How to Apply

Process Overview

Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the foundation’s endowment, we are proud to offer grant opportunities for nonprofits that are dedicated to addressing our community’s most pressing challenges through innovation, commitment, and enthusiasm.

To apply for a grant, please follow these steps:

1. Review the available Grant Opportunities.
2. Determine the program/s or initiative/s for which you are eligible and to which you would like to apply.
3. Carefully review the grant guidelines and read through the Eligibility Criteria and FAQs.
4. Contact the community engagement team member listed with the relevant grant program if you still have questions or wish to discuss a specific project.
5. Review and follow the online application & submittal procedures (see below).

Application and Submittal Procedures

CLICK HERE FOR A DETAILED VIDEO OF THIS PROCESS, AND/OR  CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PDF COPY OF THE INSTRUCTIONS

For first time applicants (no existing profile in SmartSimple)

1. Visit the portal here. 
2. Click on the blue Register button under “New to the System?”
3. Select status as Nonprofit, Fiscally Sponsored Entity, or For Profit.
4. Begin typing your org name into the Organization Name box. If it shows “No Records Found”, click on the link in the blue box above this section to add a new organization.
5. Enter only ONE of the following and press search: (do not enter both, this will return no results).
   1. Org EIN without dashes or spaces
   2. Organization name
6. Click on your organization name in the Organization Results screen.
7. Fill in your contact information and press submit. Make sure to use an email that you have access to, because you will receive emailed links to set up your account.
8. You will then receive an email prompting you to create a password and finish setting up your account.  

Orgs new to the system will need to add information to Organization Profile before beginning grant applications. This includes staff/board/financial/other org information – required fields are marked with a red asterisk. 

Adding an individual contact to an existing org profile

1. Visit the portal here. 
2. Click on the blue Register button under “New to the System?” 
3. Select status as Nonprofit, Fiscally Sponsored Entity, or For Profit. 
4. Begin typing your org name into the Organization Name box. It should pop up automatically; when it does, click on it. 
5. Fill in your contact information and press submit. Make sure to use an email that you have access to.  
6. You will then receive an email prompting you to create a password and finish setting up your account.  

DEADLINES: All applications must be received by 5PM on the deadline date noted for each grant program on the grant opportunities page. Please carefully review grant guidelines and read through Eligibility Criteria and FAQs. Paper applications are not accepted. 

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application or submission, please contact Hazel Naftzger, Data & Evaluation Coordinator, at 805-880-8377 or hnaftzger@sbfoundation.org 

Late Application Policy

The Santa Barbara Foundation seeks to administer a fair and consistent grantmaking process while recognizing that unforeseen circumstances can arise. 

Applications are expected to be submitted by the stated deadline in the grant guidelines. Please carefully review grant guidelines and read through Eligibility Criteria and FAQs. Paper and PDF applications are not accepted. 

In rare cases, we may consider a late submission when (all must be met): 

• The applicant notifies the Foundation prior to the deadline  

• The delay is due to circumstances outside of the applicant’s control (for example, a family emergency or unexpected technical/internet failure)  

• A revised submission timeline is agreed upon in advance, and the application is submitted within a short, defined period (typically within 24 hours)  

Requests received after the application deadline has passed will not be considered.  

For grant opportunities that have multiple cycles per year such as Small Capacity Building Grant Program, the Late Application Policy is as follows:  

For SCBG, late submissions for Cycles 1, 2, and 3 will be automatically considered in the next grant cycle.  If a late application is received for the 4th and final cycle of the year, the Program Officer will reach out directly to the organization submitting the late application to let them know that their submission was not received within the deadline and they will need to re-apply the following year. 

For the Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts, any application that has not been submitted by the deadline will remain in draft status and may be submitted during the next application cycle. 

We encourage applicants to plan ahead and submit early whenever possible.