Author: Community Foundation

SLOAFA Virtual Mixer Part of Nationwide Campaign

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – SLO Access for All, a field of interest fund at The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, is joining the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy in recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of NDEAM is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is “Advancing Access and Equity.”

SLO Access for All will host a virtual mixer to discuss NDEAM and employment access and equity in San Luis Obispo County Monday, October 30, at 5 p.m. The Zoom link can be acquired through registering at Meeting Registration – Zoom or by reaching out to SLO AFA via Facebook or The Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County. Employers are encouraged to attend to gain a better understanding of the current landscape for workers with disabilities in San Luis Obispo County, and how their business can support advancing access and equity as well as learn about resources offered through the California Department of Rehabilitation.

The history of NDEAM traces back to 1945, when it started as a week-long acknowledgement and focused only on people with physical disabilities. Later, it expanded to the full month of October, and its name and scope evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing the workforce inclusion of people with all nature of disabilities. 

“Our communities and economy are strengthened by the inclusion of all people, including people with disabilities,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Taryn M. Williams. “Their contributions have historically been vital to our nation’s success and are more important today than ever. We must build an accessible, equitable economy that fully includes the talent and drive of those with disabilities.”

In 2023 NDEAM honors the 50th anniversary of passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the first federal legislation to address access and equity for people with disabilities, and a precursor to the more comprehensive Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. 

“SLO Access for All is proud to be a part of this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Sarah Flickinger, Co-chair of the SLO AFA Fund Committee. “We want to spread awareness, start conversations and encourage increased access, equity and belonging for all employees in San Luis Obispo County.”

The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), the nation’s largest vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs administrator, is also celebrating NDEAM this month. DOR offers EmployABILITY grants, human resources training, and collateral and additional resources through its Demand Side Employment Initiative.

“We would love to introduce more local employers to some of the programs that are available to support increased access to employment for people with disabilities,” said Flickinger. “That’s why we’re offering a virtual mixer with space for all who want to join the conversation.” SLO AFA virtual mixers include live captioning as well as phone access. Additional accommodations can be requested by contacting The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo.

Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its messages – during October and throughout the year – by visiting http://dol.gov/NDEAM. More information about California DOR programs for NDEAM can be found www.dor.ca.gov/Home/ndeam2023#. 

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SLO Access for All is a field of interest fund at The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, working and advocating for an accessible, diverse and welcoming community that values disability as diversity and encourages the full participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of SLO County life. This year the Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County is celebrating 25 years of making a difference through philanthropy leadership.

The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2023, is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created by and for the people of San Luis Obispo County to provide local charitable giving. Since 1998, The Community Foundation has awarded more than $66 million in grants and scholarships to nonprofit partners and local students. The Foundation’s charitable assets under management have grown to over $70 million to provide support to all areas of our community in perpetuity.  Learn more at https://cfsloco.tmdcreative.site/.

October 18, 2023

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. – Organizations across San Luis Obispo County have been awarded grants totaling over $400,000 from The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County (CFSLOCO). CFSLOCO’s Board of Directors approved the distribution of 42 grants supporting agencies and individuals making a positive impact in the areas of arts, the environment, human services, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

This year, CFSLOCO extends its support to 14 new organizations that haven’t received competitive grants in the past three years, in addition to continuing its support for many returning nonprofit applicants.

“The goal of the General Grants Program has always been to provide funding for agencies that directly address community needs,” said Heidi McPherson, CEO of The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County. “We are thrilled to announce this grant cycle and extend our gratitude to these remarkable organizations for their dedication to our community.”

The grant awards are designed to provide a sense of financial stability to nonprofit organizations, with more than 78% of the unrestricted grants supporting nonprofits for the next two years. The average award amount totals over $19,000, ensuring that organizations have the resources they need to continue their vital work. 

“We are always grateful to be a recipient of this award, it makes such a difference in our clients’ lives when we get to say ‘Yes!’ to requests that would typically go unfunded,” says Devon McQuade, Associate Director of 5Cities Homeless Coalition, one of this year’s grant recipients. “We so appreciate the Foundation’s continued support.”

The following grantees have been awarded in this year’s General Grants Cycle*:

1. AmpSurf (Association of Amputee Surfers)
2. NatureTrack Foundation
3. Foundation for the Performing Arts
4. Opera SLO
5. Paso Robles Youth Arts Center
6. Cambria Center for the Arts
7. City Farm SLO
8. Diversity Coalition of San Luis Obispo County
9. Environmental Center of SLO
10. FirstFruits Farm
11. Gala Pride and Diversity Center
12. Morro Bay Art Association
13. Senior Volunteer Services
14. SLO Wind Orchestra, Inc.
15. Central Coast State Parks Association
16. Ecologistics (Five Cities Repair Café and Home Front Environmental Justice, Morro Bay)
17. Planned Parenthood California Central Coast
18. Atascadero Loaves & Fishes
19. Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County
20. Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County
21. Community Counseling Center of San Luis Obispo County
22. Monterey College of Law
23. 5Cities Homeless Coalition
24. Child Development Resource Center of San Luis Obispo County
25. El Camino Homeless Organization
26. Lumina Alliance
27. Peoples’ Self-Help Housing
28. Restorative Partners
29. SLO County UndocuSupport
30. South County Youth Coalition
31. Mr. Carlos Giovanni Ortega
32. Jewish Community Center San Luis Obispo
33. Long Term Care Ombudsman Services
34. Basin Street Regulars – Central Coast Hot Jazz Society
35. Morro Bay Senior Citizens, Inc
36. Santa Margarita Area Seniors Citizens Club
37. Santa Maria Valley Senior Citizen’s Club
38. SLO Jazz Festival

*A total of 42 grants were awarded to 38 organizations and one individual. 

“We are humbled and oh so grateful for the support and encouragement of our Repair Café initiatives here in SLO County,” says Linda Busek, Co-Founder and Chief Evangelist of the Five Cities Repair Café, which recently launched the new Poly Repair Café at the Bonderson Engineering Complex at Cal Poly.

“We are deeply grateful and honored by this two-year financial commitment,” says James Statler, Executive Director of Community Counseling Center. “The timing couldn’t be more perfect, as our Student Mental Wellness Programs are in full swing, now reaching more sites than ever in collaboration with San Luis Coastal and Lucia Mar.”

For a detailed list of grantees, click HERE.  For further questions about grants from CFSLOCO, please contact Anna BoydBucy at anna@cfsloco.org.

In celebration of our 25th anniversary, we embarked on a journey at the start of 2023 to make a lasting impact on our beloved community. To honor this milestone, we decided to give back in a meaningful way, allocating $100,000 to support local nonprofits dedicated to the causes close to the hearts of SLO County residents.

From June to September, we proudly granted $5,000 each to fifteen remarkable organizations tirelessly working to enhance the well-being of our entire community. As we prepare to conclude our anniversary celebrations in the months ahead, we are thrilled to introduce the final five grantees who have received a $5,000 gift from our $100,000 fund:

1. 5 Cities Homeless Coalition: Committed to addressing homelessness in our region, 5CHC provides the resources, support, and hope that families and individuals need to become self-sufficient, productive community members.
2. Basin Street Regulars: A champion of the arts dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional jazz by providing a place where jazz musicians can play.
3. Diversity Coalition San Luis Obispo County: Seeks a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community through advocacy and education.
4. Shower the People: This compassionate initiative provides hygiene services to individuals experiencing homelessness, restoring dignity and hope.
5. South County Youth Coalition: Focused on empowering our youth, this coalition offers vital programs and resources to help young people thrive in our community.

In total, we have awarded $100,000 to twenty outstanding nonprofit organizations across San Luis Obispo County:

1. Boys and Girls Club of the Mid-Central Coast
2. Lumina Alliance
3. Promotores Collaborative
4. The Link
5. Paso Robles Youth Arts Center
6. City Farm SLO 
7. SLO Food Bank 
8. SLO Repertory Theatre 
9. SLO Children’s Museum 
10. SLO YMCA 
11. Community Foundation of Estero Bay
12. Friends of the Elephant Seals
13. Los Osos Cares
14. Meals that Connect
15. Pacific Wildlife Center
16. 5 Cities Homeless Coalition
17. Basin Street Regulars
18. Diversity Coalition San Luis Obispo County
19. Shower the People
20. South County Youth Coalition

The impact these organizations have on our community is immeasurable, and we couldn’t be prouder to support their work. While we wish we could have provided grants to all the deserving nonprofits in our county, we are confident that our ongoing commitment and services will continue to bolster the diverse array of organizations that tirelessly serve our community

With our mission to support nonprofits in our community, we invite you to consider making a donation to The Community Foundation. Your contribution will go a long way in helping us continue this vital work for the next 25 years, ensuring a brighter future for San Luis Obispo County. 

Make a donation to The Community Foundation at https://cfsloco.tmdcreative.site/give-now/