News Articles

Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara to Award Largest Grants Pool in Its History

2/11/2021

In March, nearly 1,100 members of the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara will vote to distribute $750,000 to local nonprofits; awarding its largest annual grants pool since the organization began 17 years ago.

Every year, Women’s Fund members combine their charitable dollars into significant local grants, distributing nearly $8 million to more than 100 local nonprofit programs since 2004.

In 2020, despite ongoing pandemic and economic challenges, Women’s Fund members stepped up to create this record-breaking grants pool, recognizing the urgent needs of their neighbors — women,... Read More

A Record-Breaking Year: Let’s Prepare to Vote

2/10/2021

We are excited to announce that next month our 2020 Women’s Fund members will vote to award the largest grants pool in our 17-year history – an amazing $750,000!

That’s three quarters of a million dollars from us—from you—to help local women, children and families as the community continues to cope with the effects of the pandemic and forge a path to recovery.

It Takes Time

Our researchers have worked diligently to finalize the ballot we’ll use to cast our votes. A larger grants pools means more nonprofits on the ballot than ever... Read More

Hundreds Attend Immigrants’ Stories – America’s Promise Forum

2/1/2021

On the evening of January 28, more than 230 people attended the Women’s Fund's fourth virtual forum in its Grants in Action educational series. The forum focused on the topic of immigration and the work of the Santa Barbara County Immigrant Legal Defense Center (ILDC). 
It was moderated by Mikki Andina, a member of the Women’s Fund Research Committee and a retired anthropologist and public health nurse. You can watch the... Read More

What A Year – You Are Extraordinary!

1/14/2021

2020 is not likely to make it onto anyone’s “My Favorite Year” list. But 2020 will make it onto the Women’s Fund list of most generous years. During this extraordinarily disruptive year of extraordinary need, Women’s Fund members—you—showed extraordinary generosity.

This past year, some of you “rounded up” your donation or even doubled your usual contribution. We received unexpected gifts of $5,000 and even $10,000. We were thrilled to welcome 95 women as members – about half the number we saw in 2019 – in a year when... Read More

Mark Your Calendars – Important Dates

1/13/2021

The next few months will be busy for Women's Fund members! Here are the important dates leading to the selection of our new 2020-2021 grant recipients in March. 

  • Friday, March 5 - Ballot Information Package emailed to all 2020 Women's Fund members. This important package includes the information you need to know as you consider planning for your individual or group vote.... Read More

Immigrants’ Stories – America’s Promise

1/12/2021

If you're interested in learning more about immigration policies and how they impact Santa Barbara, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara is offering an online educational forum, Grants in Action: Immigrants’ Stories – America’s Promise, 5-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28.

The forum will address the work of the Santa Barbara Immigration Legal Defense Center (ILDC) and how a $65,000 Women’s Fund grant to partially fund an immigration attorney has helped advance their work.

The forum is... Read More

Housing Authority Recaps 2020 Achievements

12/29/2020

Despite growing financial strain locally and globally, the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara has managed to take steps toward more affordable housing.

Rob Fredericks, HACSB Executive Director/CEO, said in a press release: “As we get to the other side of challenges, we are experiencing because of COVID-19, we can recognize some positive aspects. 

“The destructive impact of income inequality and disparities in health care and housing are now plainly visible. We have... Read More

Rona Barrett Makes Appearance at Women’s Fund Grants in Action Forum

12/15/2020

Former actress and current philanthropist Rona Barrett made a special guest appearance at The Women’s Fund Grants in Action Educational Forum “Aging in Place Santa Barbara: Obstacles and Opportunities”  on December 8, 2020. The virtual event was attended by more than 200 members and guests. Ms. Barrett’s personal life story and experiences addressing the needs of aging seniors perfectly encapsulated the key messages of two agency leaders and an academic expert who spoke about strategies for healthy aging and how communities can support their seniors, as well as obstacles... Read More

Collaboration Creates a Silver Lining

12/13/2020

Silver lining (noun): a sign of hope in an otherwise negative situation.

It’s hard to imagine much of a silver lining in the middle of a global pandemic that has dramatically impacted our lives. But there is one. In Santa Barbara, we’ve seen new and expanding partnerships of public, private and faith-based organizations rising to address the growing needs in our community – particularly among our most vulnerable populations. And the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara is helping... Read More

Foodbank Responds to Pandemic

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11/15/2020

“March 9th is the day our organization changed forever,” said Erik Talkin, CEO of the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. He was describing the challenges in moving communities from hunger to nutritional self-sufficiency during a global pandemic.

Addressing Women’s Fund Individual Members at a virtual coffee last month, Erik shared information about the dramatic increase in the need for food services, along with the need to reevaluate all of the Foodbank’s systems to ensure pandemic safety precautions. 

“We have been grateful during this critical time,” he began, “... Read More

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