HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/4/2025 Item 6a, Kiser
Betsy Kiser <
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:Leann Standish
Subject:Financial Support for the SLOMA Capital Campaign
Attachments:SLOMA Letter of Support 10.31.25.docx
Please see the attached letter. Thank you.
Betsy Kiser
1
October 31, 2025
Re: Financial Support for the SLOMA Capital Campaign
To the Members of SLO City Council:
I am writing today to ask City Council to commit $2.5 million in support of San Luis Obispo
Museum’s (SLOMA’s) planned downtown expansion. The funds would permit SLOMA to
leverage an incredibly generous $2 million matching grant from the Forbes family: $500,000
now towards the matching grant and $2 million towards Phase 2 of the capital campaign to help
purchase the building.
A $2.5 million financial investment from the City would allow SLOMA to build on $8 million
already pledged and would keep the Museum on track for a 2026 groundbreaking and 2027
opening. If the full match is met, the Museum will have over $11 million committed toward the
$20 million project. Additionally, the funding would contribute to the advancement of the City’s
2025-27 Major City Goals of Cultural Vitality, Economic Resilience, and Fiscal Sustainability,
along with its long-term vision as articulated in the Downtown Concept, Mission Plaza, and
Economic Development Strategic plans.
As a former SLOMA Board Member, a former City employee responsible for Public Art, and a
current patron of the Museum, I am keenly aware of the economic impacts, access to cultural
and educational opportunities and a fundamental sense of belonging that have been afforded
the community by having the Museum in our midst all these years. This most valuable resource
has benefited not only the residents of the City of SLO but has had a regional and state-wide
impact as well. It is vital to our community.
I thank you for the opportunity to provide input on this worthy project and I urge you to make
the $2.5 million commitment to secure the Forbes matching grant.
Sincerely,
Betsy Kiser
betsykiser25@gmail.com