Tampa centralizes Social Action and Arts Fund and approves $1.5M in FY2026 allocations to 58 nonprofits

The Tampa City Council on March 5 ratified a financial resolution formalizing FY2026 allocations from the Social Action and Arts Fund (SAAF), centralizing the program under the Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships and providing $1.5 million in one‑time and recurring payments to 58 nonprofit organizations.

Janelle McGregor (Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships) said the SAAF portfolio was centralized to improve efficiency and oversight, and introduced Andrew Elman, the program coordinator who presented the allocation structure: 58 organizations will receive funding totaling $1.5 million in three tiers — Tier 1 (one‑time payments up to $10,000), Tier 2 ($10,001–$24,999 in quarterly payments) and Tier 3 (over $25,000 in quarterly payments). "That will include 58 organizations totaling $1.5 million," Elman said.

Council action: Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak moved the financial resolution and the council adopted it; the clerk recorded the motion as carried with Councilman Carlson absent at the vote. Staff said they will provide a "report card" to council showing how funds are used and noted a May 28 workshop for a strategic discussion of nonprofit funding priorities and process design for future fiscal years.

Why it matters: centralizing SAAF and formalizing the allocation list is intended to improve accountability and make it easier for council and staff to monitor how city money supports community programs. Staff emphasized this represents FY2026 allocations and does not guarantee future funding beyond the current fiscal year.