It’s no secret that SESLOC traces our history to local educators. In 1943, our first meeting of 32 San Luis Obispo county education employees was called to order, seeking to help each other save and borrow money through honest and fair conditions.
Although we’ve grown, our dedication to education remains the same. Every month, we award Education Grants up to $500 to K-12 teachers to expand classroom resources and support plans not usually covered by school budgets – all in the spirit of “People Helping People.”
The 2025-2026 school year was busy for the SESLOC Education Grants program. We ended the educational calendar year by giving out $17,172.25 to over 20 schools in our service area. Since the program inception in 2013, we’ve awarded over $225,000 to benefit students. Some of the projects our grants supported this school year include:
- Purchasing 15 evidence-based decodable books for students in grades Kindergarten through Sixth who are struggling with reading at Grover Beach Elementary in Grover Beach.
- Supporting essential classroom supplies for mental health services program that supports students in Seventh and Eighth grades with emotional, social, and behavioral challenges at Judkins Middle School in Pismo Beach.
- Building a library designed to support students’ learning needs for grades Second through Sixth with a combination of fiction & nonfiction books at Dana Elementary School in Nipomo.
- Adding pickleball equipment to PE classes at Oakley Elementary in Santa Maria, including paddles and ball carriers.
- Buying materials & supplies for the Santa Maria High School financial education reality fair, allowing students to simulate budgeting and money management in real-life scenarios.
- Purchasing supplies for Fourth grade students to create an endangered species habitat at Treat Elementary School in San Luis Obispo, directly supporting the State of California’s grade science education standards.
- Helping Cayucos Elementary buy a Cricut Maker for the school, allowing students to design stickers, posters and more for students, staff and coaches.
- Purchasing assorted insect figures for a Transitional Kindergarten class at Hawthorne Elementary in San Luis Obispo, which will help students learn about different insect species and their characteristics, supporting hands on exploration and observation.
“We’re proud and excited to support our communities through creating educational opportunities for students of all ages,” said Vincent Delgado, Education Outreach Manager. “When our schools thrive, our community grows and everyone has the opportunity to improve their financial lives – that’s a win-win!”
The SESLOC Education Grant Program is available to local K-12 educators at accredited schools. Continue to support your local schools by sharing the grant application with Central Coast teachers. And if you are a director of an enrichment program or a teacher looking for new ways to energize your classroom with a little extra support, apply today!