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Women in Santa Barbara are speaking with a strong and united voice. At the recent Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara annual presentation luncheon they spoke for families in crisis and awarded $600,000 to eight local nonprofit agencies. Recipients’ identities were kept secret until the big announcement, creating a delicious sense of anticipation.
The members of the Women’s Fund (WF) come from every corner of the community: sales clerks, trust officers, mothers, nurses, grandmothers, sisters, artists, business owners, stay-at-home moms, and students. Their incomes vary but all are committed to helping women and families.
Alice joined because she liked the idea that she could “support worthwhile causes for women and children directly.” Even though she does not qualify as a full member ($2,500 annually), Alice feels a strong connection and commitment to the Fund.Each year, Fund members contribute to particular issues such as the problems faced by single mothers or teens and the impact of domestic violence.
The Research Committee conducts interviews for months, assessing the strengths of the nonprofits that serve the groups they want to help. Members take this work very seriously and enjoy every minute. A ballot is sent to everyone listing the organizations that would be eligible to receive WF grants. The latter part of the year brings an opportunity for women to participate in site visits to meet the people connected with the projects they fund and see the human face of their gifts. Last year, a young couple described how a WF grant had rescued them from a health-related disaster. Level of involvement in the Women’s Fund is flexible: women may choose to serve on a committee, take on a leadership role, or contribute, like Alice, as a general member or part of a group.
Whatever the level of commitment, they are assured that the power of their collective finance will make positive changes for women and children in our community. There is a general understanding that when you help a woman, you help her family, and when you help a family, you begin to affect an entire community. A gift to the WF is so much more than simply writing a check.
Now in its fifth extraordinary year, the Fund continues to grow. Last year, the Orfalea Family Foundation matched contributions for the year. It has offered to repeat this generous commitment in 2008! For information about how to join the Women's Fund and details on grants awarded, please visit www.womensfundsb.org.
| Angels Foster Care of Santa Barbara |
$85,000 |
| Licensed social worker to recruit, screen and train foster families |
| Casa Pacifica |
$55,000 |
Three compact cars for caseworkers and mental health professionals
to visit youth in emergencies |
| Family Service Agency |
$95,000 |
| One third of cost of operating the 211 helpline |
| Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara |
$55,000 |
| Teen Mentoring program |
| Isla Vista Youth Projects |
$60,000 |
| Family advocate and counselor for one year |
| People’s Self-Help Housing |
$50,000 |
| Educator for specialized mentoring learning program |
| Storyteller Children’s Center |
$150,000 |
| Leadership grant for $2.5 million expansion campaign |
| Transition House |
$50,000 |
| Salary of case manager for one year |
| Women’s Fund Total: |
$600,000 |
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