The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County is seeking applications for the Opportunity To Thrive Initiative to support individuals striving for self-sufficiency and who are in need of transitional assistance to overcome a short-term or one-time barrier.
Donor Name: The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County
State: California
County: San Luis Obispo County (CA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/01/2023
Size of the Grant: $5,000
Details:
Through a testamentary gift, former Mayor of the City of San Luis Obispo, Ron Dunin, and his wife Helen established an endowment to help people who are attempting to help themselves. As immigrants, the Dunins were fortunate to receive help and support during critical times in their lives. Their goal by creating the fund was to give back to the community and assist San Luis Obispo county residents in need.
Of particular interest are individuals who are in transition, e.g. foster youth exiting the system, women leaving domestic violence shelters, families at risk of homelessness, individuals completing rehabilitation, re-entry into the workforce. One-year grants will be provided to local human service providers who currently work with populations striving for self-sufficiency and have the capacity to assess and administer an assistance fund.
Funding Criteria
- Organizations with regular/ongoing contact with target populations as part of usual program work, ideally in a “case management” relationship
- Demonstrated ability to administer and monitor a hardship assistance fund
- Ability of organization to maximize amount of grant to be used in direct assistance (low indirect administration rate), and complement, not supplant, existing services
- Organization is able to leverage existing infrastructure and capacity to administer the program
It is the intent of the Foundation that the Opportunity to Thrive fund be used as follows:
Funding Priorities
- One-time assistance that will make a big difference in removing a barrier or hurdle to self-sufficiency, targeted to individuals who have demonstrated their attempt to help themselves
- One-time assistance provided for “a leg up,” rather than short-term impact or ongoing needs
- Assistance for as many individuals/families as possible while providing sufficient support to overcome the barrier
- Assistance which fills a gap in the support network and does not supplant other existing funding
Examples of transitional assistance include: security deposit for rental unit, uniform purchase or job appropriate apparel, transportation assistance, car repair, used car purchase, tuition, training fees or materials, equipment or tools, legal consultation, assistive device for recently disabled individuals, prescription medication, credit counseling, tattoo removal, preventing utility shutoff. Funds are not intended for ongoing living expenses such as food or housing. The amount of assistance to any one individual or family is not capped, but the intent is to serve as many as possible through the fund.
Funding Information
The maximum grant award will be $5,000.
Eligible Activities
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County supports charitable organizations whose programs primarily benefit San Luis Obispo County residents. An organization must have a current tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service under Section 501(c)(3) and/or 509(a)1 or a current memorandum of understanding outlining fiscal sponsorship partnership to apply. All grant proposals will be reviewed and all applying agencies will be notified within the outlined timeline.
Exclusions
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County does not make grants to/for:
- Individuals
- Organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, race or religion
- Fraternal Organizations, unless in support of a specific program open to or benefiting the entire community
- Governmental Organizations
- Indirect Administrative costs greater than 15% of the awarded funds (indirect administrative funds are defined as office supplies and do not include staff time)
- Fundraising events such as annual campaigns, walk-a-thons, tournaments, fashion shows, auctions or dinners
- Organizations with religious affiliations unless the program is open to the entire community without regard to religious beliefs
- Organizations and programs designed to elect candidates to public office
- Organizations located outside San Luis Obispo County unless for a specific program benefiting residents of-and conducted within-San Luis Obispo County
- Pay off past debts or existing obligations
- Endowment funds
- Scholarships, fellowships, travel grants and technical or specialized research
For more information, visit Opportunity Fund.
