Primary Department: Housing and Community Development
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Thao Costis, Executive Director
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Grant - Application
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): National Partnerships for New Americans
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): 0%
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Grantor does not allow indirect cost capture
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by Housing and Community Development for approval to submit an application to National Partnership for New Americans for grant funds in the amount of $15,000, with no required match, for the FY25 Naturalize Now - Houston Celebrate Citizenship Initiative Program.
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Background and Discussion:
On June 17, 2025, The National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) announced the launch of the "Naturalize Now, Houston! Celebrate Citizenship" mini-grant opportunity. Community based organizations, local governments, and local institutions across Greater Houston are invited to apply for funding to organize and host events that celebrate and promote citizenship within immigrant communities. Mini-grants will range between $5,000 - $15,000 and the amount of the grant will be contingent on an organization's capacity to host events and gather attendees. This new mini-grant initiative, “Naturalize Now, Houston! Celebrate Citizenship” will fund community-based events that promote civic engagement, highlight the value of U.S. citizenship, and encourage eligible residents to begin the naturalization process.
The National Partnerships for New Americans (NPNA) is a national multiethnic, multiracial partnership network of 66 of the country’s leading immigrant and refugee rights organizations who together advocate for policies and programs to successfully integrate New Americans. NPNA exists to 1) strengthen immigrant and refugee voices across the nation by building the policy and program capacities of member organizations; 2) pursue policy campaigns with members at the local, state, and federal level; and 3) Deepen strategic partnership to advance immigrant and refugee inclusion and equity in the United States.
Expected Impact:
If Commissioner’s Court approves the submission of the Naturalize Now Houston! Celebrate Citizenship mini-grant application in the amount of up to $15,000, the funds will be utilized to support events celebrating newly naturalized citizens within Harris County.
Alternative Options:
No alternative options identified.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: D: Reduce racial, ethnic, and economic disparities in the criminal legal system.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any): N/A
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Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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FY25 Naturalize Now - Houston Celebrate Citizenship Initiative Program |
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$15,000.00 |
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Anticipated Court Date: 7/10/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 9/1/2025
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Toi Babineaux, Director of Community Resilience Programs, Housing & Community Development
Attachments (if applicable): Naturalize Now, Houston! Celebrate Citizenship Application