On Thursday, September 17th, the City of San Luis Obispo announced a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to provide up to $120,000 in financial support to non-profit organizations for programming that advances diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in the community. The program is part of the City’s efforts to help make San Luis Obispo an inclusive and safe community.
The purpose of the funding is to uplift and support local programs and/or projects that contribute to creating a San Luis Obispo that is welcoming, inclusive, equitable, and safe. The City seeks to support organizations and projects that will achieve demonstrable success and contribute to the pursuit of systemic change.
The funding is focused on narrowing equity gaps that have disproportionately impacted marginalized communities. These gaps include but are not limited to:
- Physical and mental health services
- Education
- Housing
- Criminalization
- Food security
- Community representation
Funding can be used for new and/or existing projects and services that improve justice, diversity, equity, and/or inclusion in San Luis Obispo. Interested parties are encouraged to read more about the program, examples of funding uses and the application at www.slocity.org/DEI-NOFA. The application deadline is October 22, 2020, and must be received by 5:00 p.m. For any questions regarding the application, please email the City at DEI@slocity.org.
The City’s recently appointed DE&I Task Force will review the applications and make recommendations for funding to the City Council on November 17, 2020. The City anticipates the funds to be awarded by January 2021.
The NOFA and Task Force is in addition to other actions taken by the City on diversity, equity, and inclusion, including the City Council’s statement on protests and policing, and adopting a resolution recommending public health officials declare racism a public health emergency.
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