The City of San Luis Obispo will award 23 nonprofit organizations with grant funding to promote arts and cultural events and activities to the community this fiscal year.   

The City awarded a total of $100,000 in funding via a competitive annual Cultural Arts & Community Promotions (CACP) Grant Program through the City’s Promotional Coordinating Committee. The City recognizes the significant contribution that arts and humanities have on the quality of life in San Luis Obispo and is dedicated to uplifting these organizations’ offerings. 

The City received 27 applications requesting nearly $207,000 in grant funding this year, more than double the available funding. In April, a subcommittee of the Promotional Coordinating Committee reviewed the applications and narrowed a list of organizations to be recommended. Then in May, the PCC held a public hearing and approved the funding recommendations, which were subsequently passed on to Council. City Council unanimously approved the grant funding as recommended on July 15, 2025.

Below is a list of the organizations that applied for and will be awarded grant funding in fiscal year 2025-26:  

• Cal Poly Corporation, Cal Poly Arts 2025-2026 Dance Series
• Canzona Women's Ensemble, Heart Strings
• Central Coast Childbirth Network, Central Coast Childbirth Network Expo
• Central Coast Comedy Theater, SLO One-Day Improv Festival
• City Farm SLO, 5th Annual Sheep Shearing Shindig
• Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo, The Wonderful Wizard of OZ
• Diversity Coalition San Luis Obispo County, 3rd Annual Women of Color Symposium
• Downtown SLO, Concerts in the Plaza
• ECOSLO , Creeks to Coast Cleanup
• History Center of San Luis Obispo County, Family Day at the Dallidet
• History Revisited, 39th Annual Central Coast Renaissance Festival
• Hospice of San Luis County, Light Up a Life
• Latino Outreach Council, Dia De Los Muertos
• Orchestra Novo, Silent Movie with Live Orchestra
• Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, San Luis Obispo Greek Festival
• San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, SLO International Film Festival
• SLO Master Chorale, 2025/26 Season
• SLO Repertory Theatre, Million Dollar Quartet
• SLO County Arts Council, Art After Dark
• SLO Beaver Brigade, 4th Annual SLO County Beaver Festival
• SLO Climate Coalition, SLO Earth Fest
• SLO Museum of Art, 2025/26 admission-free exhibitions and public programs
• SLO Overdose Awareness Day, SLO Overdose Awareness Day

About the City’s Promotional Coordinating Committee
The City of San Luis Obispo’s Promotional Coordinating Committee (PCC) is a seven-member advisory body to the City Council. The committee advises the Council and City staff on ways to improve the quality of life for all City residents and visitors, recommends the allocation of grant funding to support the promotion of local cultural groups and activities, and recommends projects that help promote the City as a regional trade, recreation, and tourist center consistent with community goals. The PCC also works collaboratively with the City’s Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) to ensure a unique San Luis Obispo experience for residents and visitors.

To receive updates from the City, please register for e-notifications on the City’s website at www.slocity.org/subscribe or follow the City of San Luis Obispo on social media.  

For details and eligibility requirements, visit www.slocity.org/CACP. For other grant funding opportunities offered by the City, visit www.slocity.org/grants.

Additional questions can be emailed to the City’s Tourism & Community Promotions Manager, Jacqui Clark-Charlesworth at jclark@slocity.org.