Hundreds of members of the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara gathered on May 9, 2023 to celebrate the positive impact of collective giving and to award 10 large grants to nonprofits located in south Santa Barbara County.

The annual Celebration of Grants event, held at Santa Barbara’s Marjorie Luke Theatre, included a lively welcome reception followed by the announcement of each grant recipient that will share in a pool of member contributions totaling a record-breaking $925,000.

The event marks the 19th year that the Women’s Fund has been…

Storyteller Children’s Center hosted its 9th annual Lunch with Love at the S.B. Woman’s Club for more than 200 supporters. There was a reception on the sunny patio and then lunch inside, where guests were welcomed by Board President Michael Wasserman. He recognized some of the many public officials present, including Mayor Randy Rowse, Police Chief Kelly Gordon, County Supervisor Laura Capps, and City Fire Chief Chris Mailes.

Executive Director Gabriella Garcia explained how Storyteller provides high quality early childhood education to children who have faced adverse circumstances…

Imagine a safe space in the heart of Santa Barbara where local teenagers gather to discuss books, host poetry slams, create videos or simply hang out, without parents watching over their shoulders.

It’s a place where they can be themselves, explore their passions and collaborate.

This is just one of the visions that the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation hopes to achieve, with ongoing support from the City of Santa Barbara and the community.

As the new Michael Towbes Library Plaza nears completion this fall outside the downtown library at 40 W. Anapamu St., the…

Former Chair Lynn Karlson speaking at 2022 Celebration of Grants with current Chair Jamie Dufek
 

Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara provides $925,000 in grants to local organizations

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the rising costs of living, housing crisis and more, the volunteers with the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara have made it their mission to rise from these challenges.

The Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara is a volunteer-led donor organization that, according to their website “enables women to combine charitable dollars into significant grants…

Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara Board Chair Jamie Dufek and Commission for Women (First District) Commissioner Geordie Scully

The Board of Supervisors of Santa Barbara County has adopted a resolution recognizing the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara (WFSB) as the 2023 Commission for Women Service Award Recipient for the First District.

The Commission for Women promotes the equitable and equal status, and well-being of women in Santa Barbara County. First District Commissioner Geordie Scully presented the award to WFSB Chair Jamie Dufek. Das Williams, Chair of the…

The Women's Fund of Santa Barbara (WFSB) announced that its members will soon vote to distribute a record $925,000 grants pool to local nonprofits this year. This brings the collective giving organization’s total giving to more than $10.4 million since it was formed in 2004.

"We're delighted to be reaching this major milestone after another record-breaking year of generosity from our members," said WFSB Board Chair Jamie Dufek. "The needs in south Santa Barbara County are greater than ever, and as the Women's Fund heads into our 20th anniversary year in 2024, we do so with more…

The Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara announces the election of its all-volunteer board of directors for 2023.  A giving circle that enables women to combine their charitable dollars into significant grants, the Women’s Fund has donated more than $9.56 million to local nonprofits since 2004. The grants address the critical needs of women, children, and families in south Santa Barbara County.

Elected to officer roles for the 1,100-member organization are Board Chair Jamie Dufek, Treasurer Kathy Dunlap, and Corporate Secretary Sabina White…

The Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara, a philanthropic giving circle, announced today its 2022 grants pool has reached $900,000, thanks to a record-breaking level of donations from its members. This is a $150,000 increase from the $750,000 awarded in 2021.

These funds will be used to award grants to local nonprofits in addressing the critical needs of women, children, and families in south Santa Barbara County. Including this year’s grants, the Women’s Fund will have granted more than $9.5 million in its 18-year history.

In March, the 1,163 members of The Women’s Fund will…

The Santa Barbara Public Library is reintroducing its bookmobile, now called Library on the Go, for the avid readers who have not been able to visit the library in person, largely due to the pandemic.

“With public health concerns over large gatherings likely to continue for some time, this model will also allow for expanded reach outside the library’s building,” said spokesperson Erick Mendez.

For the children of Santa Barbara, the arrival of the van is like a holiday. It’s loaded with custom book carts that can be pulled out and set up outside, with kids perusing rows of…

Nearly 50 Hope Ranch women are members of the Women's Fund of Santa Barbara, a volunteer-led, collective donor organization that enables women to combine their donations into significant grants addressing the critical needs of women, children and families in south Santa Barbara County.