Stay Gallery, city reach funding agreement

DOWNEY – The city of Downey and Stay Arts have agreed to a one-year funding deal that will see the city pay the monthly rent on Stay Gallery through the end of 2024.

The deal still needs ratification from the city council, which is scheduled to vote on the deal Tuesday.

Under terms of the agreement, Stay Arts will provide the city:

  • quarterly reports that provide updates on attendance, programs, donors and fundraising;

  • bi-annual financial statements with details on revenue and expenditures;

  • a business plan;

  • updated organizational bylaws;

  • five-year strategic fundraising campaign plan;

  • one year of financial audits

The agreement also requires Stay Arts to add board members with experience in fundraising and non-profit financial management; to generate at least 10% of its operating budget through fundraising by October 2024; and to provide a documented increase in grant submissions.

In exchange, the city will pay Stay Arts $3,281 monthly to be used towards Stay Gallery’s rent.

The city of Downey originally contracted Stay Arts in 2012 to provide public art exhibitions, special events and educational programming. The city agreed to pay Stay Gallery’s monthly rent in Downtown Downey in exchange for those services.

NewsStaff Report