HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 6j - Consideration of the 2025-27 DEI High Impact Grant Funding Priorities and Information Item 6j
Department: Administration
Cost Center: 1010
For Agenda of: 7/15/2025
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager
Prepared By: Samantha Vethavanam, DEI Admin Specialist
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF THE 2025-27 DEI HIGH IMPACT GRANT
FUNDING PRIORITIES AND INFORMATION
RECOMMENDATION
As recommended by the Human Relations Commission, approve the Diversity Equity and
Inclusion (DEI) High Impact Grant funding priorities and information for the 2025-26 and
2026-27 fiscal years.
POLICY CONTEXT
The purpose of the Human Relations Commission (HRC) is to advise and make
recommendations to the City Council and the City Manager which promote and advance
inclusion, mutual understanding, respect, and equitable treatment to all San Luis Obispo
community members. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) High Impact Grant
program provides financial support to non-profit organizations for programming and
projects that advance equity and inclusion in the City. This grant program advances the
current DEI Major City Goal workplan by facilitating programs and initiatives to support
diverse community engagement and representation and by increasing access and
belonging for all community members.
DISCUSSION
Background
The DEI High Impact Grant was created in 2020 to enhance a sense of belonging for all
people in the San Luis Obispo community and to support local projects, programs, or
initiatives that contribute to creating a San Luis Obispo that is welcoming, inclusive,
equitable, and safe. The funding initially focused on narrowing equity gaps that have
disproportionately impacted marginalized communities.
City Council approved a total of $559,800 in DEI High Impact Grants between 2020 and
2023 using the original funding priorities and information from 2020. Between December
2023 and March 2024, the Office of DEI worked with the HRC to update and streamline
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Item 6j
the above funding priorities and other information for the DEI High Impact Grant, including
through a noticed Public Hearing in December 2023 to receive feedback from the public.
The City Council approved the funding allocations for that year based on the revised
funding priorities on December 10, 2024. Current grant recipients are implementing a
diverse array of programs designed to address structural and systemic issues, including
fitness classes for people with autism to a mentorship program for elementary school
students to opportunities for community members to learn more about different cu ltures
and groups in the City.
On June 4, 2025, the Office of DEI brought said DEI High Impact Grant funding priorities
and information back to the HRC to confirm and/or further revise them in advance of the
next two funding cycles. The HRC made a few edits and approved the DEI High Impact
Grant funding priorities and information document as amended, which is included as
Attachment A, at that same meeting. The Office of DEI will plan to bring the DEI High
Impact Grant funding priorities and information back to the HRC, and then to City Council,
every two years for approval and/or revision to align with the budget cycle.
The content included in Attachment A (the revised DEI High Impact Grant funding
priorities and information) will be added to the Office of DEI website, within the section for
the DEI High Impact Grant. This information constitutes the Notice of Funding Availability,
as it includes information not only on the priorities for the grant, but the funding criteria,
requirements, prohibitions, and other pertinent information.
Notable Changes from Previous Funding Priorities and Information
A majority of the recommended changes to the DEI High Impact Grant funding priorities
and information for the 2025-27 funding cycles are minor wording and streamlining edits.
However, there are a few notable changes, which include:
Changing item 2 under the Funding Criteria section from “Funded activities must
primarily occur in the City of San Luis Obispo” to “100% of the funded activities
must occur in the City of San Luis Obispo.”
This change was included to ensure that services are focused and centered on
the City. While we do not require that only City residents can access the services,
this requirement will ensure that City residents will have easy access and ability
to benefit.
Providing more clarity on the requirements for partnership applications, i.e., when
two or more organizations apply together for a program, project, or initiative that
they plan to implement together. These clarifications include specifying that there
must be a lead applicant who is an eligible entity and who will act as the fiscal
agent, and that all parties must enter into the contract.
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These changes were included to allow maximum flexibility for a variety of
organizations doing work that would fall within the grant’s scope to be able to
apply, including those who may not have a non -profit status. The changes codify
and clarify how this could work in order to avoid confusion for applicants.
Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
The City Council approved the first round of DEI High Impact Grants on November 17,
2020, and has approved funding allocations for each year between 2022 and 2024.
The HRC has approved revised funding priorities and information for the DEI High Impact
Grant on December 10, 2024, and again on June 4, 2025.
Public Engagement
Prior to the June 4, 2025 HRC meeting, the Office of DEI emailed all external community
partners and collaborators to inform them of the oppor tunity to provide public comment
on the DEI High Impact Grant funding priorities and information, which were being
discussed at that meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended action in
this report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines
Sec. 15378, as the grant funding disbursements will not result in either a direct physical
change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the
environment. Specific projects funded by the grants may be subject to environmental
review or exemption therefrom.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: N/A Budget Year: 2025-27
Funding Identified: N/A
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund N/A N/A $ $
State
Federal
Fees
Other:
Total N/A N/A $ $
There are no fiscal impacts directly related to approval of the DEI High Impact Grant
funding priorities and information.
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Item 6j
ALTERNATIVES
1. The Council could revise and adopt different funding priorities and information.
If Council decides to revise and adopt different funding priorities and information for
the upcoming DEI High Impact Grant, staff would request specific guidance on final
funding priorities and information during the Council meeting , since the NOFA is
scheduled to be published on or before August 4th.
2. The Council could continue consideration of the funding priorities and
information. If Council decides to continue consideration of the funding priorities and
information for the upcoming DEI High Impact Grant, Council should provide direction
to staff regarding additional information needed to make a decision. This may delay
the timeline for posting the Notice of Funding Availability for the grant.
3. The Council could provide direction to the HRC to consider alternative changes
to the funding priorities and information. If Council decides to provide direction to
the HRC to amend the funding priorities and information, Council would need to
continue consideration of the item and provide direction to the HRC. This may delay
the timeline for posting the Notice of Funding Availability for the grant.
ATTACHMENTS
A - Revised DEI High Impact Grant Funding Priorities and Information
B - June 4, 2025 HRC Meeting Minutes
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DEI High Impact Grant Revised Funding Priorities and Information
DRAFT – 6/4/2025
Statement:
The DEI High Impact Grant provides financial support to non-profit organizations to
enhance the sense of belonging for all people in the community of San Luis Obispo. This
funding allocation is an effort to uplift and support local projects, programs, and initiatives
that contribute to creating a San Luis Obispo that is welcoming, inclusive, equitable, and
safe. The scope of equity and inclusion work is inherently broad and complex, and the
funding seeks to support initiatives that show understanding of root cause issues and
intractable problems, 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.
Illustrative examples of systemic/structural issues include:
1. Availability of affordable housing development and access to housing.
2. Access to culturally and linguistically appropriate behavioral health services.
3. Impact of poverty and unemployment.
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 in decision-making processes and leadership
roles.
8. Civic engagement related to voter representation and election education.
9. Diversity of employers and work programs.
Funding Examples:
DEI High Impact Grant funds can be used for innovative, new or existing projects,
initiatives, and ongoing programs to reduce equity gaps and improve social justice
initiatives for underserved and underrepresented communities in the City of San Luis
Obispo.
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.
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Examples of previously funded activities include: (examples are illustrative and not
ranked)
• Enhancing language access for Spanish-speaking community members in public
historical exhibits.
• Expanding access to education and knowledge on social services programs by
developing public how-to videos in English, Spanish, and Mixteco.
• Creating cultural spaces for learning purposes to expand community building and
belonging for all.
• Enhancing board leadership programs to include a diversity lens to create more
inclusive governing bodies and government organizations.
• Providing and enhancing ally or advocacy training programs designed to build
community momentum and social justice.
• Public 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 trainings 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 least 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
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.
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Funding Criteria
1 Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, government or
education entity, or faith-based organization
2 100% of the funded activities must 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 the maximum request is $40,000. A lead organization must
be identified in the application. The lead organization must be an eligible entity
and must act as the fiscal agent. All parties must enter into the contract.
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. Funding may also be used for a one-time service that has
long-lasting impacts.
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 are highly encouraged.
Prohibited Use of Funds
1 Funds CANNOT be used for advancing, campaigning, advocating, promoting, or
highlighting political entities, ballot measures/initiatives, 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 in any form.
3 Funds CANNOT be used for profit or personal gain.
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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 meet 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.
Final funding decisions are at the sole discretion of the City Council.
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.
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Human Relations Commission Minutes
June 4, 2025, 5:00 p.m.
Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Human Relations
Commissioners
Present:
Commissioner Mason Ambrosio, Commissioner Stephanie
Carlotti (arrived at 5:13pm) Commissioner Vincent DeTurris,
Commissioner Esmeralda Parker, Commissioner Sierra Smith,
Chair Angie Kasprzak
Human Relations
Commissioners
Absent:
Vice Chair Catuih Campos
City Staff Present: Deputy City Manager Greg Hermann, DEI Administrative
Specialist Samantha Vethavanam, DEI Manager Matt Pennon
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commission was
called to order on June 4, 2025 at 5:05 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City
Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Chair Kasprzak.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Public Comment:
None.
--End of Public Comment--
3. CONSENT
3.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - MAY 7, 2025 HUMAN RELATIONS
COMMISSION MINUTES
Motion By Commissioner Smith
Second By Commissioner DeTurris
To approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of May 7, 2025.
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Ayes (5): Commissioner Ambrosio, Commissioner DeTurris, Commissioner
Parker, Commissioner Smith, Chair Kasprzak
Absent (2): Commissioner Carlotti and Vice Chair Campos
CARRIED (3 to 0)
Commissioner Carlotti joins at 5:13pm
4. BUSINESS ITEMS
4.a OVERVIEW AND UPDATE ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIC PLAN
Economic Development & Tourism Manager Laura Fiedler provided
information to the Commissioners on the current Strategic Plan and how
DEI is embedded within.
Public Comment:
None.
--End of Public Comment--
4.b UPDATE AND OVERVIEW OF THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
Sustainability & Natural Resources Official Robert Hill and Sustainability
Manager Chris Read provided information to the Commissioners on the
current Climate Action Plan and how DEI is embedded within.
Public Comment:
None.
--End of Public Comment--
4.c SAN LUIS OBISPO POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Chief Rick Scott and Officer John Stevens provided information to the
Commissioners on the current Strategic Plan and how DEI is embedded
within.
Public Comment:
None.
--End of Public Comment--
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4.d FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 DEI HIGH IMPACT GRANT FUNDING
INFORMATION AND PRIORITIES REVIEW
Public Comment:
Jerry Mihaic
--End of Public Comment—
Motion By Commissioner Smith
Second By Chair Kasprzak
To approve the DEI High Impact Grant funding information and priorities
for Fiscal Year 2025-26 for City Council’s approval with the following
recommendations:
• Update language to the Additional Funding section to clarify that the
lead organization for partner applications needs to be an eligible
entity and act as the fiscal agent, but that all parties must enter into
the contract.
• Remove the sentence “eligible projects may provide a one-time
service with long-lasting impacts” from the Funding Priorities
sections and add as a seventh Additional Funding Information item
Ayes (6): Commissioner Ambrosio, Commissioner Carlotti, Commissioner
DeTurris, Commissioner Parker, Commissioner Smith, Chair Kasprzak
Absent (1): Vice Chair Campos
CARRIED (4 to 0)
5. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION
5.a STAFF & COMMISSIONER UPDATES AND AGENDA FORECAST
Deputy City Manager Greg Hermann, DEI Manager Matt Pennon, and DEI
Admin Specialist Samantha Vethavanam provided the following update of
upcoming projects:
• DEI Manager Pennon will be reaching out to schedule one on ones
with the Commissioners.
• City staff attended Pride in the Plaza and Trans Pride in the Park the
weekend of May 31 – June 1 and experienced great community
engagement.
• City Council approved the HRC’s Human Services Grant
recommendations at the June 3rd Regular Meeting with a modification
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to award $15,000 to People’s Self Help Housing and $10,000 to SLO
CASA.
• The final Community Belonging Series workshop will take place June
10th
• 2024-25 DEI High Impact Grants mid-year reports are due on July 21st
• 2024-25 Human Services Grant year-end reports are due July 21st.
Chair Kasprzak informed the Commission that on June 21st there will be a
“Pride Prom” event at 1500 Lizzie Street, as well as “Swim With Pride” on
June 28th at Sinsheimer Park. The Juneteenth event in San Luis Obispo
would be cancelled, but Paso Robles will be hosting an event on June 21st
at the Downtown Park.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 p.m. The next Special Meeting of the Human
Relations Commission is scheduled for July 9, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall, 990
Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. The July 2, 2025 Regular Meeting will be
cancelled.
_________________________
APPROVED BY HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION: XX/XX/2025
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