The Santa Barbara Foundation is committed to creating a safe, thriving community for all. Our county is home to vibrant immigrant communities that are integral to our region’s identity, economy, and culture. According to census data, as of July 2024, approximately 98,235 foreign-born residents live in Santa Barbara County. That is 22% of the County’s population.
Currently, many families in our community are facing fear and uncertainty. Local nonprofits report that community members are “frightened and scared,” and need access to immigration resources, supplies, and mental health support. The Santa Barbara Foundation is actively supporting frontline organizations who are providing resources and support. We have heard from our donors that you would like to as well, so we have created this list of resources for you.
The Santa Barbara Foundation is proud to increase the impact of your donation through collective giving. People often approach us with a community need and an exciting solution to fill that need. We act as a facilitator, to bring people who share the same passion together for heightened impact. Collective giving allows people to pool their funds and other resources to create real change.
Find your philanthropic fit through collective giving.
The primary purpose of the Santa Barbara Better Together, a Committee-Advised Fund at the Santa Barbara Foundation, is to provide financial assistance for the small local business community where there are gaps in federal and foundation funding during the COVID-19 pandemic in Santa Barbara County. Secondarily the fund will help supplement funding gaps in local non-profits when possible.
Santa Barbara Better Together was funded with an initial contribution in the amount of $500,000 by Deckers. The primary focus of the fund is to support small scale local businesses, helping them to survive during this time of crisis and to ensure they thrive for the long term, so that they in turn, can help sustain the vitality of our community. Without the support, the fallout of the small business community will be devastating to not only the businesses but all who they employ.
Click here to give to the Santa Barbara Better Together Fund.
Contact: Tammy Sims Johnson at TJohnson@SBFoundation.org or 805-880-9390 or Jessica Sanchez at
JSanchez@SBFoundation.org or 805-880-9366.
Since 2010, the Global Neighborhood Fund has been a leading collective global giving group that has provided nearly $350,000 in grassroots grants to organizations in developing countries. Some of their past and present work has included/includes providing people with health care, clean water, education for girls, economic empowerment, safe births, and prevention and treatment of gender violence.
For more information about the Global Neighborhood Fund, please email globalneighborhoodfund@gmail.com.
The Ojai Women’s Fund (OWF) pools the resources of women in the Ojai Valley to provide meaningful financial support to a broad range of charitable projects throughout the Valley. Areas of focus include arts, education, the environment, health and social services. Through its annual grantmaking program, OWF will inspire women to become leaders in philanthropy, educate women and the community on current issues and giving strategies, and empower women to help strengthen their community.
The Ojai Women’s Fund is a field of interest fund of the Santa Barbara Foundation. For more information about OWF, please visit ojaiwomensfund.org.
Santa Barbara Impact Network, formerly Social Venture Partners Santa Barbara, is a network of local partners connecting passion and purpose—creating greater impact, rallying around a shared vision, strengthening nonprofits, and enriching the social sector.
For more information about Santa Barbara Impact Network, please visit sbimpactnetwork.org.
Vow4Mal is a field of interest fund at the Santa Barbara Foundation focusing on the education and prevention of drinking and driving. The fund was established in January 2014 to honor the life of Mallory Rae Dies, who was hit and killed by a drunk driver. Community supporters, friends and family continue to rally around the issue, working to eliminate excuses for and change stereotypes about drinking and driving.
Learn more about upcoming events at vow4mal.org. For more information about Vow4Mal, please contact Jessica Sanchez, Senior Director of Donor Relations at (805) 963-1873 or jsanchez@sbfoundation.org.
Senior Programs of Santa Barbara Committee Advised FundThe Senior Programs of Santa Barbara Committee Advised Fund provides grants in aid to Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria nonprofit organizations that address the needs of senior citizens living in these three areas.
Click here to learn more about the 2018 Senior Program grant opportunities, or please contact Mary Robles, Senior Programs committee member, at (805) 965-6373. For technical assistance, please contact Jessica Sanchez, the Santa Barbara Foundation’s Senior Director of Donor Relations, at (805) 963-1873.
Contact our team to help you with your specific needs.
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