HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4c. Approval of the DEI High Impact Grant Program Funding Priorities Item 4c
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 3/6/2024
Item Number: 4c
FROM: Nestor Veloz-Passalacqua, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
Phone Number: (805) 781-7073
E-mail: nveloz@slocity.org
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF THE DEI HIGH IMPACT GRANT PROGRAM FUNDING
PRIORITIES
RECOMMENDATION
The Human Relations Commission to review and approve the revised DEI High Impact
Grant Program Funding Priorities.
BACKGROUND
Annually, the Human Relations Commission is required to review and evaluate the
funding priorities for the DEI High Impact Grant program. The 2022 -23 funding priority is:
The DEI High Impact Grant 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, and initiatives
that contribute to creating a San Luis Obispo th at is welcoming, inclusive, equitable, and
safe. The scope of inclusion and equity work is inherently broad and complex, and the
funding seeks to support initiatives that show understanding of “root causes” issues to
address structural and systemic issues and can demonstrate measurable success and
contribute to some aspects 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 limi ted to:
1. Physical and mental health services
2. Education
3. Housing
4. Criminalization
5. Food security
6. Community representation
NEXT STEPS
Staff will receive feedback and the final approval from the HRC regarding changes or
updates to the language made to the funding priorities after having completed all the
required edits to the document from the January 10 and February 7, 2024, meetings.
Page 61 of 66
Item 4c
ATTACHMENTS
A - DEI High Impact Grant Funding Priorities – Final Draft
Page 62 of 66
DEI High Impact Grant Revised Funding Priorities
DRAFT 3 – 3/6/2024
Statement:
The DEI High Impact Grant 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, initiat ives 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, and the funding
seeks to support initiatives that show understanding of “root causes” issues and
“intractable” problems, seek to address structural and systemic inequities, can
demonstrate measurable success, and will contribute to some aspect of systemic change.
Funding Priorities:
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:
1. Affordable housing development and access to housing.
2. Access to culturally and linguistically appropriate behavioral health services.
3. Poverty and unemployment impacting access to education, food, and shelter.
4. Diversity in government and governing institutions.
5. Racial and socio-economic disparities in the criminal justice system.
6. Environmental justice and equitable access to sustainable resources.
7. Equity in access and representation of females and female-identified community
members in decision-making processes and leadership roles.
8. Diverse individual civic engagement related to voting representation and election
education.
9. Diverse work programs to match individuals with potential employers.
Funding Examples
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.
Page 63 of 66
Proposal 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.
Funding Requirements
1 Complete and submit a grant application (must include)
1.1 One-page DEI Statement that includes:
1.1.1 Applicant’s understanding and application of DEI concepts/values
1.1.2 Affirming language that creates access and a sense of belonging to all
community members.
1.1.3 Explain how the proposal will advance DEI in the City of SLO.
1.2 One-page detailed budget for the proposal including how the total amount
requested will be allocated.
1.3 Organizational chart (if joint application, all organizations must provide chart)
1.4 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 something new, but the recipient
organization must have been operating locally for at l east two [2] years.)
3 Grant 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.
4 Grant recipients must complete periodic impact reports and provide them timely.
Page 64 of 66
5 Grant recipients must submit a final impact report at the end of project or at 12
months from start, whichever comes first. Grant recipients will be expected to
return unused funds. Download sample report.
Funding Criteria
1 Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, government or
education entity, or faith-based organization
2 Funded activities must primarily occur in the City of San Luis Obispo.
3 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.
4 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.
5 Collaborations between one or more organizations or groups are welcome and
encouraged. At least one organization in the partnership needs to be an eligible
entity noted above.
Additional Funding Information
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 request, 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 organization (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 proposal is highly encouraged.
Prohibited Use of Funds
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 for
the purpose of disseminating religious information.
3 Funds CANNOT be used for profit or personal gain.
Page 65 of 66
Funding Decisions
The Human Relations Commission (HRC) will exercise discretion when developing
funding recommendations.
The HRC will review, with support from the Office of Diversity, Equity, & 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 application. Recommendations will be presented to the City Council for approval.
Proposals will be evaluated for meeting an identifie d 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.
Page 66 of 66