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The Community Foundation has released its Fall 2019 Grant Program. The online application and additional information can be found by following this link.

Available funding focuses on the following areas:

Capacity Building: The primary goal of the BUILD (building unity, infrastructure, leadership, and development) grant program is to provide funding for agencies with an annual operating budget of $500,000 and below. The Foundation aims to strengthen nonprofit organizations with smaller operating budgets by supporting their efforts in building capacity and improving infrastructure. Please follow this link to access the application along with additional information about the grant program. The deadline to submit proposals for this grant program is Friday, September 27, at 5:00pm. The maximum grant awards will be $5,000. The grant period is January 2020 through December 2020.

Health and Youth Health and Wellness: There are two components to this grant program.

1. The first component is focused on supporting health programs serving adults over the age of 18. The primary goal is to provide funding for agencies and programs that directly address community health needs gathered through local needs assessments and specifically improving the quality of life through preventive health and overcoming barriers to physical health and mental health care.  The maximum grant award in this concentration is $5,000. Awarded projects will be funded January 2020 through December 2020.
2. The second component of the program is focused on Youth Health & Wellness, serving youth 0-18 years of age with specific concentration on mental health, oral health, health education, and substance abuse. The Foundation will consider proposals that address the above-mentioned community needs with a focus on direct services. The maximum grant award in this concentration is $15,000. Awarded projects will be funded January 2020 through December 2020.

Please follow this link to access the application along with additional information about the grant program.  The deadline to submit proposals for this grant program is Friday, October 4, at 5:00pm.

If you have any questions, please contact Grants Manager Len Smolburd at len@cfsloco.org or 805-543-2323.

The 17th annual Women’s Legacy Fund Luncheon will be held at noon on Thursday, September 26, 2019. Each year approximately 700 community members come together to celebrate the impact of the Women’s Legacy Fund grant-making and learn about the challenging issues that the women and girls of our community are facing each day. Our keynote speaker this year will be inspirational speaker Tuti Scott who has been educating and energizing social change leaders for more than 25 years.

Listen to Tuti share six stories with themes tied to being an advocate for women and girls including how to reflect, advocate, convene, invest, influence, and recognize discrimination against women and girls. You’ll come away from this luncheon understanding the power and active role you can play in supporting and empowering women and girls in San Luis Obispo County and beyond. Tickets for the luncheon may be purchased online at https://wlfslo2019.bpt.me For more information about the Women’s Legacy Fund click here.

This is an important educational and networking opportunity on Friday, October 25, 2019 for local professional advisors to keep abreast of topics related to the fields of philanthropy and community leadership. Each year, this event brings together more than 150 attendees at which keynote speakers share their experiences in the fields of both finance and charitable giving. For information about sponsorship opportunities click here. To purchase luncheon tickets online after Monday, September 16 click here.

The Isabel P. Ruiz Humanitarian Award, held at The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, has announced this year’s recipient: Becky Jorgenson, founder of Hope’s Village of SLO and homeless services advocate.

Becky Jorgenson, longtime San Luis Obispo County resident, founded Hope’s Village of SLO a 501(c)(3) that provides housing for the homeless. Hope’s Village of SLO focuses on promoting community through using cost-effective tiny homes built by volunteers and future Hope’s Village residents.
After the success of Hope’s Village of SLO, Jorgenson went on to establish the Showers of Hope program and the RVs for Veterans program. To date, 85 RVs have been given to local homeless veterans.

The Isabel P. Ruiz Humanitarian Award annually recognizes an individual for outstanding efforts in advocating for underrepresented people in San Luis Obispo County. This award is designated to honor the individual’s dedication to the San Luis Obispo community as exhibited by the late Dr. Isabel P. Ruiz.

Dr. Ruiz immigrated to the United States from Peru in 1973 and worked as an OB/GYN medical doctor. Throughout her career, she advocated for healthcare affordability and accessibility. Dr. Ruiz was a strong role model for both the Latino community and women.

“We are proud to honor Becky Jorgenson as the 2019 Isabel P. Ruiz Humanitarian award recipient,” said Heidi McPherson, CEO of The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County. “Ms. Jorgenson is an advocate for the homeless population and her unrelenting efforts help to strengthen our community.