Funder Database 2024
Note: The Funder Database no longer has grant deadlines within the funder profiles. Deadlines can now ONLY be found on the grants tracker. Downloadable templates can now be found in Google Drive funder folders; links to folders can be found on the tracker and in each funder profile on the database. (Note that not all funders will have downloadable information available.)
The database below includes funder guidelines, up-to-date funder news, links to helpful documents like application templates, and examples of organizations supported by each funder.
Database info was updated in January 2024.
Description
The Common Grant Application was developed by the Foundation Roundtable at least 15 years ago as a labor-saving device for organizations seeking grants from multiple local foundations. As more funders move to online applications, the use of the CGA has declined, although it is still accepted by a handful of funders, including:
- James S. Bower Foundation (in lieu of LOI)
- Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation (as an upload to their online system)
- Crawford Idema Family Foundation
- Ann Jackson Family Foundation
- St. Francis Foundation
- Santa Ynez Valley Foundation
You can find a link to a Google Drive folder with the 2017 Common Grant Application below (still accepted as it rarely changes). The document does not include the financials in the Word document; those are provided in Excel in the folder as well. We strongly recommend using the Excel version of the financials because it makes the calculations for you. In Word it is very easy to make a mistake with the math. If you want to use Word for the financials for some reason, those can be found in the folder as well. At the end of the document, we have added a suggested attachments list that includes the required supporting documents for the CGA. Make sure to check if there are any specific additional requirements for each funder to whom you are applying.
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
Bank of the Sierra reviews applications quarterly. All applications must be submitted online.
Website
www.community.bankofthesierra.com/sierra-grant-program/
Description
The Sierra Grant Program focuses on funding programs that provide underprivileged children, families, and individuals with services that promote health and well-being in our communities, schools and community-based nonprofit organizations that enhance the educational development of local children, housing solutions for those in need, services that assist small businesses and small farms, and plans and services to improve areas with low-to-moderate income individuals and families.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Channel Island YMCA
- Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
- Housing Trust Fund of Santa Barbara County
Templates, Guidelines, and Other lnfo
Updates and Notices
To submit your LOI, go to the CONTACT page on their webstie and attach your letter. Hard copies sent by mail will not be considered. You must submit online.
Website
The Coeta and Donald Barker Foundation
Description
The Foundation funds registered 501(c) 3 nonprofit organizations devoted to education, culture, health care, and social services/civic. Mr. and Mrs. Barker were particularly interested in helping young people!
Applications for grants are by invitation only from the Foundation’s five-member Board of Trustees. No unsolicited applications are accepted. Letters of Intent/Inquiry (LOI) will be considered for registered 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organizations in our funding areas.
If invited, they consider applications submitted by April 1st and August 1st.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Alzheimer’s Association
- Family Service Agency
- Girls Inc of Carpinteris
- New Beginnings Counseling Center
- Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens
- Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
- Unity Shoppe
Templates, Guidelines, and Other lnfo
Updates and Notices
Website
http://www.jsbowerfoundation.org/
Description
The Foundation funds in the following categories: early years, later years, consciousness, environment, and community priorities. They like to have relationships with their grantees, so it makes sense to give the Foundation a call before applying.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- AIDS Housing Santa Barbara Inc
- CALM
- Carpinteria Education Foundation
- Center for Successful Aging
- Community Environmental Council
- Environmental Defense Center
- Family Therapy Institute
- Future Leaders of America
- Just Communities
- Santa Barbara Foundation/First Five of Santa Barbara County
- Storyteller
- Transition House
- Visiting Nurses & Hospice Care
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
7/2024: Please address requests and reports and communications regarding grants to Mayra Terrazas, Program Coordinator, at materrazas@chumash.gov. Teresa Sat has a new role within the organization.
2/2022: Teresa Sat is now the Senior Grant Programs Manager. Her contact info is tsat@sychumashfoundation.org.
Website
https://www.santaynezchumash.org/foundation
Description
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation funds a broad range of organizations, both through a grant funding stream and a sponsorship funding stream. The goal of our Foundation is to make the community it serves a better place for all of its residents, placing particular value on activities and programs that expand opportunities for the least advantaged, protect our environment or enhance the lives of youth.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- New House Santa Barbara
- Pacific Pride Foundation
- Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
Templates, Guidelines, and Other lnfo
Updates and Notices
N/A
Website
Description
The Foundation funds in the following priority areas:
Critical needs (food, shelter, etc.)
Substance abuse
Health services
LGBT
Environment
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Alzheimer’s Association
- Boys and Girls Club
- CASA
- Domestic Violence Solutions
- Easy Lift
- Family Services Agency
- Food Bank of Santa Barbara County
- Hospice of Santa Barbara
- Jodi House
- Pacific Pride Foundation
- Planned Parenthood
- Sarah House
- Transition House
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
N/A
Website
https://www.deckers.com/culture/community-involvement
Description
Deckers Brands support charities in Santa Barbara that focus on education, supporting underserved communities, uplifting youth, social and racial justice and the environment. Organization must be aligned with corporate social responsibility strategy on website.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- United Boys & Girls Clubs
- Direct Relief
- Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
- Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara County
- Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara County
- Surfrider Foundation
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
N/A
Website
https://www.dignityhealth.org/about-us/community-health/grant-programs/community-grants
Description
The Dignity Health Community Health Improvement Grants Program is funded by contributions from member hospitals across CA and the Southwest (North Santa Barbara local hospital partner is Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria). The project must address one or more prioritized significant needs in the local hospital’s Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and Implementation Strategy, as well as work with that hospital in some capacity. It also must include three or more collaborating organizations. Organizations must reach out to funder contact to receive grant application form.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County
- Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
1/2023: The foundation is once again requiring organizations to submit an LOI by 4/30. Full application is invite only.
Website
http://www.royandidaeaglefoundation.org/
Description
The Foundation emphasizes their giving in North County. From their website: Since its inception, the Foundation has invested in a wide range of non-profit organizations in the areas of Health and Human Services, Education, Wildlife and Domestic Animals, focusing primarily on Northern Santa Barbara County.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by This Funder
- Angels Foster Care
- Animal Shelter Assistance Program
- CALM
- Casa Serena
- Cuyama Valley Family Resource Center
- Family Services Agency
- Humane Society Santa Maria
- New House Santa Barbara
- Orcutt Area Seniors Center
- Santa Maria YMCA
- Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
- United Boys and Girls Club, Lompoc
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
See grant tracker for 2024 grant deadlines.
Website
https://www.fundforsantabarbara.org/
Description
The Fund for Santa Barbara funds social justice efforts–NOT direct service programs. Their motto is “change, not charity.” From their website: The Fund is dedicated to finding solutions to current and emerging social problems and issues that challenge our society as a whole. The Fund believes that significant social changes ultimately require broad participation in a democratic control of all social and economic institutions. Historically, social conditions improve most dramatically when people organize on their own behalf, form alliances with other like-minded people & organizations, and build coalitions to confront and change the conditions that have denied them access, equity, and justice.
The Fund gives preference to projects working to address the root causes of social, economic, environmental and political problems. The Fund provides seed grants to new grassroots projects, general support or project grants to small organizations, and targeted grants to larger, more established organizations. See website for specific grant opportunities.
Other Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by This Funder
- Alternatives to Violence Project
- Association of Mexican American Educators
- CAUSE
- City at Peace
- Future Leaders of America
- Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center
- Importa
- Just Communities
- La Casa de la Raza
- Legal Aid Foundation
- Lideres Campesinas
- Freedom4Youth
- Pacific Pride Foundation
- Santa Barbara Beekeepers Association
Guidelines, Templates, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
1/16/2017: Per conversation with June Sochel, the Gildea Foundation will be inactive for the foreseeable future. One trustee died and others have resigned, so a new structure is being developed. They don’t know what the new structure will look like.
Website
N/A
Description
The Gildea Foundation’s mission is to make a significant contribution to Santa Barbara County through involvement in projects focusing on the natural environment and the well being of our senior citizens.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Bicycle Coalition
- Casa Esperanza
- Community Environmental Council
- Environmental Defense Center
- Family Service Agency
- Goleta Valley Community Center
- Los Padres Forest Watch
- Organic Soup Kitchen
- Pacific Pride Foundation
- Social Venture Partners
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
Website
None.
Description
The Bull Foundation does not publish any information about their funding priorities. They seem to fund a variety of organizations, from health to animals to historical to the arts. In 2016, out of a total of 85 grants awarded, only 18 were to organizations in Santa Barbara. Their grants are in the $2,500 range, with only a handful being $5,000 or more.
See the funder folder for current guidelines.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Family Service Agency
- Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra
- Cottage Hospital
- SEE International
- Santa Barbara Athletic Roundtable
- Teddy Bear Cancer Foundaton
- Mental Wellness Center
- Maritime Museum
- American Heart Association
- Friendship Adult Day Care Center
- CADA
- Goleta Valley Historical Society
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
Website
http://www.hindfoundation.org/
Description
The Hind Foundation funds community-based projects and programs that encourage people to work together to build an enduring legacy for future generations. Funding categories include music and visual arts, plant and wildlife protection, land conservation, historical landmark restoration, and ecosystem conservation. They have standard grants (their largest program), supplemental grants (up to $2,500), and continuing education grants for those involved in non-profits (up to $1,000).
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Lobero Theatre
- Music Academy of the West
- Santa Barbara Zoo
- Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens
- Santa Barbara Museum of Art
- Santa Maria Valley Humane Society
- Ensemble Theatre Company
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
1/2024: See website or grant tracker for info on 2024 fall and spring grant cycles and media grants.
For media grants this year, they will be awarding the following:
SB Independent: 4 total, one per quarter
Noozhawk: 2 total, 1st and 4th quarter
Santa Maria Sun: 6 total, one per quarter and an additional one in the 1st and 4th quarter
Website
Description
General Priorities:
Hutton Parker Foundation strives to provide organizational sustainability to community-based nonprofit organizations throughout Santa Barbara County and to assist agencies in achieving their highest level of performance and delivery of services resulting in stronger, more efficient communities for all. The Foundation also specializes in providing quality office space for local area nonprofit organizations through the acquisition and development of commercial real estate properties.
Special Interests:
- Arts & Culture
- Education
- Health & Human Services
- Civic & Community
More information can be found at their website.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Academy of Healing Arts for Teens
- Boxtales Theatre Company
- California Academy Foundation
- Child Abuse Listening Mediation
- Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
- Cuyama Valley Family Resource Center
- Ganna Walska Lotusland
- Girls Incorporated of Carpinteria
- Just Communities
- Opera Santa Barbara
- Pathpoint
- Sansum Diabetes Research Institute
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
- Santa Barbara New House
- Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society
- Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
- Transition House
- Wilderness Youth Project
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
2/2022: Per Sarah Savage at the Foundation, for requests under $10,000, please submit a 1-page letter of request. For requests $10,000+, please submit the common grant application. See grant tracker for fall and spring deadlines.
Website
http://www.annjacksonfamilyfoundation.org/
Description
The Jackson Foundation funds a wide variety of organizations.
This is from their website:
The Foundation considers proposals from non-profit organizations that provide services to Santa Barbara County, primarily in the South County. The Foundation does not restrict grants based on non-profit sector, but has focused on organizations that have been providing services to Santa Barbara for the long term. The Foundation supports organizations in the areas of Health and Human Services, The Arts, Community and Civic Infrastructure and Education. The Foundation primarily funds capital, operating and program grants, but in rare instances endowment grants may be considered. The Foundation occasionally supports organizations outside of Santa Barbara County at the request of trustees. However, unsolicited proposals from organizations providing services outside of Santa Barbara County will not be considered.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Adventures in Caring
- Alpha Resource Center
- Camerata Pacifica
- Cancer Center
- Cate School
- Lobero Theatre
- Music Academy of the West
- Planned Parenthood
- Santa Barbara Museum of Art
- Storyteller
- Transition House
- Wilderness Youth Project
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
Michael Cooney, Trustee: (805) 969-1182
Website
Description
LaCentra-Sumerlin Foundation funds quality programs that educate and enhance the lives and well-being of children and the underprivileged. They prefer to fund programs in Carpinteria.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- CALM
- Casa Esperanza
- Carpinteria Children’s Project
- Carpinteria Education Foundation
- Family Services Agency
- Pacific Pride Foundation (HIV programs)
- Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics
- Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
3/2024: The Latkin Foundation portal is now managed by US Bank. Please see website link below. They are no longer requiring an invitation code to apply. New applicants should contact Stephanie Eubanks (Stephanie.Eubanks@usbank.com) to ensure they are a fit with the foundation prior to applying. Application deadlines will still be 3/31 and 9/30.
Website
https://webportalapp.com/sp/gertrude_latkin_foundation
Description
The Herbert and Gertrude Latkin Charitable Foundation was created for the purpose of promoting the health and welfare of the elderly, preventing cruelty to animals, providing educational scholarships for deserving college students, providing emergency medical service for persons suffering as a result of calamity or disaster, preventing child abuse and providing assistance to the needy.
You can call Stephanie Eubanks at the Foundation for more information: (805) 884-8638
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Casa Serena
- Domestic Violence Solutions
- Family Services Agency
- Food Bank of Santa Barbara County
- Friendship Adult Daycare Center
- Jodi House
- New Beginnings
- Pacific Pride Foundation
- Santa Barbara Rescue Mission
- Storyteller
- Transition House
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
1/2023: Limoneira still requires their application to be uploaded online. They are also making it very clear that they are only funding programs that impact Ventura County. They say to not apply for Santa Barbara programs.
Website
https://vccf.org/nonprofits/#grant-process
Description
This fund is administered through the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF). This is from the VCCF website:
The Limoneira Company has been building and sustaining community for almost 125 years. We fund education, health and human services, industry, community, cultural events and projects that make the areas in which we live and work more vibrant and sustainable. Since 2009, the company has given over $2,500,000 to support schools and community and industry organizations in Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Tulare counties, and Yuma, Arizona. The Board of the Limoneira Foundation Fund may solicit or recommend grants outside of these funding priorities and/or with broader geographic focus.
They make it very clear that they are only funding programs that impact Ventura County. They say to not apply for Santa Barbara programs.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES:
Qualified charitable organizations seeking program or project support and completing this application:
Must be a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit community based organization, school, or other agency providing a public benefit.
Must have an active Board of Directors.
Must demonstrate financial viability and capacity to conduct the project to be funded.
Funds will not be granted for religious activities, or for partisan or political purposes.
Non-charitable organizations seeking event funding should apply through a separate application available at the Limoneira Company website at www.limoneira.com.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Girls Inc. of Carpinteria
- Boys and Girls Club
- Casa Pacifica
- Healthcare Foundation Ventura County
- United Way of Ventura County
- Ventura Family YMCA
More grantees are listed here: https://limoneira.com/philanthropy/
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
01/2024: The McCune Foundation is now using an online portal. See their website for instructions.
Website
Description
The Foundation supports grassroots groups with a strong community base that are addressing critical issues in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties through community organizing strategies. We fund projects that mobilize affected populations to create social and economic justice. Projects should be initiated and led by economically and politically disenfranchised groups including low-income, working poor, and marginalized individuals. Empowerment of the economically and politically marginalized and inclusion of such people in an organization’s leadership structure is a requirement for funding.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Coalition for Sustainable Transportation (COAST)
- Food & Water Watch
- Just Communities Central Coast
- Pacific Pride Foundation
- Peoples’ Self-Help Housing
North County:
- Central Coast Future Leaders
- Guadalupe Kids Come First Foundation
- Leading from Within
- Transitions-Mental Health Association
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
Website
https://montecito.bank/community-dividends
Description
Montecito Bank & Trust focuses on programs that primarily serve low- and moderate-income people. They also consider programs that serve the arts, education, and health and social welfare.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- AHA! (Attitude. Harmony. Achievement.)
- Arthritis Foundation
- Cornerstone House of Santa Barbara
- Elings Park Foundation
- Friends of the Goleta Valley Library
- Girls Rock Santa Barbara
- Hillside House
- LifeChronicles
- Music Academy of the West
- New Beginnings Counseling Center
- Notes for Notes
- Pacific Pride Foundation
- PathPoint
- Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Corporation
- Santa Barbara Middle School
- Santa Barbara Museum of Art
- Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
- Transition House
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
1/2022: Mosher Foundation is currently invite only. An organization that they have not funded in the past may submit a one-page letter introducing the group. Letters should be sent to:
info@mosherfdn.com
or
Mosher Foundation
PO Box 1079
Santa Barbara, CA 93102
Website
http://www.mosherfoundation.org/
Description
The Mosher Foundation is strategically focused on supporting the programs of organizations whose work is focused exclusively within the areas of education, healthcare or performing arts in South Santa Barbara County.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy
- Music Academy of the West
- Cancer Center of Santa Barbara
- Alzheimers Association
- Angels Foster Care
- CAMA
- Casa del Herrero Foundation
- Direct Relief
- Ensemble Theatre
- Food from the Heart
- Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
- Lotusland
- Girls, Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara
- Isla Vista Youth Projects
- Jodi House
- KCRW
- Kids Helping Kids Foundation
- Leading from Within
- MOXI
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Opera Santa Barbara
- Santa Barbara Choral Society
- Santa Barbara Education Foundation
- Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
- Santa Barbara Zoo
- Storyteller
- Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care
- Wildlife Care Network
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
1/2020: The Neil Foundation has ceased all operations as of December 31, 2019.
Website
Description
The Neil Foundation has ceased all operations as of December 31, 2019.
The Neil Foundation funded a variety of organizations with an emphasis on the following:
- Essential services like food, shelter, and medical care
- Medical research and disease prevention
- Environmental protection
- Literacy
- Reproductive health care
- Youth and family services
- Prevention of cruelty to children and animals
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Alzheimer’s Association
- Friendship Center
- Hospice of Santa Barbara
- Pacific Pride Foundation
- Planned Parenthood
- Sarah House
- Storyteller
- Transition House
- YMCA Youth and Family Services
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
Website
http://www.newhallfoundation.org
Description
From their website:
The mission of the Newhall Foundation is to improve the quality of life within the communities associated with the career and legacy of California pioneer Henry Mayo Newhall. These communities include San Francisco, the Santa Clarita Valley of Los Angeles County and the Santa Maria Valley in central California.
Funding Priorities:
The Foundation accepts proposals on a continuing basis for the following program priorities:
-
- Academic and cultural enrichment programs for children and youth (e.g., math and science; fine and visual arts; performing arts; computer literacy; tutoring and mentoring).
- Agriculture, animal welfare and conservation programs.
- College scholarship programs.
- Historical preservation programs.
- Outreach programs for the disadvantaged (e.g., homeless shelters, food banks, health centers, domestic violence shelters, care for the elderly).
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Boxtales Theatre Company
- Boys and Girls Club Santa Maria Valley
- Central Coast Rescue Mission
- CALM
- Community Counseling Center
- Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
- Future Leaders of America
- Just Communities
- Land Conservancy
- Oasis Senior Center
- Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
- Santa Maria Humane Society
- Santa Maria YMCA
- Transitions Mental Health
- Women’s Economic Ventures
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
1/2022: Tori Moray is no longer the contact for Outhwaite Foundation. Please direct communications to Brittany at brittany@outhwaitefoundation.org.
Website
http://www.outhwaitefoundation.org/
Description
The Outhwaite Foundation funds a variety of organizations. Per their guidelines, they focus on the following:
- Medical Care, Support and Research
- Assistance to the Disabled, Elderly and Children
- Support to Abused Women and Children
- Animal Welfare
- Wildlife and Natural Resources Preservation
- Historic Preservation.
- Support of Museums and Educational Institutions
Priority consideration is given to projects located in Southern Santa Barbara County.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Casa Serena
- Community Environmental Council
- Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
- Land Trust for Santa Barbara County
- Pacific Pride Foundation
- Planned Parenthood
- Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
- Storyteller
- Transition House
- Wilderness Youth Project
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
1/9/2017: Per Denise Williams, potential applicants should email dwilliams@missionlinen.com before applying. The foundation is committed to their current grantees and want to make sure any applicants are qualified before they apply.
Website
NOTE: Their website does not have information about applying because they require you to contact them before submitting an application.
Description
They fund programs that support children and youth. From their website: A non-profit foundation, with a sole purpose of contributing to local charities focused on the development of young children. We are dedicated in helping build a better future for young children. The primary mission of the foundation is to provide better opportunities to underprivileged youth so they can succeed and become valuable members of the community.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara
- Family Services Agency
- Food Bank of Santa Barbara County
- Page Youth Center
- Santa Barbara Rescue Mission
- Storyteller
- Transition House
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
Website
Description
The Santa Barbara Bowl deeply values the performing arts and is dedicated to ensuring all students have access to arts education. The Bowl’s Outreach program directly invests in youth performing arts in our community.
In 2022, Outreach supported 73 organizations and schools throughout Santa Barbara County by providing more than $510,000 in funding and resources.
Please note:
- Organization and/or program should be focused on performing arts education for students in grades K – High School.
- The Bowl supports programs within Santa Barbara County. No exceptions can be made to geographic scope.
- Applicants must be a non-profit organization with tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3); or an individual artist; or have a confirmed fiscal sponsorship with a registered 501(c)(3) organization.
Please contact Outreach Program Manager, Lyndsay Cooke at Lyndsay@sbbowl.com for questions or more information.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
AHA!
- Arts Mentorship Program
Boxtales Theatre Company
- Carpinteria Arts Center
Everybody Dance Now!
Flamenco SB
- Notes for Notes
- Orcutt Children’s Art Foundation
- Public schools throughout Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara Philharmonic Society
- Spotlight Kids Camp
- The Turner Foundation
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
01/2024: Updates to the SBF Small Capacity Grant this year:
1.) There will only be five deadlines this year: 2/13, 4/9, 6/11, 8/13, and 10/8. They now fall on the SECOND Tuesday of the month.
2.) The maximum award amount is now $6,000.
The next Behavioral Health/Healthcare, Food, and Shelter & Safety grant cycle will open in early 2024.
Website
Description
See their website for all the information you need!
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Animal Shelter Assistance Program of Santa Barbara
- Boys & Girls Clubs
- Channel Islands YMCA
- Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County (CAC)
- Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse
- Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County
- Elings Park Foundation
- Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara
- Future Leaders of America
- Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara
- Hillside House
- Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara
- Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization
- Organic Soup Kitchen
- PATH Santa Barbara
- Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Inc.
- Santa Barbara Channelkeeper
- Santa Barbara County Arts Fund
- Santa Barbara Courthouse Legacy Foundation
- Santa Barbara Education Foundation
- Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
- Santa Barbara New House
- Santa Barbara Police Activities League
- Santa Maria Public Library Foundation
- Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara
- Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
- Transition House
- United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County
- Wildling Museum
- Women’s Economic Ventures
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
Website
Description
The Office of Arts and Culture has offered these grant opportunities in the past.
Arts Making Impact (formerly Community Arts Enrichment) The Arts Making Impact grant program (formerly CEA program) is a partnership between the County Arts Commission and the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation and is intended to support artists and arts and cultural organizations by funding projects and a variety of activities that enrich the lives of residents in communities throughout Santa Barbara County. Grant Requests Range: $500 to $5,000. This grant was cancelled in 2020.
Disaster Relief Grants for Small Arts Groups (New in 2019): The County of Santa Barbara has established the Santa Barbara County Disaster Relief Grant program to provide relief to Santa Barbara County artists and nonprofits who have sustained economic losses as a result of the Thomas Fire and/or 1/9 Debris Flow. This grant is made possible through funding support of the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council, and the County of Santa Barbara. The goal of this grant program is to help artists and small nonprofit organizations (with an annual operating budget less than $500,000) located in areas of Santa Barbara County that were impacted by the Thomas Fire and/or 1/9 Debris Flow with basic and arts-related needs. Eligible impacted areas of Santa Barbara County are Carpinteria, Summerland, Montecito and Santa Barbara.
Community Arts Grant Program: The City of Santa Barbara’s Community Arts Re-Granting Program (CA) funds grant requests that provide small-scale projects and programs for under-served communities, children and youth. Often, projects supported by Community Arts grants occur one time only and are not offered on an ongoing basis. The maximum amount of a Community Arts Grant is $6,000.
Organizational Development Grant Program: The City of Santa Barbara’s Organizational Development Re-Granting Program (OD) grants public funding to local arts organizations for arts programs. The applicants to this program are representative of a diverse cross-section of arts organizations, including multicultural and neighborhood arts programs. Organizational Development grants will support operational, marketing and promotional expenses, or emergency contingency planning for organizations. The maximum award for the OD grant is $18,000
Community Event and Festivals Grant Program: The City of Santa Barbara Community Events & Festivals Re-Granting Program (EF) grants funds to local organizations for promotional development. The applicants to this program demonstrate the ability to provide events and festivals which contribute to the cultural vitality and promotion of the City of Santa Barbara. The maximum award for the EF grant is $20,000.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
OD/CA/EF Grants:
- American Dance an Music
- Art Without Limits
- Arts for Humanity
- Arts Mentorship
- Center Stage Theater
- Boxtales Theatre Company
- Children’s Creative Project
- Camerata Pacifica
- City at Peace
- Community Arts Music Association
- Ensemble Theater Company
- Everybody Dance Now!
- Explore Ecology
- Flamenco Arts Festival
- Friends of the East Side Library
- Lobero Theatre Foundation
- Santa Barbara Ed Foundation
- State St. Ballet
- Summerdance Santa Barbara
- Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara
- SM Museum of Art
- SB Arts Collaborative
- SB Historical Foundation
- SB Dance Institute
AMI Grants:
- Blue Sky Center
- Carpinteria Arts Center
- Girls Rock Santa Barbara
- Lompoc Music Association
- Ruben Espinoza Artist
- Santa Barbara Dance Institute
- Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra
- The Arts Fund
- TVSB
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
3/2024: The new contact is Esther Jacobsen Bates, Administrator. The email and phone number remain the same.
Email: syvf@verizon.net
Phone: 805-688-2991
The Santa Ynez Valley Foundation evaluates grant requests in January, April, July, and October of each year. Completed applications must be received by the first Wednesday of a grant making month. Updated info about Eligibility & FAQs on their website.
Website
www.syvalleyfoundation.org/grants
Description
The Santa Ynez Valley Foundation partners with the community to enhance the quality of life in the Santa Ynez Valley and Los Alamos. This foundation accepts proposals submitted via the Common Grant Application. The grants serve as a force multiplier, making a positive difference in the lives of people in the Santa Ynez Valley and Los Alamos. Focus areas include health & human services, youth, arts & culture, seniors, and education.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Angels Foster Care
- Allan Hancock College Promise Program
- Atterdag at Home
- Bethania Preschool and After School Care
- CALM
- Feed the Valley
- Friendship House
- Nature Track
- SBCEO Teachers Network
- Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden
- Santa Ynez Valley Children’s Museum
- Santa Ynez Valley Community Outreach
- Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum
- Santa Ynez Valley Master Chorale
- Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program
- Solvang School Education Foundation
- Solvang Theaterfest
- Solvang Senior Center
- Stuart C. Gildred YMCA
- The Los Alamos Foundation
- Veggie Rescue
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
Website
None
Description
The Mark and Dorothy Smith Foundation makes distributions for religious, educational, artistic, and medical purposes that enhance the quality of life in Santa Barbara County and neighboring communities. They typically fund North County programs.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- New House Santa Barbara
- Partners in Housing Solutions
- Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
01/2024: Their grant deadline will be in fall 2024. Keep checking VCCF website for info.
Website
The Smith Hobson Foundation Fund is administered through the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF). Here is VCCF website: https://vccf.org/nonprofits/#grant-process
Description
The Smith-Hobson Foundation supports arts and cultural projects (including museums/historical societies, fine and performing arts, and arts education and access), in western Ventura County. The board of the Smith-Hobson Foundation may solicit or recommend grants outside of these funding priorities and/or with broader geographic focus; such grants will be solicited directly by the Smith-Hobson Foundation.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
10/2024: The St. Francis Foundation has updated their grants process. They now require organizations who have not received funding before to submit an LOI. LOIs are due January 10, 2025. Please see their website for full details for 2025: https://stfrancisfoundationsb.org/how-to-apply-for-a-grant/
Website
http://www.stfrancisfoundationsb.org/
Description
From their website:
The mission of the St. Francis Foundation of Santa Barbara is to promote and support healthcare in the St. Francis tradition in the Santa Barbara South Coast community, with particular attention to those most in need.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- New Beginnings Counseling Center
- The Cecilia Fund
- Cottage Health Parish Nursing and Palliative Care Programs
- Doctors without Walls
- Family Service Agency
- Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
- Friendship Center
- Jodi House
- Pacific Pride Foundation
- Pathpoint
- People’s Self-Help Housing
- Sarah House
- Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
- Willbridge
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
N/A
Website
The Swift Memorial Healthcare Foundation is administered through the Ventura County Community Foundation. Here is the VCCF website: https://vccf.org/nonprofits/#grant-process
Description
Swift Memorial Healthcare Foundation awards grants to agencies that provide health services to Ventura County residents.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Planned Parenthood of Santa Barbara
- Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
Guidelines, Templates, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
N/A
Website
http://www.smtfoundation.org/home.html
Description
The Mark S. Taper Foundation is based in Los Angeles and funds organizations in Southern California (including Santa Barbara County). They typically funds organizations that work in the following fields: Arts, Civic Affairs, Education, Environment, Health and Social Services. A past grantee is not eligible for three grant cycles immediately following the year in which they received their grant.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Pathpoint
- Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
- Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
- Ventura Bike
- Volunteers Assisting the Elderly (Ventura)
- Veggie Rescue (Santa Ynez)
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
1/2017: From an email from John Ostler, Trustee: The Thomson Foundation is invitation only and generally does not accept unsolicited applications. The Foundation has different grant tiers depending on the grantee, project and the foundation’s program priorities, so different organizations are invited to apply for different amounts. Generally, the range is between $5-$25k. Moreover, while the Foundation has a spring and fall grant cycle, the deadlines for those cycles vary depending on a number of different factors so I cannot provide you with firm deadline dates for either cycle. Generally they are in April and October.
Website
Description
The Thomson Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. You must contact John Ostler (john.w.ostler@bofa.com) for permission to submit an application.
From their guidelines:
The Walter J. & Holly O. Thomson Foundation seeks to make life better for residents of Santa Barbara County and downtown area of Los Angeles, California by focusing on six broad areas: animal-related issues, arts and culture, education, the environment, health care, and human services.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara
- Community Arts Music Association
- Land Trust for Santa Barbara County
- Lobero Theatre
- Music Academy of the West
- Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
- Santa Barbara Rescue Mission
- Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara
- Transition House
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
7/2024 In recent years, The Towbes Foundation afforded grant applicants the opportunity to respond to questions and provide additional information after submitting their grant application when requested. Starting this upcoming August grant cycle, they ask that applicants submit their applications by the 15th of the grant cycle month if they want the opportunity to respond to potential questions.
1/2022: The Towbes Foundation has launched a new website which outlines in detail their updated deadlines, guidelines, and eligibility requirements. Please contact Kristen at ksullivan@towbesfoundation.org if you have further questions after consulting the website.
1/2019: Towbes has updated their address and phone number to:
PO Box 20130, Santa Barbara, CA 93120-0130
805-690-4603 (voicemail only, email is preferred contact method)
4/6/18: Here is a bit more information about what kinds of arts application the Towbes Foundation will accept vs. the Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts. This is from an email from Kristen Sullivan:
As a general rule of thumb, if it is mostly educational, it would go to The Towbes Foundation, and if it’s mostly performance, it would go to TFPA. We’re working closely with SBF to ensure that the applicants get to the right foundation for consideration. If an organization has a question, they can definitely contact us to see which one to apply to. Otherwise, if an organization happens to apply to one that is a better fit for the other, we will work that out between the foundations internally. Typically, the foundations that have been receiving funds from TFPA should continue to apply to TFPA.
Description
Please see The Towbes Foundation website for more context.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Boys and Girls Club
- Casa Serena
- Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center
- Hospice of Santa Barbara
- Pacific Pride Foundation
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
06/2024: The Tuohy Foundation launched a new website with updated guidelines and FAQs. They no longer require organizations to submit LOIs or be invited to apply. The application opens in their online portal from July 1st to September 15th.
01/2024: Angela Schmidt is no longer with the Foundation. The new contact is Joe Cole. The email address remains the same: info@tuohyfoundation.org.
08/2023: NOTICE of a few things:
* The Tuohy Foundation does not want ANYTHING mailed to them, including hand written thank you cards, invitations to events, or grant reports! Everything must be emailed to info@tuohyfoundation.org. Make sure to remove them from your mailing list.
* In June, once you get your grant check, make sure to email Joe a thank you letter or receipt that includes the amount of the check, what it’s going to be used for, and a signature.
* DO NOT EXPEND the grant funds until you actually receive the check. Even though the grant is awarded in January and you sign the agreement, they do not want you to expend the funds until you have the money in-hand.
* You must submit your report for your most recent grant before they will send your check for the new grant, should it be awarded.
Website
Description
The Alice Tweed Tuohy Foundation funds capital projects for youth, education, health, community, recreation, and the arts on Santa Barbara’s South Coast (Carpinteria to Isla Vista).
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Alzheimers Association
- CALM
- Casa Serena
- Family Services Agency
- Food Bank of Santa Barbara County
- Foundation for Santa Barbara City College
- Girls Inc. of Santa Barbara
- Land Trust for Santa Barbara County
- Pathpoint
- Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
- Santa Barbara Zoo
- Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens
- Scholarship Foundation
- St. Vincent’s
- Storyteller
- Transition House
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
3/2023: Union Bank has merged with US Bank. Starting this year, organizations will apply through US Bank community grants (see separate funder entry).
For 2022 grantees, Union Bank will reach out to those awarded $5,000 or more to request a report. Timeline TBD.
3/2022: Randy Weiss retired from Union Bank, and Susan Cavalli is now the main contact. Her email is Susan.Cavalli@unionbank.com
Website
Description
From their website:
Throughout its history, the MUFG Union Bank Foundation has supported the bank’s commitment to help meet the needs of the communities it serves.
Our Vision
We strive to build a charitable contributions program that positions the MUFG Union Bank Foundation as an innovator of partnerships and a grant-maker intent on helping to create and sustain healthy communities.
Our Mission
We proactively invest in the communities in which we operate, targeting resources to benefit low- to moderate-income populations.
The Foundation provides grants and event sponsorships. Corporate sponsorship applications are also available on the website.
Categories of interest include:
- Affordable Housing
- Community Economic Development
- Education
- Environment
- Human Services
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Santa Barbara Channelkeeper
- Child Abuse Listening Mediation Inc
- Devereux Foundation
- Environmental Defense Center
- Family Services Agency Of Santa Barbara
- Academy Of Healing Arts For Teens (Aha!) Inc
- Women’s Economic Ventures Of Santa Barbara
- Transition House
- Domestic Violence Solutions For Santa Barbara County
- Foodbank Of Santa Barbara County
- Santa Barbara Public Library
- Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra Foundation
- Girls For Greater Santa Barbara
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
3/2023: Union Bank has merged with US Bank. Starting this year, organizations will apply through US Bank community grants.
The contact is Anabel Santamaria, Community Affairs Manager – Orange County, Santa Barbara, and Ventura; 626-755-8924; anabel.santamaria@usbank.com.
Organizations now need to make sure they fall into one of their three funding pillars. If they do, they have to submit a grant interest form to be considered for funding. Deadline is rolling/you will be given a deadline if you are invited to apply after you fill out that form.
Website
https://www.usbank.com/about-us-bank/community/community-possible-grant-program.html
Description
At U.S. Bank, we are dedicated to supporting our communities through responsive and humbled actions focused on addressing racial and economic inequities and creating lasting change in our communities. Through our Community Possible Grant Program, we are partnering with organizations that focus on economic and workforce advancement, safe and affordable housing and communities connected through arts and culture.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
US Bank Google Drive Folder (formerly Union Bank)
Updates and Notices
New applicants should reach out to Claudette (claudette@volentine.org) before applying.
1/2017: In award letters the Foundation requests the current year’s 990 and financials be forwarded to the foundation as soon as they are available. Per Claudette Sabiron, it is fine to send these documents in with your next application in April. If you don’t apply again, make sure you send in the documents as soon as they are available.
Website
Description
The Volentine Foundation funds organizations that offer education/scholarships, serve youth, provide substance abuse services, and serve the community through helping families and individuals.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Casa Serena
- Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
- Domestic Violence Solutions
- Family Services Agency
- New House Santa Barbara
- Page Youth Center
- Santa Barbara City College
- Santa Barbara Rescue Mission
- Santa Barbara Zoo
- Transition House
- Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
4/1/2019: Weingart has ended its grant program in SB to focus more deeply on needs in LA and closer communities.
Website
http://www.weingartfnd.org/home
Description
The Weingart Foundation believes in inclusion and opportunity for all Southern Californians, and especially for people and communities at greatest disadvantage. Therefore, all of their grantmaking is based on their commitment to advance social and economic equity. For the Weingart Foundation, equity means expanding opportunity by correcting the imbalances they see across racial, ethnic, and socio-economic lines in our education, health, human services, economic, and criminal justice systems.
The Foundation provides grants and other support designed to improve the capacity and effectiveness of nonprofit organizations working to provide greater access, resources, and opportunities in low-income communities in the areas of health, education and human services. They support organizations focused on communities facing the greatest barriers, particularly those due to income level, race, gender, immigration status, disability, age, sexual orientation, or zip code.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- CAUSE
- Conflict Solutions Center of Santa Barbara County
- Fund For Santa Barbara Inc
- Future Leaders of America
- Mental Health Association in Santa Barbara County
- Pacific Pride Foundation
- Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics
- Santa Barbara New House
- Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
- Transition House
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
1/9/2017:
Per Jean Pettitt, the Wharton Foundation will be moving to Arizona and will no longer be funding new projects in Santa Barbara.
Website
Description
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
Guidelines, Templates, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
1/2023: Anita Balboa has retired from Williams-Corbett Foundation, and the new contact is Chris Morales. His contact info is as follows:
805-884-4313
cnm1@ntrs.com
9/2016: Per email from Anita Balboa, Foundation Administrator, they will accept applications via email as long as all documents are combined into one PDF and the letter is on applicant letterhead.
Website
Description
The Williams-Corbett Foundation funds a wide variety of organizations, but they like to fund non-recurring expenses. This is from their guidelines:
The mission of the Williams-Corbett Foundation is to provide grants to non-profit organizations for capital projects, start-up programs, and non-recurring expenses with a focus on youth, elderly, health, education, and other special human needs of the Santa Barbara community and surrounding areas.
Examples of Santa Barbara County Organizations Funded by This Funder
- Adventures in Caring
- Boxtales Theatre Company
- Domestic Violence Solutions
- Jodi House
- Lobero Theatre
- New House Santa Barbara
- Transition House
- Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
- Unity House
- Westmont College
- Wilderness Youth Project
Guidelines, Templates, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
1/2022: The WCF is not accepting new applicants for the foreseeable future. They define new organizations as organizations that may have applied for a grant, but have been denied in the last 1-2+ years or organizations that have never applied for a grant from the WCF.
6/2020: The WCF has not been immune to the economic downturn (COVID-19 recession) and funding will be impacted. The devastating crash of the oil industry (the WCF’s primary source of income) this year has also drastically reduced the amount of funds available for the WCF’s 2020-2021 grant program, more than previous years. Any COVID-19 specific grants awarded by the WCF will likely focus on health and public safety (emergency services and healthcare response. Social services and support areas may increase in importance once the immediate health threat subsides.
Website
http://www.woodclaeyssensfoundation.org/
Description
The Wood-Claeyssens Foundation funds a very wide variety of organizations.
From their website:
Through its grant-making to various nonprofit organizations, the Wood-Claeyssens Foundation enables those in need to acquire the basic necessities of life – food, clothing, shelter, social services, public safety, and self-actualization – and to enhance their quality of living. The Wood-Claeyssens Foundation believes in anonymous giving and strategic philanthropy, maximizing its impact in the community through its careful selection of qualified grantees. The Foundation hopes to serve as a pillar of support for the nonprofit sector, assisting nonprofits in fulfilling their missions by offering funding to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- AIDS Housing Santa Barbara
- Alan Hancock College
- Alliance for the Arts
- American Heart Association
- Boys and Girls Club
- Braille Institute
- CARE 4 Paws
- Cancer Center
- DRI
- Family Services Agency
- Planned Parenthood
- Santa Barbara Zoo
- Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
- Transition House
- Wildling Art Museum
- Wilderness Youth Project
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Updates and Notices
N/A
Website
edwinandjeannewoodsfamilyfoundation.org/about-us/
Description
The Foundation was formed in 2004 to help support charitable endeavors in Northern Santa Barbara and Southern San Luis Obispo counties, with an emphasis on cultural enrichment and educational programs, animal welfare, healthcare and assistance to the underserved. Note that first time applicants must send an LOI to the foundation before submitting a full application.
Examples of Santa Barbara Organizations Funded by this Funder
- Boys and Girls Club of Mid-Central Coast
- Child Abuse Listening Mediation (CALM)
- CARE4Paws
- Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley
- New Beginnings
- Pacific Pride
- Partners in Housing Solutions
- People’s Self-Help Housing
- Santa Maria Valley YMCA
Templates, Guidelines, and Other Info
Edwin and Jeanne Woods Family Foundation Google Drive Folder