The City of Rancho Cordova’s Community Enhancement & Investment Fund supports a variety of projects and programs from public safety to public works, to legacy projects, to community-based and grassroots programs and initiatives, to opportunities for residents and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grants

The city provides grants to individuals, organizations, businesses and community partners who are interested in enhancing the Rancho Cordova community through arts, culture, history, entertainment and sports; education; and other projects. Grants are made annually and traditionally open in February. Sign up to receive information on future grant opportunities.

Funding

The Community Enhancement & Investment Fund is funded by Measures H and R, ½ cent local sales tax measures approved by Rancho Cordova voters respectively in November 2014 and 2020.

For Fiscal Year 2024/2025, the following allocations were authorized by the City Council:

• $3.4 million for community projects
• $2.9 million for economic/community development
• $17.1 million for infrastructure, public safety, legacy projects, affordable housing/homelessness, and other public programs

Measure R, in effect as of April 2021, will provide augmented funding to improve city streets, make our neighborhoods even safer, and fund programs to attract new businesses and create jobs, including more retail, restaurants and recreation opportunities. The city added "Investment" to the name of the fund in 2021 to reflect the additional community priorities supported.

Projects and Programs

Citizen Oversight Board

The Oversight Board was created in 2017 and includes up to nine residents (seven adults and two students) to provide an extra layer of oversight to monitor the Community Enhancement & Investment Fund and to provide feedback and recommendations to city staff. The current Board Members were appointed in October 2020 and 2022. More Information about the Board’s Responsibilities and Meetings

Historical Milestones

• February 2024: Moved grant application online to all electronic platform
• September 2024: Revised Oversight Board responsibilities to provide input on Community Enhancement & Investment Fund’s online information 
• November 2014: Measure H was approved by Rancho Cordova voters.
• February – April 2015: Rancho Cordova City Council in partnership with residents and businesses developed a list of key community priority areas for the Community Enhancement Fund, through a series of 16 town hall meetings and City Council meetings.
• April 2015: Measure H ½ cent sales tax went into effect.
• June – July 2015: City began receiving the new funds. First community grants funded.
• November 2016: Launched the inaugural edition of the Citizen Report.
• October 2017: Created the Citizen Oversight Board.
• April 2018: Launched an Open Data portal for projects and programs in the works or completed since 2015, past citizen reports, and more.
• April 2020: 5th Anniversary of the fund.
• November 2020: Measure R was approved by Rancho Cordova voters.
• April 2021: Measure R ½ cent sales tax went into effect.
• October 2021: Added "Investment" to the name of the Community Enhancement & Investment Fund to reflect the additional community priorities supported.

Contact

If you have any questions on the Community Enhancement & Investment Fund, contact Randi Kay Stephens at rstephens@cityofranchocordova.org or 916.851.8781.