The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County (The Foundation) announced that its financial support for students and nonprofit groups has totaled more than $30 million as the organization marks its 20th anniversary in 2018. Combining philanthropic gifts from individuals, families and businesses, the Foundation has awarded more than 950 scholarships and 4,800 grants to nonprofit organizations to date.
Board President Mary Verdin said The Foundation started in 1998 “with donations from a few donors totaling $60,000. That number is now nearly $60 million in charitable assets managed by The Foundation, all fueled by a single vision – to be a permanent source of support focused solely on the nonprofit agencies in our county.” She pointed out that scholarships and grants now exceed $2 million annually and are distributed to every part of San Luis Obispo county. “I can’t drive to any part of the county without coming across students or nonprofit organizations doing work made possible by a community foundation scholarship or grant.”
CEO Heidi McPherson added that, “The Foundation’s work has evolved to include convening forums to educate donors on county needs, supporting local agencies, and coordinating giving among donors to create greater impact.” McPherson noted that grants reflect the diversity of donor interests, including education, the arts, environmental protection, historic preservation, community health, children’s welfare, domestic abuse and homelessness.
Founding Director Warren Sinsheimer commented, “Looking back over the past 20 years, I am deeply gratified by The Foundation’s remarkable growth, and even more by the enormous impact that success has had. I find it truly exciting that The Foundation has earned the trust of the people of San Luis Obispo County so well in just twenty years that nearly $60 million is in place at The Foundation as a permanent resource for philanthropy to be used primarily in San Luis Obispo County. It makes me excited to think what we can achieve in the next 20 years.”
Later this year The Foundation will announce details for a public anniversary event to gather scholarship and grant recipients and recognize their achievements. More information about The Foundation, its work and its 20th Anniversary are at www.cfsloco.org and at The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County Facebook page.
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County is a grantmaking and education foundation supporting charitable work across our county. More information about The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County may be found at www.cfsloco.org. For interview requests or for more information, contact Communications and Program Associate Erin McCall at 805-543-2323 or [email protected].