HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5b. Revision of the 2025-26 DEI High Impact Grant Recommendations and Provide a New Recommendation to Council for Approval Item 5b
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 11/5/2025
Item Number: 5b
FROM: Samantha Vethavanam, DEI Administrative Specialist
Phone Number: (805) 781-7064
E-mail: svethava@slocity.org
SUBJECT: REVISION OF THE 2025-26 DEI HIGH IMPACT GRANT
RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROVIDE A NEW RECOMMENDATION TO
COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL
RECOMMENDATION
1. Review the 2025-26 DEI High Impact Grant funding recommendations from the
October 1, 2025 Human Relations Commission meeting; and
2. Make a new final recommendation to City Council for approval based on necessary
adjustments.
BACKGROUND
In 2021, City Council approved funding for the DEI High Impact Grant program of
$120,000. The purpose of the funding was to enhance the sense of belonging for all
people in our community. Following the inaugural grant cycle, the Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion Task Force made a recommendation to Council to provide ongoing annual
funding in the amount of $150,000 for DEI High Impact Grants, which have been provided
on an annual basis since 2021.
For the 2025-26 DEI High Impact Grant cycle, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
received a total of 20 applications with a total funding request of $321,330. The grant
application opened on July 21, 2025, and closed on September 2, 2025. Programs,
projects, initiatives, etc. funded by this grant may focus on specific underserved and
underrepresented communities, but must provide access to the entire City of San Luis
Obispo community-at-large and contribute to a positive systemic/structural change.
On October 1, 2025, the Human Relations Commission (HRC) held a regular meeting
which included a public hearing to review the grant applications and make a final funding
recommendation to City Council. During this meeting, the HRC Grant Review
Subcommittee provided their preliminary recommendations to the full HRC, which was
followed by public comment and deliberation. Upon completion of the deliberation, the
HRC voted on a final funding recommendation to send to City Council.
As staff were preparing documents to send those final funding recommendations to
Council, staff were alerted by one of the grantees recommended for funding, the San Luis
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Item 5b
Obispo Disabled American Veterans Memorial Chapter 45, that they were a 501(c)(19)
and not a 501(c)(3) and inquired if they were still eligible. After a discussion with the City
Attorney’s office, staff determined that this grantee was ineligible for funding.
As a result, this item will be a new public hearing to revise the original 2025-26 DEI High
Impact Grant funding recommendations and redistribute the $4,475 that was allocated to
the San Luis Obispo Disabled American Veterans Memorial Chapter 45 and make any
other changes are necessary.
NEXT STEPS
Upon completion of the public hearing and HRC deliberation on the funding
recommendations, new final funding recommendations will be presented to City Council
as a consent item at one of the December meetings.
ATTACHMENTS
A - 2025-26 DEI High Impact Grant HRC Funding Recommendations
B - October 1, 2025 Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes
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Organization Project/
Program Description of Project/Program Req.
Amount
Rec.
Amount Comments
1
Asian American
& Pacific
Islanders of SLO
(AAPI SLO)
AAPI SLO: Our
Voices, Our
Stories
Project would build organizational and
programmatic capacity while honoring the
community's resilience. Funding would support the
5th annual festival, which is a one-day AAPI
cultural celebration with food, music, and art.
Leading up to the event, there will be storytelling
events throughout the year. Funds will support
staff training, supplies, rent, honorariums, and
professional support.
$15,000 $0 Not recommending for
funding this grant cycle.
2
Court Appointed
Special
Advocates
(CASA) of SLO
County
SLO CASA DEI
Project
Project would support and build cultural
competency and expertise of CASA staff and
volunteers by expanding outreach and recruitment
efforts to diversify pool of volunteers for
underrepresented demographics. Funds would
support a portion of the CASA Training Manager's
salary, a portion of one of the CASA Advocate
Supervisors who leads program serving LGBTQ
teens, and training for staff in best practices.
$10,000 $10,000 Recommend fully funding
this grant cycle.
3
Diversity
Coalition of SLO
County
SLO Equity
Podcast
Program would be an episodic podcast (at least 12
per year) dedicated to amplifying
underrepresented voices in SLO County. Podcast
will highlight the experiences of BIPOC, women of
color, immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, low-
income and housing insecure individuals, and
others. It will also feature the efforts of local
leaders in the equity space. Each topic will align
with funding priorities for this grant. Funds would
support stipends, production, marketing, admin,
and other expenses.
$20,000 $10,000
Recommend partially
funding this grant cycle.
Grantee to scale services
based on amount funded.
4 GALA Pride and
Diversity Center
Queer
Leadership and
Civic
Engagement
Initiative
Program would empower individuals in San Luis
Obispo County to become effective community
leaders, advocates, and changemakers. The
cohort will include 8-10 emerging leaders (with an
emphasis on recruiting youth and young adults
ages 18-35) who will participate in monthly
workshops, mentorship, and projects. Funds would
support staffing, training, stipends, events,
reporting, admin, and other.
$20,000 $15,000
Recommend partially
funding this grant cycle.
Grantee to scale services
based on amount funded.
Additionally, HRC would
like to stipulate that at least
75% of the cohort must be
from City of SLO or have a
strong tie to the City.
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5 Hospice of SLO
County
Volunteer
Training &
Community
Outreach
Program would include comprehensive DEI
training for new volunteers and outreach initiatives
to spread awareness about services to hard-to-
reach populations. Funding would support staff
salaries, volunteer onboarding, training materials,
technology, and marketing.
$20,000 $0 Not recommending for
funding this grant cycle.
6 Literacy for Life Literacy
Program
Program teaches non- or low-literate adults to
read, write, and speak English. Program assesses
each learner's literacy level and guides them to
meet their individual literacy learning goals. Tutors
work one-on-one with the learners. Funds would
support all aspects of the program.
$15,000 $7,925
Recommend partially
funding this grant cycle.
Grantee to scale services
based on amount funded.
7
Mixteco
Indigena
Community
Organizing
Project (MICOP)
Housing/
Wellness
Navigator
Program
Program provides direct housing support, eviction
prevention, and rental assistance to families facing
housing insecurity. Funds will also assist families
in accessing wraparound services such as Medi-
Cal, SSDI, etc. Funds would support an Admin
Assistant salary.
$20,000 $20,000
Recommend fully funding.
HRC would like to stipulate
that a majority of outreach
is done within the City of
SLO.
8 One Cool Earth
Salud y
Conocimiento en
el Jardín - One
Cool Earth
School Garden
Program at
Pacheco
Elementary
School
Program provides culturally-sensitive garden-
based education to students at Pacheco
Elementary School during the 2026-27 school
year. Includes a campus garden and a trained
garden educator who delivers a minimum of 6
lessons in both English and Spanish. Funds would
support the cost of the bilingual garden educator
and gardening supplies.
$10,000 $10,000
Recommend fully funding
this grant cycle.
9 RACE Matters
SLO County
Advancing
Community
Belonging and
Cultural
Representation
Through
Signature
Events
Project would support two annual events: 1)
Stories Matter (a live storytelling showcase that
features community members’ stories in addition
to local musicians) and 2) Day with Santa (a family
event with a Black Santa). Funds would support
presenter fees, rentals, admin, decor, labor, and
more.
$6,600 $6,600 Recommend fully funding
this grant cycle.
10
SLO Disabled
American
Veterans
Memorial
Chapter 45
2026 Ability Fair
and Expo
Project would be a two-day event gathering
federal, state, and local benefit agencies, assistive
technology vendors, health providers, and peer-
support organizations in a one-stop hub. Funds
would support food and beverage, set-up,
transportation, printing, and postage.
$17,703 $4,475
Applicant is ineligible to
receive funds as a
standalone entity, and
funds must be
redistributed.
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11
SLO for Home &
Church World
Services
SLO for Home
Program would support resettlement for refugees
of war-torn countries, including housing, culturally
appropriate food, healthcare referrals, legal
services, transportation, education, and
technology support. Financial support is provided
in the first year, which is gradually reduced as the
family gains financial independence. Funds may
support rent and transportation.
$20,000 $0 Not recommending for
funding this grant cycle.
12 SLO Hillel
Central Coast
Jewish Heritage
Festival
Project would support Central Coast Jewish
Heritage Festival, which includes the Jews of
Color free speaking event. Funds would support
artists fees, honorariums, venue costs, advertising,
and reception costs.
$20,000 $6,000
Recommend partially
funding this grant cycle.
HRC would like to stipulate
that funds must only be
used for the Jews of Color
Project Component.
13 SLO Museum of
Art
Peter Krashes
Exhibition and
Public
Programming
Project would present a Spring 2026 exhibition by
artist and community activist Peter Krashes as well
as free public programs to engage historically
marginalized communities. Funds would support
exhibition production, public programming,
marketing, and staff time.
$10,000 $0 Not recommending for
funding this grant cycle.
14 SLO Noor
Foundation
Accessible
Healthcare for
All - City of SLO
Project
Program would provide underserved residents with
free medical, dental, vision, and mental health
services through brick and mortar and telehealth
access. Program would also provide translation
services and community resources as well as
medical training opportunities for students. Funds
would support staffing costs and supplies.
$20,000 $20,000 Recommend fully funding
this grant cycle.
15 SLO People's
Kitchen
SLO People's
Kitchen
Program provides a hot meal at noon for anyone
that needs it in San Luis Obispo, with increasing
numbers. Funding would support paper goods and
food. There are no screenings or preconditions for
meals.
$10,000 $0 Not recommending for
funding this grant cycle.
16
SLO United
Methodist
Church
Beacon Art
Show
Project would be a venue for local artists to show
their talent, vision, and interpretation of the show's
theme - which this year is "DEI - Diversity, Equity,
& Inclusion."
$1,500 $0 Not recommending for
funding this grant cycle.
17 SLO Wind
Orchestra
Movement to
Music: An
Equitable
Concert Series
for Seniors
Project would expand the Movement to Music
concert series, which is designed to provide
accessible cultural experiences that promote
physical and mental well-being for seniors.
Funding would increase the number of concerts
and provide a licensed PT to guide light, seated
movement. Funds would support stipends,
outreach, venue costs, and marketing.
$10,000 $0 Not recommending for
funding this grant cycle.
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18
Smart Share
Housing
Solutions
Creating
Inclusive,
Welcoming,
Accessible
Community:
Connecting the
Past, Present, &
Future
Project would be done in two phases: 1) gather
input and inform community members on
inclusivity and 2) design and incorporate
interpretive signs into residents' social networks in
below market rate housing. Funds would support
the production of the workshop series and the
interpretive signs.
$20,000 $0 Not recommending for
funding this grant cycle.
19
Transitions
Mental Health
Association
Fear-Less: A
Spanish-
Language
Course on
Managing
Anxiety
Program would support parents of children ages 6-
14 who experience anxiety and help them learn
new cognitive behavioral strategies for anxiety
management. Bilingual instructors will work with
Pacheco Elementary to provide free Spanish-
language versions of the course. Funding would
support personnel costs and some operating
costs.
$15,526.50 $0 Not recommending for
funding this grant cycle.
20
UndocuSupport
& Corazon
Latino, San Luis
Coastal Unified
School District,
Womenade SLO
Connected
Resources:
Schools and
Nonprofits in
Partnership for
Families
Program would support families in the City of SLO
who have concerns related to emotional well-
being, mental health, and basic survival needs.
Services include Emotional Support Groups and
one-time financial support for basic needs.
Connections to families will be made through the
school district. Funds would support staff salary,
supplies, direct aid, and admin costs.
$40,000 $40,000 Recommend fully funding
this grant cycle.
TOTAL $321,330 $150,000
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1
Human Relations Commission Minutes
October 1, 2025, 5:00 p.m.
Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Human Relations
Commissioners
Present:
Commissioner Stephanie Carlotti, Commissioner Esmeralda
Parker, Commissioner Jenn Fields, Vice Chair Catuih Campos,
Chair Angie Kasprzak
Human Relations
Commissioners Absent:
Commissioner Vincent DeTurris
City Staff Present: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Matt Pennon and
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Admin Specialist Samantha
Vethavanam
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commission was
called to order on October 1, 2025 at 5:00 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 - SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 HUMAN
RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES
Motion By Commissioner Parker
Second By Commissioner Carlotti
To approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of September 3,
2025.
Ayes (5): Commissioner Carlotti, Commissioner Parker, Commissioner
Fields, Vice Chair Campos, and Chair Kasprzak
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2
Absent (1): Commissioner DeTurris
CARRIED (5 to 0)
4. BUSINESS ITEMS
4.a REVIEW OF THE 2024-25 DEI HIGH IMACT GRANT MID-YEAR
REPORTS
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Manager Matt Pennon presented the staff
report and responded to Commissioner inquiries.
Chair Kasprzak opened Public Comment
Public Comment:
None.
--End of Public Comment—
Chair Kasprzak closed Public Comment
Action: The Commission Liaisons for the 2024-25 DEI High Impact Grant
reviewed their mid-year reports and provided feedback for staff to relay to
grantees. The mid-year reports were received and filed. No formal action
taken on this item.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
5.a REVIEW 2025-26 DEI HIGH IMPACT GRANT SUBCOMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROVIDE A RECOMMENDATION TO
COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Matt Pennon presented the staff
report and responded to Commission inquiries.
Chair Kasprzak opened Public Comment
Public Comment:
Rita Cassaverde
Bob Williams
Katrina Cathcart
Chelsea Ruiz
Bernadette Bernardi
Courtney Haile
Leroy Kemp
Velanche Stewart
Patricia Segoviano de Pier
Leila Daniel
Tara Clapham
Linnea Valdivia
--End of Public Comment--
Chair Kasprzak closed Public Comment
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2
Motion By Commissioner Fields
Second By Vice Chair Campos
Action: To provide the following funding recommendations to City Council
for the 2025-26 DEI High Impact Grants:
1. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of SLO County - SLO
CASA DEI Project: $10,000
2. Diversity Coalition - SLO Equity Podcast: $10,000
3. GALA Pride & Diversity Center - Queer Leadership and Civic
Engagement Initiative: $15,000
4. Literacy for Life - Literacy Program: $7,925
5. Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) -
Housing/Wellness Navigator Program: $20,000
6. One Cool Earth - Salud y Conocimiento en el Jardin/One Cool Earth
School Garden Program at Pacheco Elementary School: $10,000
7. RACE Matters SLO County - Advancing Community Belonging and
Cultural Representation Through Signature Events: $6,600
8. SLO Disabled American Veterans Memorial Chapter 45 - 2026
Ability Fair and Expo: $4,475
9. SLO Hillel - Central Coast Jewish Heritage Festival: $6,000
10. SLO Noor Foundation - Accessible Healthcare for All - City of SLO
Project: $20,000
11. UndocuSupport, Corazon Latino, San Luis Coastal Unified School
District, & Womenade SLO - Connected Resources: Schools and
Nonprofits in Partnership for Families: $40,000
Ayes (4): Commissioner Carlotti, Commissioner Fields, Vice Chair
Campos, and Chair Kasprzak
Absent (2): Commissioner DeTurris, and Commissioner Parker
CARRIED (4 to 0)
6. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION
6.a STAFF & COMMISSIONER UPDATES AND AGENDA FORECAST
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager, Matt Pennon and Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion Admin Specialist Sam Vethavanam provided the
following updates:
• Upcoming Agenda Items: Council Liaison visit, an overview of the
Responding to Hate and Bias Toolkit, and tentatively the public
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3
hearing for the Community Development Block Grant funding
recommendations.
• Candidate Education Offering on November 13th.
• Diversity Coalition Government Commissions and Mixer event on
November 13th.
• Staff went on the Cal Poly Indigenous Walking Tour.
Commissioner Fields provided the following updates:
• Upcoming GALA events:
o Pride Prom on October 4th
o National Coming Out Day event on October 11th
o Fall Harvest Festival on October 24th
Chair Kasprzak provided the following updates:
• NAMI Walks event on October 4th
• SLOMA new exhibit unveiling on October 11th
• CAPSLO Fundraiser on October 11th
• RACE Matters Stories Matter event on October 18th
• Trunk or Treat on October 31st
• Dia de los Muertos on November 1st
Vice Chair Campos provided the following updates:
• Support local businesses at the Farmer’s Market
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:54 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Human
Relations Commission is scheduled for November 5, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the
Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
_________________________
APPROVED BY HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION: XX/XX/2025
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