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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Lucia Mar Unified School District ($26,079), South County Youth Coalition ($25,500), 5cities Homeless Coalition ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FRIENDS OF CAMP NATOMA INC SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA | YOUTH CAMPERSHIPS | $6,000 |
| NOVY'S ARK ATASCADERO, CA | UNRESTRICTED IN HONOR OF HELEN FOSTER NOVY | $6,000 |
| STUDIOS ON THE PARK PASO ROBLES, CA | TO SUPPORT THE KID'S SMART PROGRAM | $6,000 |
| BIKE SLO COUNTY SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA | BICYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTS OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY | $6,074 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA | UNRESTRICTED | $7,500 |
| INFINITE MUSIC FOUNDATION MORRO BAY, CA | UNRESTRICTED | $7,500 |
| GROVER BEACH COMMUNITY LIBRARY GROVER BEACH, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT OF YOUR ORGANIZATION | $7,856 |
| WILSHIRE HEALTH & COMMUNITY SERVICES INC SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT OF YOUR ORGANIZATION | $7,879 |
| MORRO BAY SENIOR CITIZENS INC DBA MORRO BAY ACTIVE ADULTS MORRO BAY, CA | TUNES AT TIDELANDS | $8,250 |
| BRIDGE TO TURKIYE FUND CHAPEL HILL, NC | RESTRICTED TO CONTINUE EDUCATION IN SUPPORT OF MEHMET CELIKEL LISESI VAKFI HIGH SCHOOL ON BEHALF OF S. SAMI SOLU, MD CHARITABLE FUND | $8,395 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo fund?
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 Enh…
How do I apply for a grant from The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo?
The foundation administers multiple grant programs with varying timelines and focus areas: **2026 Grant Timeline:** • **One Community Fund: Fueling a Vibrant Immigrant Future** (Opens March 6 – April 1) • Funding for immigrant-serving 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored organizations working in San Luis Obispo County • Award range: Up to $100,000 with minimum grants of $10,000 • Provides flexible, general operating funds to support organizations facing unprecedented need • **Women's L…
Where does The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo make grants?
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County serves the entire County of San Luis Obispo, California.
What size grants does The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo award?
In 2024, The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo awarded 83 grants totaling $3.0M — an average of about $36K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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 2020–2024.
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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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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