The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County is a public charity based in an individual recipient Obispo, California, serving the county through charitable funds, grants, and scholarships. Founded in 1998, it describes its role as inspiring philanthropy and serving as a catalyst and connector for community impact.
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo at a glance
In short: The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo gave $5.8M across 94 grants in 2025 (avg $62K), mostly in California. 32% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,792,964
- +96.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 94
- +13.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $61,627
- +73.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $33,750
- Total assets
- $98,850,255
- +14.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (30 of 94, 2025)
- Primary geography
- California (96% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo
- How to Apply
-
The foundation describes its general grantmaking as a competitive process. Applications are submitted through its application process, which requires users to create a new account. Review and decisions for the General Community Grants program involve an external evaluation committee of community experts, volunteers, and staff. Grantees must use funds as described in their award letter; when a contract is required, grantees must submit narrative and financial reports documenting how the funds were spent.
- Contact
Mailing address: 550 Dana Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone: (805) 543-2323
Website: https://cfsloco.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
37 open opportunities from The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo
Alan D. Stephenson Scholarship Grant
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Alfred I., Catharine J., and Eleanor G. Switzer Scholarship Grant
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Bernhard H. Singsen Scholarship Grant
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo
Amount
Up to US $4,450
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was SLO Classical Academy ($274K). Together the top 10 received $2.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($144,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
467 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 368 grants of 467 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation serves an individual recipient Obispo County. In filing year 2025, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 94 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 30 of 94 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $42K; repeat grants $71K. How we count
Medians: $26K first-time, $40K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.7M (2023) to $5.8M (2025). In 2025 it made 94 grants totaling $5.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SLO Classical Academy San Luis Obispo, CA | The grant is restricted to purchasing a new building, remodeling, and equipment nee to establish a new k-8 school slated to open in july 2026. | $273,677 |
| San Luis Obispo Museum of Art San Luis Obispo, CA | Unrestricted | $254,356 |
| Planned Parenthood California Central Coast Santa Barbara, CA | Unrestricted. | $235,000 |
| Transitions-Mental Health Association San Luis Obispo, CA | Unrestricted | $213,535 |
| Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County Inc San Luis Obispo, CA | Unrestricted | $202,330 |
| San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre San Luis Obispo, CA | Restricted to Support the Capital Campaign | $191,500 |
| Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County San Luis Obispo, CA | To support the work described in your recent application to our 2025 rapid response grant program. Funding is restricted to use serving clients in san luis Obispo county. | $187,162 |
| Family Care Network Inc San Luis Obispo, CA | Unrestricted | $180,000 |
| Center for Family Strengthening Atascadero, CA | Unrestricted | $172,200 |
| Mozart Festival Association DBA Festival Mozaic San Luis Obispo, CA | Restricted for the Lindvall Young Artist Program | $170,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation’s 2025 filing states that its spending policy allows distribution of up to 3.75% per year of the preceding 12-quarter trailing average invested in the pool for each fund.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $98,850,255 | $10,616,659 | $8,443,948 | $5,792,964 | 94 | $3,834,059 |
| 2024 | $86,684,506 | $7,787,984 | $5,714,290 | $2,951,234 | 83 | $2,594,597 |
| 2023 | $75,470,661 | $3,221,396 | $5,369,282 | $2,660,177 | 93 | $-241,136 |
| 2022 | $66,389,017 | $8,587,085 | $6,225,053 | $3,900,211 | 94 | $1,361,711 |
| 2021 | $76,668,377 | $16,881,000 | $4,947,132 | $2,945,316 | 103 | $8,902,481 |
| 2020 | $66,243,485 | $2,777,401 | $5,874,901 | $3,632,601 | 267 | $425,415 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is “to inspire philanthropy and serve as a catalyst and connector for community impact.” Its 2025 filing describes a focus on arts and culture, education, health, human services, scholarships, the environment, and community enhancement.
Examples of supported organizations include the an individual recipient Obispo Museum of Art, whose mission is to enrich the community through art; Transitions-Mental Health Association, which describes its work as promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illness; and the Food Bank Coalition of an individual recipient Obispo, which procures and distributes food to agencies serving people in need. Other 2025 grantees include organizations working in education, family services, poverty alleviation, reproductive health, and theatre.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 94 grants totaling $5,792,964. Grant amounts ranged from $5,285 to $273,677, with a median of $33,750. The largest awards included $273,677 to SLO Classical Academy for a new school building, remodeling, and equipment; $254,356 to the an individual recipient Obispo Museum of Art, unrestricted; and $235,000 to Planned Parenthood California Central Coast, unrestricted. Other large grants included $213,535 to Transitions-Mental Health Association, $202,330 to Community Action Partnership of an individual recipient Obispo County, and $191,500 to an individual recipient Obispo Repertory Theatre for its capital campaign.
The foundation’s general grant program includes Community Needs, Community Focus, Community Strength, and BUILD opportunities. Its website describes Community Needs grants in arts and culture, capacity building, the environment, health, and human services. Community Focus grants connect donor and field-of-interest funds with local needs, including programs for women and girls, LGBTQ communities, youth, and youth sports. BUILD grants support capacity building for agencies with annual operating budgets below $300,000 and are offered twice a year for general operations or specified capacity-building projects.
The website’s 2026 General Community Grants opportunity offered flexible general operating grants of up to $20,000 for one year or $40,000 for two years, with $140,000 available in each of four priority areas. The stated application period, June 1–29, 2026, has passed; awards were scheduled to be determined September 2, 2026. The foundation also offers scholarships for students pursuing varied educational paths, including community college, university, vocational, and trade programs.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Kath Tompkins as president, Rick Williams as vice president, Anita Robinson as treasurer, and Pat Hosegood Martin as secretary. Directors listed are Jeff Buckingham, Juliette Duke, Gwen Erskine, Grenda Ernst, Suzanne Fritz, and Rob Garcia. Gwen Erskine is also listed as president of REF.
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo is led by Heidi McPherson, CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 18 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Heidi McPherson
CEO
Chief Executive Officer → CEO, 2025
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$160K (2020) → $28K (2025)
Christine Dawson
Chief Executive Officer
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$141K (2025)
Gwen Erskine
President of Ref & Director
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kath Tompkins
President
Secretary → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Grenda Ernst
Director
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Buckingham
Director
President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda Somers Smith
Director
Director → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne Fritz
Director
Vice President → President, 2022
President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anneka Scranton
Director
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rob Garcia
Director
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shelly Higginbotham
Director
On filings since 2024
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Sherman
Director
On filings since 2024
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Juliette Duke
Director
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wayne Lewis
Director
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Jones
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$66K (2023) → $179K (2025)
Anita Robinson
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pat Hosegood Martin
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rick Williams
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Ben McAdams (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Patricia Hammond (2020–2022) — Director of Finance
- Former: Sandy Dunn (2020–2022) — Vice President
- Former: Jim Brabeck (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Mary Verdin (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Charles Matthews (2021) — Director
- Former: Joan Parker (2020) — Director
- Former: Steve McCarty (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $179K, to Michael Jones (Chief Financial Officer). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo
How much does The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo give each year?
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo gave $5.8M across 94 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.0M across 83 grants.
What is The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo's typical grant size?
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo's median grant in 2025 was $33,750, and its average grant was $61,627, across 94 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo that year got $42K on average.
Where does The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo give grants?
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo gives mostly in California: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were San Luis Obispo, CA (47 grants), Santa Maria, CA (5 grants), Atascadero, CA (4 grants) and Santa Barbara, CA (4 grants).
Does The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo give general operating support?
Yes: 61% of The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (57 of 94) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "For Senior Dance Activities" (4 grants).
Who are The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo's largest grantees?
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo's largest 2025 grantees include SLO Classical Academy ($273,677), San Luis Obispo Museum of Art ($254,356) and Planned Parenthood California Central Coast ($235,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($144,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo?
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo reported $98.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $10.6M.
What does The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is “to inspire philanthropy and serve as a catalyst and connector for community impact.” Its 2025 filing describes a focus on arts and culture, education, health, human services, scholarships, the environment, and community enhancement. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo?
The foundation describes its general grantmaking as a competitive process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo's EIN?
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0496500. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 5, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 9, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 9, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-community-foundation-san-luis-obispo-morg_6f893e977cce4dbe841f2c41fa0b73c7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_770496500_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-community-foundation-san-luis-obispo-morg_6f893e977cce4dbe841f2c41fa0b73c7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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