The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County (SLOCCF) is a 501(c)(3) community foundation established in 1998, based in San Luis Obispo, California. The organization provides philanthropic leadership and encourages charitable giving to address issues that improve and enhance lives throughout the county. With 19 employees, the foundation serves as a vehicle for donors to direct their charitable contributions while supporting a wide range of initiatives, projects, and organizations across the region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$86.7M
+14.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.0M
+10.9% YoY
Grant Count
83
-10.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$36K
+24.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County provides leadership and encourages charitable giving for the issues that improve and enhance lives in the county. The foundation promotes philanthropy that strengthens civic life across the San Luis Obispo County region in response to the ever-changing demographics and needs of communities.
The foundation focuses its grantmaking on eight core areas:
- Arts & Culture
- Education
- Health
- Human Services
- Scholarships
- Environment
- Community Enhancement
- Flexible category for donors with diverse charitable interests
Grantmaking
The foundation administers multiple grant programs with varying timelines and focus areas:
How to Apply
The foundation has moved its application process to a new online platform requiring all users to create new accounts.
Ready to take the next step with The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County serves the entire County of San Luis Obispo, California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Revenue: $7.79 million
- Total Expenses: $5.71 million
- Total Assets: $86.7 million
- Total Liabilities: $5.43 million
As of 2023:
- Total Revenue: $3,221,396
- Total Expenses: $5,369,282
- Total Assets: $75,470,661
The foundation operates a donor-advised fund through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $86,684,506 | $75,470,661 | $66,389,017 |
| Revenue | $7,787,984 | $3,221,396 | $8,587,085 |
| Expenses | $5,714,290 | $5,369,282 | $6,225,053 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,594,597 | $-241,136 | $1,361,711 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
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
Rolling / Open
Alfred I., Catharine J., and Eleanor G. Switzer Scholarship Grant
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SAN LUIS OBISPO
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Bernhard H. Singsen Scholarship Grant
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SAN LUIS OBISPO
Amount
Up to US $4,450
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATH TOMPKINS | PRESIDENT | 4 | — |
| RICK WILLIAMS | VICE PRESIDENT | 4 | — |
| ANITA ROBINSON | TREASURER | 4 | — |
| PAT HOSEGOOD MARTIN | SECRETAR | 4 | — |
| JEFF BUCKINGHAM | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| GWEN ERSKINE | PRESIDENT OF REF, DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| GRENDA ERNST | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| SUZANNE FRITZ | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| ROB GARCIA | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| SHELLY HIGGINBOTHAM | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| BEN MCADAMS | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| ANNEKA SCRANTON | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| TOM SHERMAN | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| LINDA SOMERS SMITH | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| HEIDI MCPHERSON | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 50 | $224,744 |
| MICHAEL JONES | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 50 | $162,294 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County announced $2.26 million in grants to stabilize nonprofits. The foundation also scaled its Critical Response Fund with a $1.2 million county investment. Over $120,000 was awarded to local nonprofits through various funds held at the foundation. Five nonprofits received Arts & Culture grants in recent grant cycles.
Member News | The Community Foundation SLO County ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo on Grantable?
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