Overview

Since 2004, the Women's Fund of Santa Barbara has given more than $2.5 million to 33 nonprofit agencies that benefit thousands of women, children and families within the greater Santa Barbara area.

 

 

Women's Fund: 6-years-at-a-glance

  • $2,515,000 contributed to 33 nonprofits in Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria since 2004. 
  • $2,500 annual memberships leveraged into larger gifts where 97% of collected funds go directly to programs helping local people.
  • 409 individual and group members in 2009 - up from 67 members in 2004.
  • Orfalea Fund - a generous collaborator since 2006.
  • Santa Barbara Foundation - partner and fiscal home for the Women's Fund since 2004. 

 

 

Our History

In 2002, after reading an article in the Los Angeles Times about the Everychild Foundation, Carol Palladini and Meredith Scott invited its founder Jacqueline Caster to speak at the Santa Barbara Foundations' Women in Philanthropy program.

Jacqueline's dynamic presentation about women's donor funds was inspiring and simple--no fund raising events, no tickets to sell or tables to fill, no required time commitment. It provided a way for women to pool their charitable donations in order to grant larger amounts of money and to make a major difference in helping meet community needs.

After Jacqueline's presentation, several women created a similar fund in Santa Barbara. Their hope was to raise $50,000 the first year. When they raised $140,000, Founding Chair Carol Palladini reported, "It came together so easily, we KNEW this was an idea whose time had come!"

The main goals in forming the Fund were:

  • Keep the structure simple
  • Require minimal volunteer time
  • Do our own thorough research
  • Make grants large enough to really help women, children and families
  • Have Fund members be the decision makers
  • Give away all the money collected annually
  • Not spend donor money on events

The Santa Barbara Foundation has been the Women's Fund fiscal home and a tremendous source of support and advice from the beginning. For the first three years, they helped the Fund get established and grow by paying all direct expenses and handling the Fund's administrative needs at no charge. In 2007, all agreed that the Women's Fund was sufficiently launched to cover its own expenses (never over 5%), paying a modest fee to the Santa Barbara Foundation for administrative support.

In 2006, the Orfalea Fund approached the two-year-old Women's Fund of Santa Barbara with an exciting offer. Because they liked the collective giving concept and the quality of the Fund's volunteer-driven research, and to help attract more members, Orfalea offered to match Women's Fund member donations. Since 2006, the Orfalea Fund has donated nearly $900,000 to the Women's Fund - matching our member contributions for three of those years to help stimulate the membership growth we enjoy today. With the Orfalea Fund's help Women's Fund membership has grown from 67 members in 2004 to 409 members in 2009 - nearly 500% growth since the Fund's start in 2004. While no longer matching member dollars, Orfalea remains a generous contributor, awarding $20,000 grants to the Women's Fund in both 2009 and 2010.

The Women's Fund appreciates both the Santa Barbara Foundation and Orfalea Fund heartfelt thanks for their support, guidance, and confidence. We know both will continue to be supportive while they watch the Women's Fund grow stronger, connecting exceptional women in our community who are committed to Changing Lives Together.

Founding Committee: Carol Palladini, Chair; Perri Harcourt, Shirley Ann Hurley, Jean Kaplan, Dale Kern, Joanne Rapp, Elna Scheinfeld, Meredith Scott, Kay Stern, Anne Smith Towbes, Marsha Wayne, Fritzie Yamin.

 

 

 

How the Fund Works

Women are the only voting members. However, we encourage all individuals and businesses to contribute. Any donor giving $250 or more is invited to the Presentation of Funds luncheon.

To be a voting member, a woman must contribute $2,500 paid in full each year by the stated deadline. Women may also form a group membership to make the minimum donation of $2,500 collectively and decide together how the group’s single vote is cast. We encourage larger donations but each individual member or group has only one vote per year.

Those not interested in voting may make donations of any amount as non-voting contributors.

All collected tax-deductible donations are put into the Women's Fund administered by the Santa Barbara Foundation, which serves as our fiscal home and 501(c)3. While we benefit from foundation staff assistance and research, all granting decisions are made by the voting members of the Women's Fund.

Granting is decided by a simple majority vote of members who must be willing to abide by the decision. The recipient(s) are announced at the annual Presentation of Funds luncheon. Donor funds (beyond those withheld for general expenses) are not used to pay for the Presentation of Funds event.

Grants are made to nonprofit agencies in the greater Santa Barbara area on a one-time basis. There is no formal grant application process for potential recipients. The Women's Fund researches projects that are focused on our mission (meeting the critical needs of women, children and families) and that address local issues selected annually by our members. Only projects that have a timely and critical need, competent leadership and a workable plan with measureable outcomes are considered.

The Fund must have a minimum of $50,000 before making any grants. Fewer and larger grants are in keeping with the philosophy of the Women's Fund and a single grant may be awarded when appropriate. If less than $50,000 is collected in any one year, the funds will be held over to become part of the grant(s) given in the following year. When the minimum total is collected, at least 90% of the entire amount will be given that year.

The Women's Fund of Santa Barbara has no paid staff or board of directors but is managed by voting members who volunteer to serve on one of the Fund's two committees: Operations and Research. A Steering Committee of Operations and Research leaders oversees Women's Fund policy and actions that affect the organization as a whole. Leadership is nurtured from the committees where multi-year involvement is encouraged for experience and continuity. At the same time, we seek new volunteers each year to foster widespread education and participation.

A reserve of up to 10% of funds collected in a given year is held back to meet administrative, mailing and outreach expenses. All unused reserves are returned to the Fund.

Funds collected in one calendar year are presented early in the following calendar year. For example, the 2009-10 grants come from funds collected in 2009 and distributed February 8, 2010.

 

 

Get Involved Today

We invite all women in our community to join the Women's Fund and become more fully informed strategic philanthropists. How involved you become is up to you. As a member, you only need to make your annual contribution. But there are also opportunities to volunteer on committees if you wish to become more involved in the Women's Fund's success.

 

The 2010 Operations Committee is chaired by Fleurette Barsom-Janigian and Sarah de Tagyos and consists of subcommittee chairs who lead the following teams. Women’s Fund members are welcome to volunteer for any of these subcommittees:

 

• Membership Support – recruiting and renewing members; managing membership records (Parm Williams and Meredith Scott are 2010 co-chairs)

 

• Financial Management – budgeting and tracking contributions, expenses and awards (Jo Gifford is 2010 chair)

 

• Communications & Marketing – creating WF messages, monthly e-newsletter, news media, website, all print materials (Jennifer Guess is 2010 chair)

 

• Mailing Management – handling logistics (not content) for mailings, e.g., spring membership letter, event invitations, fall follow-up reminders (Carol Palladini and Carol Hicks are 2010 co-chairs)

 

• Presentation of Funds Luncheon – planning, coordinating all aspects of Feb. 2011 award luncheon (Regina Roney is 2011 chair)

 

• Site Visit – planning, coordinating all aspects of fall visit to grantees (Stina Hans is 2010 chair)

 

• Grantee Liaison – serving as primary contact between WF and grantees for reports, impact stories, photos, events (Stina Hans is 2010 chair)

 

The 2010 Research Committee is chaired by Tish Gainey and Donna B. Fisher Yates who welcome experienced researchers and new volunteers to the team. Committee responsibilities include:

 

• Identifying areas of community need and agencies addressing those needs

• Conducting in-depth research

• Preparing ballot and information for member voting

 

The Research Committee meets on the 1st Thursday of every month from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

 

 

 

 

Membership

The Women's Fund welcomes all women interested in our mission of collective philanthropy. Your membership and your vote will help us expand our commitment.

MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS

  • Individual Member
    An individual member who gives $2500 or more is entitled to one vote, may serve on a Women's Fund 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. A member may serve on a Women's Fund 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.

 

 

 

Members & Committees

Click here for a full list of current members and committees.

 

 

Santa Barbara Foundation

The Women's Fund is a Field of Interest Fund administered through the Santa Barbara Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation has provided guidance and support to the Women's Fund.

The Santa Barbara Foundation is a community foundation established in 1928 to enrich the lives of the people of Santa Barbara County through philanthropy. With an 80-year legacy of strategic philanthropy, the Foundation is:

  • One of the oldest and largest of the more than 600 community foundations in the United States
  • A flexible and personalized resource for philanthropy
  • An investor in permanent endowment, which provides resources for education, personal development, health, human services, culture, recreation, community enhancement, and environment
  • Worth approximately $280 million

The Santa Barbara Foundation is known for three things:

  1. Connecting people who care with causes that matter-We help donors fulfill their vision for good, enriching lives in Santa Barbara County and beyond.
  2. Promoting effective giving-We offer a range of giving solutions that can be tailored to fit each donor's financial means and charitable interests.
  3. Building community capital-We grow and carefully manage endowment funds, providing resources to meet community needs.

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Women's Fund of Santa Barbara differ from other women's funds in California and across the country?
Many of the grants given through women's funds across the country are for $10,000 or less. All of our grants have been over $20,000 and more than half have been $75,000 or more.

The Women's Fund does not accept applications for funding nor lobby or advocate for causes.

Is the Women's Fund a giving circle?
In the sense that a giving circle is a group of individuals who pool their money and decide, collectively, where to donate the money, the Women's Fund is part of the national trend of women's giving circles.

However, the Women's Fund of Santa Barbara is a fund, not a club.Volunteer committees ensure the Fund supports our community by giving to worthy projects. The Women's Fund also educates women about the benefits of philanthropy.

How does the Women's Fund educate its members about philanthropy?

  • Each year members see their grants in action at a mid-year Site Visit and review of recent recipients.
  • Through the ballot presentation and voting, members learn more in depth about local organizations and the work they're doing to address critical community needs.
  • Research Committee members have opportunities to learn about nonprofit organizations and their programs as part of the in-depth research process.
  • Women's Fund members are invited to attend the educational programs of the Santa Barbara Foundation's Women in Philanthropy program.

If I am interested or have a friend who is interested in the Women's Fund, how can we get information?
You can learn more about the Women's Fund by emailing us at info@womensfundsb.org or contacting the Santa Barbara Foundation  by phone 963-1873. A packet of information will be mailed upon your request.

How much of my annual contribution is tax deductible?
100%

When is my contribution due?
By December 1 of each year.

In what ways may I make a donation?

  • By check: payable to the Women's Fund of Santa Barbara.
  • By Visa and MasterCard: click here (Join Now) to go to Santa Barbara Foundation website, call the Santa Barbara Foundation (963-1873), or send in the response card from a membership packet.
  • By transfer from another charitable fund, such as a donor advised fund or private foundation. Request payment from the organization holding your fund.
  • By securities gift: contact the Santa Barbara Foundation (963-1873).

Does the Women's Fund meet as a group?
There are no required meetings of the entire membership, but all members and contributors donating $250 or more are invited to the Annual Presentation of Funds. Also, members are invited to a fall site visit to our most recent recipients. Members also receive a monthly electronic newsletter to help them stay connected.

How are grants awarded?
Members help choose areas of community need to focus the work of the Research Committee. There is no formal grant application process. Members can recommend projects of possible interest to this committee. The Research Committee strives to find the most critical and compelling projects serving the community in a given year. Recipients must be 501(c)(3) organizations that demonstrate reliability and sustainability of programs. The effectiveness of the program must have measurable outcomes.

How much is membership in the Women's Fund?

  • Annual individual membership: $2500 or more.
  • Annual group membership: a combined donation totaling $2500 or more.
  • A woman who wishes to donate less than the $2500 individual membership and does not want to form a group may be a non-voting contributor to the Fund.

Am I a permanent member when I join?
No, memberships are for one year.

How is giving to the Women's Fund different from giving to the Santa Barbara Foundation?
Both collect funds, do research and distribute funds within the greater Santa Barbara community. It is certainly possible to contribute to both.

The Women's Fund is unique because:

  • Women's Fund members are the decision makers as to where the pooled funds will be donated. Members select areas of community need to be researched, the agencies to research and the final recipients.
  • Monies collected are given as grants every year (not more than 5% has been withheld for annual expenses.)
  • Only women are members.
  • If desired, Women's Fund members may volunteer to serve on committees that manage the operations of the Fund.
  • Women's Fund gifts are not based on a grant application process.
  • The Women's Fund gives only to nonprofit projects and programs on the South Coast (Carpinteria to Goleta).

Why not just give directly to my favorite nonprofit organizations?
While giving directly to favored charities allows a woman to have more control over where her money goes, we have found that most of our participants give to the Women's Fund IN ADDITION to their charities of special interest. There are several reasons our members state for loving the concept of a collective fund:

  • In combining their donations with many others, their giving is leveraged into larger amounts that can have a greater impact in addressing community needs.
  • There are a variety of ways our members can participate in the research of local needs and organizations, which are educational, cooperative, and fun!
  • The Women's Fund gives to specific projects/programs that allow us to know exactly how the money will be spent and the recipients report to us at least twice during the year of receiving a grant.
  • While the Women's Fund as a whole doesn't have meetings and events, our members find they really enjoy the camaraderie of doing good work together. Our "group" members love getting together to decide their vote each year; and all members look forward to coming together for the announcement of the winners at our Presentation of Funds.

If I wish to be part of a group membership but can't create one, what should I do?
We would be happy to help connect you to others. CONTACT US and we'll get back to you with names of other women wishing to form a group.

If I give more than the $2,500 needed for a membership, do I get more than one vote?
The founders of the Women's Fund decided that they wanted to emphasize our common interest in addressing important community needs. In making this decision, we agreed to de-emphasize any "hierarchy of giving". Thus, even though we have very generous members who give more than $2,500, we all are allowed one vote. If the amount of a second membership should be donated for someone else, such as a friend or daughter, that second person is given a vote.

 

If you have a question that is not answered above, please e-mail us at info@womensfundsb.org.

 


Mother and daughter together

Standing L-R: Founders Shirley Ann Hurley, Ann Towbes, Kay Stern, and Fritzie Yamin. Seated L-R: Founders Carol Palladini and Meredith Scott.
In partnership with the Santa Barbara Foundation