverty and homelessness and to serve volunteers seeking
meaningful interactions throughout central and northern Arizona. We do this by surrounding guests with
the resources they need to overcome their challenges and barriers.
Programmatic highlights last year:
Feed: We fed 2.6M meals to the community and delivered about 148,000 emergency food boxes to
families’ doorsteps through a network of 80 neighborhood food banks.
House: We helped stabilize housing for 12,600 households (39,100 individuals). We housed 2,600 people
experiencing homelessness across 5 emergency programs, helping many navigate to economic stability
and permanently end their homelessness. On average, people lived with us for 5 months.
Heal: Our Medical, Dental and Chronic Disease Education Clinics served 5,100 low-income, uninsured
patients across 17,700 visits, helping them navigate chronic conditions and return to health.
Please upload the following required documents: 
1.
Proof of Section 501(c)(3) Tax Exemption - IRS determination letter verifying nonprofit status under
A.R.S. §42-11154 from the Internal Revenue Service. Please upload. 
2.
Organizational mission statement. Please upload. 
3.
Board of Directors list including a current list of board members with roles and affiliations. Please
upload.  
Upload Files Here
SVdP IRS Confirmation 2025.pdf
SVdP Board of Directors FY26.pdf
SVdP Mission Statement.pdf
Section C: Program or Project Information 
Program or Project Name
Food for SVdP's El Mirage Dining Room
Program or Project Contact Person
Cindy Bernardo
Email 
cbernardo@svdpaz.org
Phone
(602) 509-0455
Does the program or project directly serve residents of the City of El Mirage?
Yes
Please select one health & human services category that best aligns with the need met by the
program.
Food and Nutrition

If you selected "Other" above, please specify:
Part 2: Program Description
Section A: Narrative Description 
Please provide a detailed description of the program or project that these grant funds will support,
if awarded.
Grant funding will support food purchases for the St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) El Mirage Dining Room, a
vital community resource that provides compassion, respite, social connection and nutrient-dense meals to
residents experiencing financial hardship, homelessness and food insecurity. The Dining Room serves
weekday lunch to guests from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and functions as a critical heat-relief resource during
Arizona’s summer months.
This Dining Room is the only one on the west side that serves free hot meals and to-go sandwiches 5 days
a week, including holidays, to anyone who walks in. It also has the benefit of referring guests to 5
volunteer-run SVdP neighborhood food pantries for resources that also offer financial help with rent,
utilities and other essentials.
The El Mirage Dining Room brings together individuals and families in need of reliable meals and a
welcoming environment, as well as volunteers and community partners committed to supporting neighbors
during difficult times. While the Dining Room meets immediate nutritional needs, it also creates
opportunities for relationship-building, trust and referrals to supportive resources. Food often serves as the
entry point for meaningful connection, helping guests feel seen, safe and supported as they work toward
greater stability.
As the Dining Room Manager notes, “Everyone knows this is a safe space.”
In the most recent year, the El Mirage Dining Room served nearly 36,300 meals, averaging approximately
3,000 meals per month. Of SVdP’s four dining rooms across the Valley, El Mirage has become a
particularly critical community asset, with meal service increasing by more than 54% compared to
pre-pandemic levels. This growth reflects both increasing community need and the Dining Room’s role as
a trusted, accessible resource for El Mirage residents.
As food, housing and utility costs continue to rise, the El Mirage Dining Room faces growing demand from
households struggling to meet basic necessities. City of El Mirage support will help sustain consistent meal
service, maintain a safe and welcoming environment, and ensure that residents have a dependable place
to turn for nourishment, connection and referrals to additional community resources. Partnerships such as
this strengthen community well-being and help ensure that vulnerable residents are not left without support
during times of hardship.
Describe how this program or project will benefit El Mirage residents directly and the need or gap
in service that it meets. Please include data to support your response.
SVdP operates the only free public dining room in the City of El Mirage, making it a critical access point for
residents experiencing food insecurity and financial hardship. The El Mirage Dining Room fills a significant
service gap by providing consistent access to hot, prepared meals within city limits.
In the most recent year, the El Mirage Dining Room served 36,268 meals to local residents, following
39,395 meals served the year prior. Compared to pre-pandemic levels, meal service has increased by
more than 54%, reflecting rising community need and increasing cost pressures on low- and

moderate-income households.
Approximately one in ten El Mirage residents is age 65 or older, with seniors experiencing poverty at a rate
higher than the regional average. Many older adults in El Mirage live on fixed incomes and are
disproportionately affected by rising food, housing and utility costs. The Dining Room provides an
essential, accessible source of nutrition for seniors, families and individuals who are struggling to meet
basic needs, helping stabilize households and prevent deeper crises.
Is this a new or continuing program?
Continuing
If you selected "Other" above, please specify:
Section B: Scope & Timeline 
What are the program or project dates? 
The program is ongoing through our fiscal year starting on 10/1 and ending on 09/30.
Total number of persons expected to be served by this program or project during the funded year.
36,000
Total number of El Mirage residents you expect to be served by this program or project during the
funded year.
36,000
How soon will the program or project be implemented after funds are received, if awarded? (If not
applicable, write “N/A.”) 
N/A
Section C: Accessibility and Resource Needs 
Does your program or project take place in the City of El Mirage? * 
Yes
Where will your project or program be located, and how does this location support your ability to
serve El Mirage residents effectively?
El Mirage residents come to SVdP's El Mirage Dining Room located at 14013 N Verbena St. in El Mirage
85335, off of Grand and Thunderbird. Food support for the dining room and associated food pantry comes
from SVdP's main campus located in south Phoenix (420 W Watkins Rd in Phoenix 85003).
Describe how your program or project will be open to the public and ensure accessibility for
persons with disabilities, including specific accommodations.
SVdP’s El Mirage Dining Room is open to the public and designed to be accessible to individuals of all
abilities, with no barriers to entry. The facility is ADA-compliant, including accessible entrances, clear
pathways, seating accommodations, and restrooms that meet accessibility standards. Reasonable
accommodations are provided upon request to ensure individuals with disabilities can safely and
comfortably access meals and services. Staff are trained to assist guests with diverse needs, including
mobility, sensory, cognitive or health-related disabilities.
SVdP provides a welcoming, inclusive environment and a safety net of supportive wrap-around services
regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity,
documentation status, age, or disability. By removing physical, procedural and social barriers, the

El Mirage Dining Room helps address the resource disparities that disproportionately affect low-income
individuals and people with disabilities.
Will the implementation of this activity require space, staffing, grants management, or in-kind
contributions from another agency, a school, or another jurisdiction?
No
If you selected "Other" above, please specify (If not applicable, write “N/A.”):
N/A
Section D: Collaboration and Outreach 
Are you currently partnered with, or have you ever partnered with, the City of El Mirage?
No
Describe how you will collaborate with the City of El Mirage to coordinate outreach promoting the
program or project to the residents of El Mirage.
St. Vincent de Paul works closely with local partners and municipalities to ensure services reach residents
most in need and to avoid duplication of efforts. The El Mirage Dining Room is embedded in the community
and supported by local volunteers, making it a trusted and visible resource for residents experiencing food
insecurity.
SVdP will collaborate with the City of El Mirage to coordinate outreach by sharing information about the
Dining Room through City-connected channels such as referrals from City staff, collaboration with local
nonprofits and faith-based partners, and visibility at community events or gatherings as appropriate. SVdP
welcomes opportunities to align messaging with the City to ensure residents are aware of available
services and to strengthen connections between the Dining Room and other City-supported resources.
This coordinated approach helps ensure residents of El Mirage can easily access meals and supportive
services when they need them.
How will you work with other local partners to maximize impact and ensure residents are aware of
and engaged with your services?
St. Vincent de Paul maximizes impact by working alongside local partners at the service-delivery level,
ensuring residents are both aware of and actively engaged with available supports. The El Mirage Dining
Room functions as a trusted, front-door resource where residents regularly gather, making it an effective
hub for information sharing, outreach and connection.
SVdP collaborates with local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, volunteer groups and referral partners
that serve overlapping populations, including seniors, families experiencing food insecurity and individuals
facing housing instability. These partners help spread awareness of Dining Room services through direct
referrals, informal networks and shared community touchpoints, ensuring residents learn about services
through sources they already trust.
Examples include five SVdP volunteer-run food and resource pantries, Church of the Palms for showers,
Circle the City for medical and behavioral care, and New Leaf for housing stabilization.
Within the Dining Room itself, staff and volunteers engage directly with guests, sharing information about
available resources and encouraging participation in supportive services offered by partner organizations.
Because the Dining Room is operated with strong volunteer involvement, community members also serve
as ambassadors—helping ensure neighbors, families and vulnerable individuals know where to turn for
meals and connection.

This relationship-based, community-grounded approach ensures outreach is personal, consistent, and
responsive to local needs, helping residents not only access meals but remain engaged with a broader
network of community support.
Part 3: Program or Project Goals and Outcomes
Please provide up to three goals of the program or project and describe how progress will be
measured to ensure success in providing health and human services to the residents of El
Mirage. It is important to ensure that your goals correspond with the proposed number of residents to
be served within the program year. Explain how you will collect and report data and measure the
impact for each stated goal. 
Example Goal: Of the 80 persons served by the project, 40% (32 persons) will find employment within
three months of entering the program. This will be measured by follow-up contact with each program
participant. 
Measurable Goal No. 1
Serve at least 30,000 free, nutritious meals in El Mirage, prioritizing seniors, low-income households, and
individuals experiencing homelessness.
Measurable Goal No. 2
Ensure consistent weekday lunch service with no reductions in scheduled service days, ensuring residents
can rely on uninterrupted access to meals and a safe place for respite and connection.
Measurable Goal No. 3
Connect at least 25% of the residents served at the Dining Room with information, referrals or direct
connections to additional supportive services such as food pantries, senior programs, housing resources,
or health-related services.
Part 4: Funding Request
Total Community Partnership Grant Funding Requested
10,000.00
Minimum Community Partnership Grant Funding Requested
5,000.00
Is program or project implementation contingent upon receiving the full award?
No. As the City of El Mirage discerns the competitive proposals it receives from the community, SVdP is
grateful for any consideration of grant funding to support the increasing number of residents we are serving
each day.
If approved for an amount less than 100% of your request, how will you address the shortfall?  
With 80 years of experience providing food services in Arizona, SVdP maintains a diversified mix of
funding sources, in kind donations and community partnerships to ensure continuity of service. If awarded
less than 100% of the requested amount, SVdP will address the shortfall by leveraging alternative funding
streams, private donations, volunteer support and in kind food contributions to avoid scaling back meal
service or reducing access for El Mirage residents. For example, we launched the Feeding Our Neighbors
Together initiative to increase community based food donations, helping offset rising food costs and
fluctuating funding levels.

Part 5: Program or Project Budget
Section A: Total Program or Project Budget 
Total Cost of the Program or Project Operations
158,600.00
Total Program or Project Funding from Other Funding Sources
500.00
What other funding sources presently support this program or project? 
Other than individual contributions, we currently do not have funding partners for this dining room, which is
run entirely by volunteers. The largest cost is the food itself. Otherwise, repairs, supplies and occupancy
cost $10,100.
Section B: Total Budget for Program or Project – Grant Award
Only 
Grant Award Budget Narrative 
Wages/Salaries
0.00
Employee-Related Expenses (ERE)
0.00
Professional Services & Outside Services
Training
0.00
Materials & Supplies
155,200
General Office Supplies
0.00
Administrative Cost (not to exceed $1,000 or
10% of grant request)
0.00
Program/Project Incentives (gift cards, food,
certificates of achievement)
0.00
Marketing/Outreach
0.00
Other
3,400.00
If you selected "Other" to the previous question,
please explain.
Occupancy costs
Explain how grant funds will be utilized to support administrative costs for your project.
Grant funds from the City of El Mirage will support food purchases (not administrative costs).
Section C: Program or Project Funding Sustainability 
How will your organization generate or secure additional funding to sustain services for the
continued operation of this program or project? 
With 80 years of experience providing food services in Arizona, SVdP maintains a diversified mix of
funding sources, in kind donations and community partnerships to ensure continuity of service. If awarded
less than 100% of the requested amount, SVdP will address the shortfall by leveraging alternative funding
streams, private donations, volunteer support and in kind food contributions to avoid scaling back meal
service or reducing access for El Mirage residents. For example, we launched the Feeding Our Neighbors

Together initiative to increase community based food donations, helping offset rising food costs and
fluctuating funding levels.
If the program receives less than the requested amount of funding, what adjustments, if any, would
be made to the program and services provided to El Mirage residents?
Please see above.
Part 6: Operational and Financial Status
Please upload the following required attachments: 
Applicant organization's last two IRS Form 990 filings.   
If your organization is not required to file a 990, upload a brief explanation. 
Please upload attachment (1). 
SVDP 990.pdf
Please upload attachment (2). 
SVDP 990 2023.pdf
If your organization does not have either document available, please explain below.
Authorized Representative Signature