Amid growing competition for philanthropic funding and changes to federal support for public media, five San Luis Obispo County nonprofits collectively will receive $140,000 over the next two years from the Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County.
Foundation Arts and Culture grants recently were awarded to KCBX Public Radio, San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, Paso Robles Youth Arts Center, Mujeres de Acción, and Infinite Music.
KCBX and SLOMA each received $35,000, the Youth Arts Center received $30,000, and Mujeres de Acción and Infinite Music each received $20,000.
While each organization serves a different population, the funding, which is unrestricted, reflects a shared goal: sustaining access to creative expression and community storytelling across the county.
The Community Foundation posted the awards on Facebook, writing “These incredible organizations enrich our community through connection, education, and creativity.”
KCBX Public Radio
For KCBX, the grant arrives at a critical moment for public media. “KCBX is a crucial resource for our community,” says KCBX president and general manager Chris McBride. “Our newsroom produces over 500 local stories, providing information during emergencies and disasters and creating a public record that aids in recovery funding and civic and environmental protections.”
In addition to its newsroom, the station maintains a community calendar featuring more than 1,000 arts, cultural and nonprofit events, and airs roughly 4,500 hours of local, niche and volunteer-hosted music each year.
Recent national changes have intensified financial pressure. “As a result of the recent elimination of federal funding and closure of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, KCBX and all public media stations are facing significant annual shortfalls,” according to McBride. For KCBX, that loss amounts to $420,000 annually.
The Community Foundation funding will help support part-time development staff and expand planned giving services, steps aimed at building long-term sustainability.
“This grant is helping us build the financial security needed to continue serving the community,” McBride says. “With financial security, KCBX can continue providing the community with free, reliable, fact-based, and unbiased coverage of local events, issues, and people.”
Infinite Music
For Infinite Music, the funding directly impacts youth across the county, particularly those who might otherwise lack access to arts education.
“Infinite Music’s mission is rooted in providing life-changing music education opportunities for local youth that foster artistic expression, resilience and community connection,” says founder Sarah Mason.
The nonprofit prioritizes underserved students, including those with learning disabilities, those whose families are experiencing hardship, and those from unstable home environments. Through its “Rising Stars” mentorship program, students in grades 2 through 12 receive tuition-free individual and small-group instruction tailored to their goals.
Its “Be Instrumental” program offers workshops in songwriting, digital production, and voice and instrumental study, bridging academic music education with real-world application.
Demand for the programs continues to grow. “From 2025 to 2026, we have grown the number of students in this program by a remarkable 65%, a testament to the need and interest for this type of arts mentorship program in the communities we serve,” says Mason.
“This grant makes it possible for us to substantially grow our programming, doubling our impact to students and those in outlying areas of the county we have not been able to reach due to limited funding.”
For Mason, the impact extends beyond music instruction. “Budget cuts and limited resources have stripped many local schools and learning centers of dedicated and relevant music education. For underserved youth, this often means music—an essential avenue for expression, healing, confidence, and creativity—is completely out of reach.”
Mujeres de Acción
Mujeres de Acción views the grant award as essential to sustaining its growth and expanding its presence in the community.
“This grant is monumental for Mujeres de Acción as it allows us to keep up with our continued growth in the community,” says founder Yessenia Echevarria. “We are thankful for the Community Foundation and their commitment to helping San Luis Obispo County prosper and create a more livable region.”
SLOMA and PRYAC
The SLO Museum of Art and Paso Robles Youth Arts Center received support reinforcing investment in both established cultural institutions and youth-centered arts programming across the county.
The museum fosters deeper understanding through bold, thought-provoking exhibitions that challenge norms and spark dialogue, and the Youth Arts Center nurtures confidence and creativity through free classes in art, music, theatre, dance, and more.