Since its inception in 2001, the Growing Together Initiative (GTI) Fund has awarded more than 100 grants totalling more than $280,000 to organizations and direct services to promote education, awareness and advocacy for the needs of the LGBTQ and ally community.  The GTI has also raised more than $370,000 in an endowment which will ensure a perpetual source of funds to support equality and social justice in San Luis Obispo County.  Below are just a few examples of the kinds of activities your donations help to support:

- $1,000 to Tranz Central Coast (fiscal sponsor is GALA) to support the “Teaching Transgender Training of Trainers” program to educate about the growing need for culturally sensitive and trans-affirming training and community outreach. 

​-$3,000 grant to the Central Coast Coalition for Inclusive Schools supporting youth leaders in hosting three educational awareness events

-$1,000 grant to Cal Poly Queer C.A.R.E.S Program for funding a San Luis Obispo County LGBTQ+ Mental Health and Wellness needs assesment. 

​-Multiple grants of $500 each to support local Gay - Straight Alliances/Clubs on high school campuses to promote safe spaces for LGBT students and their allies to discuss social issues 

​-Hosting film screenings of documentaries on topics including the status of LGBT rights around the world and same sex parenting.

​GTI is fortunate to have a generous Donation Challenge Match of $7,500 from United Staffing Associates. With your donation being matched equally by United Staffing Associates, we will be able to continue to make grants that support community organization's efforts to address important social justice issues like discrimination and bullying in schools, equity issues in elder care and human services, and other issues supporting LGBTQ awareness.

For more infomration about this fund click HERE.