Santa Barbara Foundation

Programs: The santa barbara foundation serves the entire county of santa barbara, funding a wide range of initiatives, projects, and organizations in each community. In 2014, the foundation awarded over 2,400 grants to nonprofits. The discretionary grants program, totaling nearly $4 million in 2014, is supported by income from our unrestricted endowment, which has been built up over 85 years. Discretionary funds are grants based on decisions made by the foundation's board of trustees and staff and are based on a rigorous review process and assessment of community needs. Over 75% of all grants made through the foundation come from several types of funds including: donor designated funds, donor advised funds, and field of interest funds.

the santa barbara foundation funded the scholarship foundation of santa barbara for scholarships and loans in 2014. Through this collaboration, millions of dollars is efficiently distributed to the students of santa barbara county for student aid. In 2014, the foundation awarded over 600 loans and scholarships.

direct program activitiesthe women's fund of santa barbara enables women to combine charitable dollars and provides significant grants focused on the critical needs of women, children and families in south santa barbara county. The women's fund of northern santa barbara county responds to the community's most urgent needs by making substantial gifts in the north county. Members and supporters of the fund translate their values into action to serve as a catalyst for change on behalf of the women, children, and families in north county. (continued in schedule o)the women's funds educate and inspire women to become leaders in philanthropy, emphasizing the power of collective giving and the rewarding personal experience that active philanthropy provides. Svp of santa barbara social venture partners of santa barbara (svp sb), is a local chapter of an international organization which is sponsored by the santa barbara foundation. Svp partners seek to create significant, long-term social change in santa barbara by achieving a dual mission: expanding the capacity of innovative nonprofits by investing time, expertise, and money to collaboratively strengthen these organizations. Expanding philanthropy by educating individuals to be well informed, effective and engaged philanthropists. The focus areas of social venture partners of santa barbara during 2013 were homelessness, education and the environment.