HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5a. DEI High Imact Grant Community Needs Workshop Item 5a
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 12/6/2023
Item Number: 5a.
FROM: Nestor Veloz-Passalacqua, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
Phone Number: (805) 781-7073
E-mail: nveloz@slocity.org
SUBJECT: DEI HIGH IMPACT COMMUNITY NEEDS GRANT WORKSHOP
RECOMMENDATION
Receive public comments on current community human services needs in the City of San
Luis Obispo and identify their alignment for the DEI High Impact Grant program.
BACKGROUND
City staff will describe the current DEI High Impact grant program, explain how to apply
for grant funding, provide an overview of eligible activities, and describe how proposals
are selected to receive DEI High Impact Grant funding through the City of San Luis
Obispo.
The DEI High Impact Grant program provides financial support to non-profit organizations
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, initiatives that
contribute to creating a San Luis Obispo that is welcoming, inclusive, equitable, and safe.
The scope of inclusion and equity work is inherently broad and comp lex, and the funding
seeks to support initiatives that show understanding of “root causes” issues to address
structural and systemic issues, can demonstrate measurable success, and contribute to
some aspect of systemic change.
The funding is primarily focused on narrowing equity gaps that have disproportionately
impacted marginalized communities. These equity 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
The workshop serves as an opportunity for the community and previous grant recipients
to provide public comment regarding the grant process and whether current community
needs align with the funding priorities set by the Human Relations Commission.
Page 163 of 168
Item 5a
NEXT STEPS
Following the public hearing, staff will compile information and present a summary to the
HRC on the January meeting. HRC will review and provide feedback to staff in the follow
up meetings regarding the funding priorities, which HRC will vote to adopt the funding
priorities.
ATTACHMENTS
A - Current DEI High Impact Gran Information
Page 164 of 168
Current DEI High Impact Grant Information
1. Introduction & Purpose of the DEI High Impact Grant:
The City of San Luis Obispo (the City) will provide up to $150,000 in financial support to
non-profit organizations for programming that advances diversity, equity, and inclusion
(DE&I) in the City.
The purpose of this funding is to enhance the sense of belonging for all people in our
community. This funding allocation is an effort to uplift and support local projects,
programs, or initiatives (“Projects”) that contribute to creating a San Luis Obispo that is
welcoming, inclusive, equitable, and safe.
The scope of inclusion and equity work is inherently broad and complex. This N otice of
Funding Availability (NOFA) seeks to support organizations and projects that show
understanding of “root cause” issues, can show demonstrable success, and will contribute
to some aspect of systemic change.
2. Funding Areas:
This funding is focused on narrowing equity gaps that have disproportionately impacted
marginalized communities. These gaps include, but are not limited to:
Physical and mental health services
Education
Housing
Criminalization
Food security
Community representation
3. Funding Examples:
These funds can be used for projects or services that reduce equity gaps and improve
justice, equity, diversity, and/or inclusion for unserved/underrepresented groups in the
City of San Luis Obispo.
Proposals may focus on specific unserved/underrepresented communities, but all
applications, services, and concepts must provide access to the entire community-at-
large and contribute to a positive systemic change. Examples of activities include but
are not limited to: (Examples are not ranked.)
Page 165 of 168
Social Justice/Anti-racism activities and training programs focusing on the impact
of historical disenfranchisement.
Ally or Advocacy training/programs focused in creating spaces for learning and
build community momentum related to social justice.
Projects designed for increased civic engagement for
unserved/underrepresented community members such as topics related to voter
registration, participation, etc.
Community art projects designed to uplift and bring awareness of social cause
issues to bring in more equity and support to communities whose stories/artwork
are not told or provides space.
Develop and implement culturally and linguistically appropriate services and
practices
Education – improvements, assistance, access
Health care - education, access, navigation services
Leadership development
Mentoring or apprenticeships programs
Multicultural learning spaces, community spaces, places to gather and build
community
Provide translated materials and interpretation to ensure diverse communities
can participate
Provide programs and services in non-traditional settings that increase access to
those services
Training/education for the broad community – awareness, equity, belonging, etc.
Work programs - job search, job training, etc.
4. Funding Criteria & Requirements:
Applicants must submit a complete application that must include the following
attachments:
o 1-page DEI statement that includes
Applicants’ understanding and application of DEI,
Affirming language that creates access and a sense of belonging in
our community apart from grant, and
Explain how this project will advance DEI in the City of SLO.
o 1-page detailed budget for the program including how the total requested
amount of grant would be spent.
o Organizational chart
o Document Certifying Federal Tax-Exempt Status
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.
Page 166 of 168
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. 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 welcome and
encouraged. At least one in the partnership needs to be an eligible entity noted
above.
Applicants must demonstrate core values of justice, equity, diversity and/or
inclusion in their purpose and operations and have been providing DEI-related
services or programs within SLO County for at least two (2) years prior to
application. (The proposal can be for something new, but the recipient
organization must have been operating locally for at least two [2] years.)
Recipients must enter into a contract with the City prior to receipt of DEI funds,
the form of which can be found here: Download sample contract.
Recipients must complete periodic impact reports and provide them timely.
Recipients must submit a final impact report at the end of project or at 12 months
from start, whichever comes first. Download sample report.
5. Funding Information & Restrictions:
The maximum request amount is as follow:
o Single applicants: minimum request of $5,000, maximum request of
$20,000
o Partner applications: two or more applicants partner up for proposal.
There is no minimum request, but maximum request is $40,000. A lead
organization must be identified in the application.
A maximum of one grant award is allowed per organization (or per partnership if
a collaborative project).
Funding may be used for new or existing projects, programs, or initiatives that
have proven success and/or utilize best practices or innovative approaches.
Programs that leverage existing or other funding sources are encouraged.
Initiative must start by January 1, 2024.
Must execute a contract with City prior to award of funds.
Funds cannot be used for:
o Advancing a political cause(s)
o Religious activities
o For profit or personal gain
Page 167 of 168
6. Funding Decisions:
The Human Relations Commission (HRC) will review – with support from the Office of
DE&I - all received-applications and develop funding recommendations based on the
answers and attestations provided in each application. Recommendations will be
presented to the City Council for approval.
Proposals will be evaluated for meeting an identified need(s), potential to succeed,
ability to make high impact or advance systemic change, and for serving the
underserved/underrepresented communities.
Please note that the HRC will exercise discretion when developing funding
recommendations.
Page 168 of 168