HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/1/2022 Item 7b, Makekau - Staff Agenda Correspondence (DEI High Impact Grant Program and Applications)City of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum
City of San Luis Obispo
Council Agenda Correspondence
DATE: November 1, 2022
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Beya Makekau, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
VIA: Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager
SUBJECT: ITEM 7b - DEI HIGH IMPACT GRANT FUNDING
Staff received the following questions, regarding DEI High Impact Grant Funding item at
the November 1, 2022 City Council meeting . The questions are below with staff’s
response shown in italics:
1) Question: What is the purpose and criteria for the DEI High Impact Grant program?
Answer: The purpose of the funding program is to enhance the sense of belonging
for all people in the San Luis Obispo community. This funding allocation is an effort
to uplift and support local projects, programs, or initiatives (“Projects”) that benefit
the public by contributing to a San Luis Obispo that is welcoming, inclusive,
equitable, and safe. Ultimately, the grant program is in alignment with the City’s
Major City goals and the investment in these programs is also expected to support
the local economy and build a more resilient community. This grant program is an
example of how we actualize the Council’s Vision to be a dynamic community with
core values of “sustainability, diversity, inclusivity, regionalism, partnership, and
resiliency.”
Funding Criteria included the following key aspects:
• Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization,
government or education entity.
• Funded activities must primarily occur in the City.
• Funding activities must primarily serve City residents. Applicants that
provide services in 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 successes.
• Viability and sustainability were also key indicators in final review and
recommendation.
Item 7b – Staff Agenda Correspondence DEI High Impact Grants Page 2
The funding is focused on narrowing equity gaps that have disproportionately
impacted marginalized communities. These gaps include, but are not limited to:
1. Physical and mental health services
2. Education
3. Housing
4. Criminalization
5. Food security
6. Community representation
2) Question: Will the salon portion of the R.A.C.E. Matters application be a part of the
non-profit function of the organization?
Answer: Based on the application and confirmed in subsequent conversations, any
activities happening within the space (including salon services) would be run as a
part of the R.A.C.E. Matters non-profit operations. The salon services would be
publicly available, and revenue generated would go to R.A.C.E. Matters for
operational costs and the overall funding and sustainability of the non-profit. The
services provided would also contribute to the City’s economic and fiscal goals in
its promotion of diverse business within the City and ability to attract new and
diverse visitors to the downtown area.
3) Please provide a link to the applications for the HRC grants.
All of the applications received can be found here:
http://opengov.slocity.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=169941&dbid=0&repo=CityC
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