Community Disaster Relief

The loss and damage caused by the many fires burning simultaneously in Los Angeles County continue to grow.

For our Santa Barbara County neighbors interested in supporting relief efforts, we will continue to add resources about reputable organizations from both Santa Barbara County and Los Angeles County delivering vital aid.

• Click Here to Donate to California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund (Los Angeles Fires)
• Click Here to Donate to Pasadena Community Foundation’s Eaton Canyon Fire Relief Fund
• Click Here to Learn More about Philanthropy California
• Click Here to Learn More about Pasadena Humane
• Click Here to Learn More about the Red Cross
• Click Here to Learn More about Direct Relief

Community Disaster Relief Fund

With both natural and human-caused disasters occurring more frequently and with greater severity, the need for financial resources to support nonprofit and government response and recovery efforts is growing rapidly. The Community Disaster Relief Fund at the Santa Barbara Foundation is built to address this need and is activated in the aftermath of an emergency to support nonprofit organizations in short-term and long-term recovery.

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When Santa Barbara County was impacted by the Thomas Fire and subsequent 1/9 Debris Flow, our communities were devastated. To provide the needed financial assistance to organizations that are actively engaged in emergency response and recovery operations, the Community Disaster Relief Fund was been activated. It was activated again in response to the COVID-19 crisis, and is actively accepting donations.

The Santa Barbara Foundation is collaborating with the Santa Barbara County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (SBC VOAD) and has been monitoring the response and needs from nonprofit organizations that are assisting individuals and families that have been displaced. These needs will change as we transition into long-term recovery operations, so the foundation will continue to assess the situation and make funding decisions as necessary.

All funds received through the Community Disaster Relief Fund will be utilized in support of SBC VOAD member organizations. The Santa Barbara Foundation is not providing housing assistance or financial assistance directly to individuals and families.

Below, you can view infographics representing CDRF donations and CDRF funds distributed in 2018-19.

Funding decisions are made in coordination with the United Way of Santa Barbara County and the Thomas Fire & 1/9 Debris Flow Fund organized in partnership with the United Way of Ventura County. Initial grants were distributed from the Community Disaster Relief Fund in March 2018.

Select Stories of SBF's Disaster Response

We Lead: COVID-19 Joint Response Effort

Featured in the County Connections Report: Together, We Can BY SAM WATERSTONE At the Santa Barbara Foundation, we know that when disaster strikes  partnership and collaboration are essential as we […]

Cross-Sector Partnership Supports Small Businesses Countywide

BY SAM WATERSTONE | March 9, 2021 With COVID-19 vaccine distribution picking up for Santa Barbara County residents, hope is finally on the horizon – but, the consequences of the […]