The City of SLO is offering up to $150,000 in grant funding opportunities to San Luis Obispo-based businesses that seek to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) services or practices in San Luis Obispo.
Donor Name: City of San Luis Obispo
State: California
City: San Luis Obispo
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/31/2023
Size of the Grant: $150,000
Details:
The City’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is partnering with the Office of Economic Development and Tourism to provide financial support to local businesses while also promoting the economic and social well-being of the community through programs that support diversity, create equity, and foster inclusion.
This program is a part of the both the DEI and Economic Recovery, Resiliency and Fiscal Responsibility Major City Goals with the goal of making San Luis Obispo a more welcoming and inclusive place for all community members.
You DO NOT have to be an underserved/underrepresented business owner to apply for the grant, but the specific proposal must be geared towards expanding services or access, but not exclusive to, those who are underserved or underrepresented. Traditionally underserved or underrepresented groups include, but are not limited to Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), Women-, LGBTQIA+, and diverse-abled, among others.
Funding Criteria
- Applicants must be a business based in the City of San Luis Obispo with a current business license and be in good standing; or if the application is for a new business, the applicant must complete 5 hours of one-on-one SBDC consulting services and secure a business license prior to receiving the grant funds.
- Funding requests must be for activities, services, or other concepts that primarily occur in the City.
- Funding requests must be focused on serving underserved/underrepresented communities, however, all activities, services and other concepts must be accessible to all people.
- Requests must be for activities, services, or other concepts with the ability to show measurable impact and/or successes.
- Viability and sustainability are also key indicators in final review and recommendation to the City Council for grant awards.
Examples of Possible Funding Requests:
- To translate and print new menus to enhance accessibility and/or provide multilingual options
- For an esthetician to expand skincare techniques for diverse clientele
- For an additional hair stylist (or training) who specializes in diverse hair textures and protective hairstyles (e.g., braids, locks, twists)
- To Expand menu options for diverse cultural cuisine at an existing restaurant
- To start a new business that meets the needs of underserved/underrepresented within the community (would require the completion of the 5-hour Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) consulting program).
- To develop social media campaigns or printed materials and signage to advertise your business in other languages, such as Spanish, that best serve your clientele.
For more information, visit City of San Luis Obispo.
