HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5b. REVIEW 2026-27 DEI HIGH IMPACT GRANT FUNDING PRIORITIES Item 5b
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 4/1/2026
Item Number: 5b
FROM: Samantha Vethavanam, DEI Administrative Specialist
Phone Number: (805) 781-7064
E-mail: svethava@slocity.org
SUBJECT: REVIEW 2026-27 DEI HIGH IMPACT GRANT FUNDING PRIORITIES
RECOMMENDATION
Review and provide feedback as necessary on the proposed 2026-27 DEI High Impact
Grant funding priorities.
BACKGROUND
Currently, the Human Relations Commission (HRC) reviews funding priorities for the DEI
High Impact Grant on a biennial basis. This process begins with the HRC’s initial review
of proposed priorities, incorporates feedback, and concludes with the Community Needs
Grant Workshop public hearing.
The HRC recently reviewed and approved updated funding priorities and requirements
for the 2025-26 DEI High Impact Grant. While these updates would typically be
implemented in the 2026-27 grant cycle, there is interest in establishing ranked funding
priorities, similar to the Human Services Grant program, rather than maintaining a single,
general priority.
The current DEI High Impact Grant priority is listed as follows: Funding should primarily
focus on advancing and implementing access and belonging initiatives through innovative
practices that seek to narrow equity gaps and address intractable, systemic, and
structural issues.
This item will include a review of the proposed update to the funding priority and a
recommendation on ranking the priorities listed prior to the Community Needs Grant
Workshop public hearing. Following the public hearing, the HRC will send a
recommended revised priority for the 2026-27 DEI High Impact Grant to City Council for
approval.
ATTACHMENTS
A - Revised 2026-27 DEI High Impact Grant Priorities
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City of San Luis Obispo – DEI High Impact Grant: Funding Priorities
Projects may focus on supporting specific underserved or underrepresented communities;
however, all proposals must be open and available to all individuals without regard to the
resident’s race, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, or ability/disability. The DEI
High Impact Grant prioritizes innovation – encouraging creative, forward-thinking approaches
that drive meaningful change and foster belonging across the City. Collaborative and
partnership-based applications are highly encouraged, especially those that bring together
community organizations and City residents to build sustainable and inclusive impacts. Funded
projects should contribute to positive, systemic, or structural changes that strengthen inclusion
and belonging across the City of San Luis Obispo.
1. Advancing Belonging
Support projects that strengthen connection, cultural awareness, and a sense of belonging
among community members across the City of San Luis Obispo.
Examples:
• Initiatives that bring diverse groups together through shared storytelling, arts, dialogue,
or celebration.
• Programs that create inclusive public spaces or community traditions that reflect and
welcome the City’s diversity.
• Cultural and community-building events that promote cross-cultural understanding and
celebrate diverse identities.
• Efforts that increase representation in civic or public spaces, such as inclusive public art
or storytelling projects that reflect the community.
2. Increasing Access
Invest in efforts that actively remove barriers and expand opportunities for all community
members to engage in civic and community life across the City of San Luis Obispo.
Examples:
• Projects that increase access to community programs, boards, or events within the City,
including but not limited to language access, transportation, outreach, and digital
inclusion.
• Inclusive communications and outreach strategies that improve accessibility across
languages and for people with abilities/disabilities.
• Digital equity initiatives that expand access to technology, broadband, and digital literacy.
• Efforts that help residents better understand how to get involved in local decision-
making, leadership opportunities, or civic processes.
3. Advancing Structural and Institutional Equity
Support organizations to build the long-term capacity for inclusion and belonging in the City of
San Luis Obispo.
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Examples:
• Trainings, workshops, or mentorship programs that grow inclusive leadership and
organizational skills.
• Efforts that strengthen networks among community-based organizations, City
departments, and residents.
• Equity audits and capacity-building within organizations to strengthen Diversity, Equity,
and Inclusion practices, recruitment, and retention.
• Community engagement trainings to ensure more inclusive public processes and
decision-making.
• Data and evaluation projects that track disparities and outcomes by race, gender,
ability/disability, or other identity markers.
• Workforce development programs that create career pathways, especially those that are
centered around getting underrepresented groups into high-paying or growing sectors.
4. Improving Community Health and Wellbeing
Fund programs that improve quality of life for City residents through access to wellness
resources, education, and community support systems. Priority may be given to efforts that
reduce isolation, promote mental health, and strengthen community resilience.
Note: This funding priority does not include housing or homelessness-related services, which
are addressed through a separate City grant program.
Examples:
• Health equity projects, especially addressing social determinants of health (e.g., food
and water access, transportation).
• Mental health and trauma-informed programs.
• Improving life skills, financial literacy, learning and education.
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