Women’s Legacy Fund

The Women’s Legacy Fund, administered by The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, is a philanthropic initiative focused on improving the lives of women and girls in San Luis Obispo County, California. Through strategic grantmaking, the fund acts as a catalyst for local organizations working to address systemic and immediate challenges impacting women and girls in the region. The program prioritizes key issue areas including affordable housing, childcare, healthcare access (including mental health), and economic security. Its mission is rooted in creating meaningful, lasting change by supporting initiatives that elevate the status, health, and opportunities available to women and girls. For the 2026 grant cycle, the fund will consider proposals from nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) and/or 509(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, or those that operate under a current memorandum of understanding outlining a fiscal sponsorship arrangement. All applicants must demonstrate that their services are focused on and primarily benefit women and girls residing in San Luis Obispo County. Programs that fall outside this geographic focus will not be considered for funding. The fund welcomes both one-year and two-year proposals, providing flexibility to support short-term impact projects or longer-term initiatives involving planning, hiring, or gradual implementation. Approximately 3–6 grants will be awarded during the 2026 funding cycle. One-year grants may request up to $20,000, while two-year grants may request up to $40,000 total. Applicants are expected to indicate whether their proposal fits within one of the fund’s priority areas: affordable housing, childcare, healthcare, or economic security. Proposals must align with one or more of these themes and clearly articulate the specific challenges being addressed and the proposed solutions. Applications will be evaluated against several key criteria. These include how well the program centers the voices of women and girls, particularly through mechanisms for incorporating their feedback into program design and evaluation. Applicants must also describe how they identify and work to remove barriers faced by women and girls, provide relevant data or research that guides their work, and demonstrate alignment with the fund’s stated priority areas. The use of the "What Do Women Need?" report or similar data sources is encouraged as part of the proposal rationale. The grant application portal opens on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 9:00 AM and closes on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Applicants will be notified of award decisions by June 15, 2026, and grant payments will be processed shortly thereafter. Office hours are available with Program Officer Alysia Krupsky, who may be contacted at [email protected]. Office hour scheduling is provided via the foundation’s Outlook calendar booking link. All applications must be submitted through the Community Foundation’s online application portal. Given that this is a recurring opportunity, eligible organizations are encouraged to track the Women’s Legacy Fund annually and prepare for future cycles accordingly. The fund provides an important funding stream for community-based initiatives that seek to promote gender equity and long-term improvements in the well-being of women and girls in San Luis Obispo County.