Women’s Legacy Fund
San Luis Obispo County
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Our mission is to be a catalyst for philanthropy that improves the lives of women & girls in
San Luis Obispo County
Established by the Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County Board of Directors in 2003, this fund is the only endowment in the County which targets the needs of women and girls. Based on compelling data both nationwide and in California, the need for a fund in San Luis Obispo County focusing on the needs of women is greater than ever.
Grants from the fund support organizations that assist women and girls to strengthen their physical, emotional, intellectual, and financial well-being. Each year the Women’s Legacy Fund Advisory Committee identifies a focus for grant-making in the areas of economic independence, basic needs, safety, reproductive health, education, and mental health.
$874,000
lifetime of grants awarded
$70,000
total granted this year
38
grant recipients
412
legacy leaders
Who We Help
For many people, San Luis Obispo County offers an idyllic quality of life. However, even in this idyllic place, some women and girls do not have their basic needs met. Although the needs of local women and girls will change, the importance of addressing those needs remains constant.
Our goal is see to it that every woman and girl in San Luis Obispo County has the opportunity to thrive. Based on the “What Women Need Report” produced, we increase public awareness and make informed decisions about annual grants to meet the needs of women and girls.
This Year’s Women’s Legacy Fund Grants
This year, thanks to our donors and members, WLF awarded nearly $70,000 in grants to four programs meeting the most urgent needs identified in our What Do Women Need Report: housing, healthcare, childcare, and mental health. Each of these grantees is doing bold, evidence-based work to improve the lives of women and girls in San Luis Obispo County.
El Camino Homeless Organization
Welcome Home Program | Grant: $20,000
This program provides critical support to women transitioning from homelessness into permanent housing. The grant will fund security deposits and move-in baskets filled with essential items for women—often single mothers—moving out of ECHO shelters and into stable homes.
This is the second year of the Welcome Home Program, and due to its success, it is now reaching more families and expanding its impact.
Female-First Accessible Healthcare Project | Grant: $20,000
SLO Noor’s mobile healthcare initiative delivers free, comprehensive care to uninsured and underinsured women across San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara Counties. This includes medical, dental, vision, and mental health services—all tailored specifically for women.
With support from the Women’s Legacy Fund, their Women’s Mobile Health Unit, operated in partnership with the Cal Poly Health Research Center, will continue to bring essential, culturally sensitive care directly to the communities that need it most.
Planned Parenthood California Central Coast
Alternative Pain Management for Women’s Health | Grant: $16,500
This project seeks to address health equity by improving pain management options during gynecological procedures—an area where women’s needs have historically been under-recognized.
This grant will help implement trauma-informed, non-opioid approaches to pain relief, including the use of nitrous oxide and other tools that enhance comfort, dignity, and access to care for all women.
Transitions-Mental Health Association
Teen Support Group Expansion | Grant: $12,535
Building on a previous two-year grant, TMHA is expanding its peer-led mental health support groups for teen girls. With this year’s funding, the program will grow to serve Arroyo Grande and Nipomo High Schools, offering weekly, in-school support that fosters resilience, self-awareness, and connection. This trusted program has already shown success in reducing isolation and increasing access to mental wellness resources in youth populations.
“There continues to be a compelling need to support women’s and girls’ programs in this community, and that is why I feel it’s important to give EVERY YEAR to WLF. The more the fund grows, the more lives we can help change for the better. And that feels really good.”
— Jane Sinton, Founding Legacy Leader
Become a Legacy Leader
In 2003 we began the legacy of the endowment fund with 100 women donating $1,000 each to revolutionize giving in San Luis Obispo County. The founders originally believed it would take over a year to find the 100 donors, but the goal was accomplished in just three months. This is a fund started by women, organized by women, and benefits women.
Over the years, hundreds of donors have made contributions of $1,000 or more. Many make recurring gifts of $250, $500 or $1000 to sustain the fund. We call these generous donors our Legacy Leaders. Through the efforts of our Legacy Leaders, the fund Advisory Committee and our annual events, the endowment has grown to $2 million with grant awards totaling more than $800,000.
Attend an Event
Each year we host two major events. The first is an educational speaker series, Women & Wealth: Leave Your Legacy, workshopping the theme of building wealth in a community, so that we continue a legacy of philanthropy. Hosted in the Spring, this event is a chance for reflection, conversation, and inspired action. The second event, held in the Fall, is our main fundraising event of the year Picnic with Purpose. This annual luncheon hosts over 350 attendees. We gather to celebrate what Women’s Legacy Fund has accomplished, acknowledge our grantees and the successes of their programs, and invest in the future of Women’s Legacy Fund.
Get Involved
An endowed fund is a permanent philanthropic resource. A percentage of the fund’s value is available to grant each year, while the principal is invested to grow over time. This enables the fund to award grants in perpetuity. Your gift to the Women’s Legacy Fund is leveraged for greater impact. With your support, we will make a difference today and continue to make a lasting impact for generations.
Interested in going above and beyond a monetary contribution? Learn more about ways to get involved including joining our Advisory Committee, volunteering at events, and donating your time or skill.
Together, we can change our community for the better.
“I firmly believe that taking real-world action and engaging with a larger community are essential for fostering hope and striving for a better future. The Women’s Legacy Fund provides a perfect opportunity to achieve both in a meaningful, informed, and impactful way.”
// Giselle C., Legacy Leader
We can’t wait to hear from you.
Email
info@cfsloco.org
Phone
(805) 543-2323