San Luis Obispo opens DI High Impact grant applications, staff outline eligibility, limits and timeline

San Luis Obispo city staff on July 16 explained how nonprofit partners can apply for the city’s new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DI) High Impact grant and answered applicant questions about eligibility, budgets and timing.

Samantha, a city staff member who co-led the session, said the fund is intended to support nonprofit community partners that propose projects “focused on enhancing the sense of … belonging for all people living, working, or playing within the city of San Luis Obispo.” Matt, a city staff member, said the DI fund totals $150,000 and that applicants should expect the program to be competitive.

Why it matters: The grant is aimed at projects serving underserved or underrepresented communities within San Luis Obispo while remaining open to all residents. Staff emphasized that the city’s limited pool means applicants should show leverage from other funding and strong, city-specific impact.

What the city told applicants

- Priorities: Staff listed four funding priorities applicants may target — advancing belonging; increasing access; advancing structural and institutional equity; and improving community health and well-being. Examples included storytelling and arts programs, inclusive communications and digital-equity projects, workforce-development pathways, and initiatives addressing social determinants of health.

- Eligibility and documents: Lead applicants must be a 501(c)(3) or partner with one; applicants should include a one-page access-and-belonging statement, a project-focused budget, and an organizational chart for partners. Staff said incomplete applications will be pulled before Human Relations Commission (HRC) review.

- Geographic and population focus: Staff said 100% of funded activities must occur within San Luis Obispo city limits and funded activities must primarily serve city residents; projects may also reach neighboring communities but should prioritize city impact.

- Award sizes and limits: The minimum grant request is $5,000. Individual applicants may request up to $20,000; collaborative partnerships may request up to $40,000. Staff gave a sample illustration in which a $5,000 city award matched a roughly $9,000 total project cost.

- Prohibited uses: Staff said grant dollars cannot be used for political campaigning, advocacy for ballot measures, religious proselytizing, permits or city fees, or for stipends and honoraria paid directly to individuals. Salary and personnel costs and payments to professional organizations are allowed. Pass-through entities that re-grant city funds are ineligible.

- Contract and insurance: A draft contract template is available on the city website. Staff said all partners must enter contracts with the city and that grantees must provide proof of insurance within 10 calendar days of contract execution; the city must be listed as additionally insured. Some child-serving programs may require abuse/molestation coverage and staff said they will work with applicants on exclusions or quotes as needed.

- Review process and timeline: Staff described a three-stage flow: staff review for completeness and compliance; HRC forms a subcommittee and makes public recommendations; and city council makes the final funding decisions (typically on a consent agenda but with the option to pull items for discussion). Key dates provided: applications open July 20 at 8 a.m.; technical-assistance office hours are scheduled for July 29 (1–4 p.m., 30-minute slots by email reservation); applications close Aug. 24 at 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (confirmed during Q&A); HRC public hearing on recommendations is Oct. 7 at 5 p.m.; notifications are expected in December or January; and, pending contracts, funds would be dispersed in January with projects starting Jan. 1, 2027 and running through Dec. 31, 2027.

Questions and clarifications

- Deadline timezone: An attendee asked whether “5 p.m. PST” meant Pacific Standard Time; Samantha confirmed the deadline is 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on Aug. 24.

- City limits and Cal Poly: Staff confirmed an event at Cal Poly would not qualify because Cal Poly is outside San Luis Obispo city limits; a Cal Poly group could qualify if it held the event inside the city.

- One-time events vs. ongoing programs: Staff said either is eligible if the application explains how a one-time event will contribute to longer-term, structural impact.

- Technical assistance and recording: Staff will post the session recording on the DI grant webpage and will offer technical-assistance slots by email at di@slowcity.org; they cautioned the online application must be completed in one sitting and recommended drafting answers in Word to paste into the form.

Next steps: Applicants can review detailed questions and the draft contract on the city grant page (slowcity.org/diversity), reserve technical-assistance time at di@slowcity.org, and prepare complete application materials ahead of the 5 p.m. PDT Aug. 24 deadline. The Human Relations Commission will hold a public meeting on Oct. 7 to review funding recommendations before the city council finalizes awards.

(Reporting based on an online DI High Impact grant information session hosted by San Luis Obispo city staff.)