CFSLOCO Community Grant Program

The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County (CFSLOCO) offers the Community Grant Program, a competitive funding initiative designed to support local nonprofit organizations operating within San Luis Obispo County, California. CFSLOCO is committed to strengthening the wellbeing of communities in the region by supporting initiatives that promote equity, cultural expression, health, environmental preservation, and inclusion. This program awards general operating grants for a two-year period, enabling local nonprofits to sustain and expand their operations in alignment with specific issue areas. The grants support work in four primary focus areas: Arts & Culture, Environment, Health & Human Services, and Seniors & People with Disabilities. Applicants may request between $20,000 to $40,000 over two years, translating to $10,000 to $20,000 per year. The funding is intended for general operating support, offering grantees flexibility in how funds are utilized, provided their initiatives align with the goals of the specific issue area they apply under. For instance, Arts & Culture projects must demonstrate promotion of cultural expression and youth participation in the arts, while Environment applications should reflect efforts in land preservation and public education about environmental concerns. To be eligible, applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving residents of San Luis Obispo County. Programs must center the voices and perspectives of the communities they serve, demonstrate a commitment to addressing systemic disparities, and use credible data to inform strategy and programming. Applications are reviewed by an external evaluation committee composed of community experts, volunteers, and staff, who evaluate submissions based on alignment with both general and issue-specific criteria. The application window for the 2025 cycle is currently open and will close on August 1, 2025. Funding decisions are expected to be communicated by early October 2025. The foundation has not specified any pre-application deadlines or letter of intent requirements, nor has it indicated whether the grant is recurring. However, organizations with questions regarding eligibility, program fit, or technical aspects of the application process are encouraged to reach out to the appropriate contacts. For general questions about eligibility or the Community Grant Program, applicants may contact the Grants & Programs Department at grants@cfsloco.org. For application-specific inquiries, contact Michelle Fries at michelle@cfsloco.org. For issues related to the application portal, technical assistance is available through Emily Narveson at emilyn@cfsloco.org. Inquiries about the Field of Interest Grant Program should be directed to Alysia Krupsky at alysia@cfsloco.org. Overall, this opportunity provides a flexible funding stream for nonprofit organizations actively working to serve vulnerable populations in San Luis Obispo County. With a well-defined focus and clearly outlined evaluation criteria, the Community Grant Program is designed to uplift efforts that promote equity, sustainability, cultural enrichment, and the wellbeing of underserved communities.