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  • The Women's Fund of Santa Barbara invites you to join or make a donation today!

  • Simply click on Join Now and you will be linked to the Santa Barbara Foundation website where you can make a secure donation. Using the pull-down menu by "Donation Type", select "Women's Fund (Full Member)" or "Women's Fund (Group Member)". Enter the tax deductible amount and follow the instructions.

  • Members are encouraged to recommend agencies to research by emailing us at info@womensfundsb.org. We value your input.


Membership Options

  • Individual Member
    An individual member who gives $2500 or more is entitled to one vote, may serve on the Oversight Committee or Research Committee, and is invited to the Presentation of Funds.

  • Group Member
    A group of women who together give a total of $2500 or more is entitled to one vote, may serve on the Oversight Committee or Research Committee and is invited to the Presentation of Funds if she donated $250 or more.

  • Non-voting Contributors
    An individual contributor of $250 or more will receive an invitation to the Annual Presentation of Funds.

Top 10 Reasons to Join

  1. You can improve people's lives through collective giving. Nearly half of the foundation grants made in California are $10,000 or less and only 10% are over $100,000. All of our grants have been over $20,000 and one-third have been $100,000 or more. In our first four years, we have given $1,425,000.

  2. Gifts are made through a grass-roots research process. Each year members indicate areas where they perceive a need, and some recommend specific agencies. The Research Committee evaluates agencies and their needs to determine how best to allocate our funds. We do not receive grant applications. This provides flexibility to discover the most critical needs each year.

  3. Because of respect for the Women's Fund process and common focus in grant making, the Orfalea Fund in 2006 collaborated with us to match money contributed by our members. In 2007, the Orfalea Fund again matched each tax deductible dollar donated up to $300,000 and will do so once again in 2008!

  4. Without selling tickets, making decorations, soliciting auction items, or attending numerous meetings, you can make an important contribution to your community.

  5. Very little of your membership money is spent on administrative costs. A minimum of 95% is given annually.

  6. Although the Women's Fund of Santa Barbara is an independent entity, it works with support and guidance from the Santa Barbara Foundation, the 10th largest community foundation in California.

  7. As a member you can participate twice in the decision process: 1) choosing your areas of interest when you join or pledge, and 2) voting for recipients.

  8. You can have a major impact in addressing unmet needs of women, children, and families in our community. All funds are used in the greater Santa Barbara area.

  9. As a large women's funding group, we are unique in our community, and part of the growing national trend in women's giving groups.

  10. Entering its 5th year, the Women's Fund is developing a history of giving that demonstrates the power of collective philanthropy by women.

In partnership with the Santa Barbara Foundation