The Fountain Hills Town Council has voted to endorse a grant application and act as an agent to provide the proposed funding to the International Dark Sky Discovery Center (IDSDC).
The offices of U.S. Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego have reached out to the IDSDC and invited the group to apply for Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) for FY26. However, it is noted that non-profit organizations such as the Discovery Center, are not eligible for CDS money. Communication with the Arizona Senators’ offices “strongly encouraged” IDSDC to partner with local government to sponsor the project.
The grant request is expected to be about $2.5 million plus $100,000 for any direct costs, which the town would submit to the Senators’ offices.
