As we are all aware, challenges in the economy took a toll across all sectors of our communities last year, leaving an increased number of Santa Barbara County families in situations of significant need, not only the most vulnerable but many who had lost jobs and homes for the first time in their lives. The Jesusita Fire made matters only worse.

 

To respond quickly, the Santa Barbara Foundation established the Community Economic Recovery Fund (CERF) to address this emerging need. The Orfalea Foundations, the Cavaletto Charities, the Bower Foundation, and many of our generous donor fund holders and Associates, stepped forward to create this extraordinary philanthropic partnership, thanks to shared values of responding to community issues and social responsibility.