City of Westminster City Council Member Amy Phan West in Westminster on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Phan West proposed the creation of a nonprofit community foundation. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Westminster is on course to create a nonprofit foundation to help the cash-strapped city apply for grants and seek donations for events such as the annual Tet parade.
A community foundation, can “help raise funds for community events and generally support city programs designed to help youth, seniors, low-income families and the homeless,” city staffers said.
In February, when they made Westminster’s annual Tet parade an official city-sanctioned event, city leaders first explored setting up a community foundation.
“The foundation will enhance funding for city-sponsored events because it will financially incentivize businesses and those with resources to make larger donations,” said Councilmember Amy Phan West. “Being able to deduct a charitable donation from your taxes is a big reason why people give to charities.”
City staffers studied nonprofits in various cities to make some recommendations to the council for how the community foundation could function.
Garden Grove, Los Alamitos, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Tustin, Rancho Santa Margarita, Stanton, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Placentia and Anaheim all have community foundations.
Like the foundations in those cities, Westminster’s will be organized as a 501(c)(3) corporation and will adhere to the Brown Act, which requires organizations post their agendas and minutes.
The city of Santa Ana is also considering the creation of a community foundation to accept tax-deductible donations and apply for grants.
Next steps
City staffers are suggesting the nonprofit be called the Westminster Community Foundation.
Phan West, who first proposed a foundation, is recommending its statement of purpose be: “to promote the city, and to support its events, as well as enhance the quality of life of its residents and community through local philanthropy and community service.”
As next steps, each of Westminster’s four councilmembers will pick two people to serve on the nonprofit’s board. Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen will have the opportunity to select three people.
“Within the next month, the council is expected to make their appointments to the foundation board,” City Manager Christine Cordon said, adding there are various filings that have to be made to get the nonprofit status and establish the new foundation.
Councilmember Carlos Manzo raised a concern that sometimes people are appointed to posts to gain a title instead of because of what they bring to the table, and he hopes the board members are independent, free thinkers and put the community first.
In the past, Westminster’s Tet parade and Quang Tri monument were, at times, both politicized.
“I’m hopeful that the foundation is successful,” Manzo said. “In our city, politics seems to get in the way of things, so I just hope that is not the case and it’ll be successful for years to come.”
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