Funding should primarily focus on advancing and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion through innovative practices that seek to narrow equity gaps and address intractable, systemic, and structural issues. Eligible projects may provide a one-time service with long-lasting impacts.

Illustrative examples of systemic/structural issues include (NOTE: this is not an exhaustive list):

• Affordable housing development and access to housing.
• Access to culturally and linguistically appropriate behavioral health services.
• Poverty and unemployment impacting access to education, food, and shelter.
• Diversity in government and governing institutions.
• Racial and socio-economic disparities in the criminal justice system.
• Environmental justice and equitable access to sustainable resources.
• Equity in access and representation of females and female-identified community members in decision-making processes and leadership roles.
• Diverse individual civic engagement related to voting representation and election education.
• Diverse work programs to match individuals with potential employers.

DEI High Impact funds can be used for innovative, new or existing projects, initiatives, and ongoing programs to advance 1) diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and/or 2) to reduce equity gaps and improve social justice initiatives for underserved and underrepresented communities in the City of San Luis Obispo.

Proposals may focus on specific underserved and underrepresented communities, but all projects, applications, and concepts must provide access to the entire City of San Luis Obispo community-at-large and contribute to a positive systemic/structural change. Examples of previously funded activities include: (examples are illustrative and not ranked)

• Enhancing language access for Spanish-speaking community members in historical exhibits.
• Expand access to education and knowledge on social services programs by developing how-to videos in English, Spanish, and Mixteco.
• Create cultural spaces for learning purposes to expand community building and belonging for all.
• Enhance board leadership programs to include a diversity lens to create more inclusive governing bodies and government organizations.
• Provide and enhance ally or advocacy training programs designed to build community momentum and social justice.
• Community art projects designed to uplift and bring social awareness of social cause issues impacting equity, communication, and stories of underserved and underrepresented communities.
• City-wide training and panel discussion events on sensitive topics that create awareness, equity, belonging, and challenges exclusive narratives.

1. Complete and submit a grant application (must include)
   • One-page DEI Statement that includes:
     • Applicant's understanding and application of DEI concepts/values
     • Affirming language that creates access and a sense of belonging to all community members
     • Explain how the proposal will advance DEI in the City of SLO.
   • One-page detailed budget for the proposal including how the total amount requested will be allocated.
   • Organizational chart (if joint application, all organizations must provide chart)
   • Document certifying Federal Tax-Exempt Status.
2. Applicants must demonstrate core values of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in their purpose/mission statement and daily operations and have been providing DEI-related initiatives or programs within SLO County for at least two (2) years prior to application. (The proposal can be for somethin new, but the recipient organization must have been operating locally for at least [2] years).
3. Grant recipients must enter into a contract with de City prior to receipt of DEI funds, the form of which can found here: Download sample contract.
4. Grant recipients must complete periodic impact reports and provide them timely.
5. Grant recipients must submit a final impact report at the end of the end of the project or at the 12 months from start, whichever comes first. Grant recipients will be expected to return unused fund. Download sample report here.

• Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, government, or education entity,  or faith-based organization.
• Funded activities must primarily occur in the City of San Luis Obispo.
• Funded activities must primarily serve City residents. Applicants that provide services to neighboring communities, but also serve a significant number of City residents, will be considered.
• Requests must be for programs or services with the ability to show measurable impact and success. New creative approaches that are rooted in best practices or evidence-based, as well as proven approaches, are highly encouraged.
• Collaborations between one or more organizations or groups are welcomed and encouraged. At least one organization in the partnership needs to be an eligible entity noted above.

1. Single applicants' minimum request of $5,000 and a maximum request of $20,000.
2. For partner applications (two or more applicants) there is no minimum dollar amount requested, but maximum request is $40,000. A lead organization must be identified in the application.
3.  A maximum of one (1) grant award is allowed per organizations (or per partnership if a collaborative project).
4. Funding may be used for new (innovative) or existing projects, programs, concepts, or initiatives that have proven success and/or utilize best practices or innovative approaches.
5. Innovative projects, programs, concepts, and initiatives are highly encouraged.
6. Projects, programs, concepts, and initiatives that leverage existing or other funding sources to supplement proposals are highly encouraged.

1. Funds CANNOT be used for advancing, advocating, promoting, or highlighting political causes, entities, ballot measures, or candidates.
2. Funds CANNOT be used for advancing, advocating, promoting, or highlighting religious causes, entities, individuals, or activities. Funding CANNOT be used of the purpose of disseminating religious information.
3. Funds CANNOT be used for profit or personal gain.

The Human Relations Commission (HRC) will exercise discretion when developing funding recommendations.

The HRC will review, with support from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, all applications (that are completed, timely submitted, and met the funding criteria) and develop funding recommendations based on the answers and attestations provided in each applications. Recommendations will be presented to the City Council for approval.

Proposals will be evaluated for meeting an identified and defined intractable/systemic/structural problem or need, potential to succeed, ability to make a high impact, or advance systemic change, and for centering efforts to address inequities for underserved and underrepresented communities while serving all community members.

Tentative Timeline (subject to change)

July 22, 2024 - Application Opens

July 29, 2024 - Information Session (English & Spanish)

July 31 & August 1, 2024 - Technical Assistance Hours

August 30, 2024 - Application Closes

October 2, 2024 - Public Hearing and HRC Decision on Funding Recommendations

November 2024 - City Council Final Funding Decisions

December 2024 - Contracts Routed

January 2025 -  Funds Disbursed

July 2025 - Midyear Reports Due

January 2026 -  End of Year Reports Due