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Santa Barbara Foundation

Grant Range
$2K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo

Santa Barbara Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Not publicly specified
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $50,000
  • Geographic Focus: Santa Barbara County, California

Contact Details

Overview

The Santa Barbara Foundation, established in 1928, is one of California's oldest community foundations with over 95 years of service to Santa Barbara County. As a comprehensive community foundation, they mobilize collective wisdom and philanthropic capital to build empathetic, inclusive, and resilient communities. The foundation manages donor funds and provides strategic grantmaking to local nonprofits, focusing on addressing the most pressing challenges facing Santa Barbara County residents. Their mission emphasizes collaboration, community impact, and building sustainable solutions through strategic philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation offers multiple targeted grant programs with specific focus areas and funding amounts:

Capacity Building

  • Small Capacity Building Grant: Up to $6,000 (one application per year allowed)

Community Support Programs

  • Behavioral Health/Health Care Grant: Up to $30,000 for up to two years
  • Food Grant Program: Up to $30,000 for up to two years
  • Shelter & Safety Grant: Up to $30,000 for up to two years
  • Senior Programs Grants: $2,000 - $15,000

Child Care & Youth

  • William and Lottie Daniel Child Care Scholarships: Up to $50,000
  • Child Care Grant: Up to $15,000 (for providers serving children 0-5)
  • Youth Mental Health Providers Recruit, Retain, Rest and Recuperation Fund: Amount varies

Arts & Environment

  • Towbes Fund for Performing Arts: Up to $15,000
  • Conservation, Environment and Public Trails Grant: Up to $25,000

Other Programs

  • Tri-Counties Blood Bank Grant Program: Amount varies
  • William and Lottie Daniel Scholarship: Amount varies

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on six strategic priority areas:

  • Child care access and quality
  • Workforce development
  • Housing affordability
  • Digital equity
  • Nonprofit organizational support and capacity building
  • Natural environment and conservation

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly detailed in available materials, the foundation primarily funds 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Santa Barbara County. Organizations should review specific program guidelines for eligibility requirements and restrictions.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership:

Key Program Staff:

  • Bridgette Bugay: Senior Program Officer - Food, Shelter & Safety, Housing Affordability, Conservation, Environment, and Health
  • Jamie Perez: Program Officer - Behavioral Health and Health Care
  • Deanna Vallejo: Senior Program Officer - Broad portfolio
  • Maria Caudillo: Capacity Building Programs (mcaudillo@sbfoundation.org)
  • Beatriz Garcia: Child Care Programs
  • Mary Robles: Senior Programs

The foundation maintains a commitment to transparency in operations and provides audited financial statements and IRS Form 990s publicly on their website.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Review available grant opportunities on the foundation's website
  2. Determine which program(s) align with your organization's needs
  3. Review specific guidelines and eligibility requirements for chosen program
  4. Contact the appropriate program officer to discuss your project
  5. Submit application through the online Nonprofit Grants Portal
  6. Applications must be submitted by specific deadlines for each program

Most applications are submitted online through their SmartSimple grants management system.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by program but typically range from 6-12 weeks after application deadlines. The foundation uses a rigorous review process involving research, planning, due diligence, and evaluation.

2026 Application Deadlines:

  • Small Capacity Building Grant: February 10, May 12, July 14, September 8
  • Behavioral Health/Health Care: March 3
  • Towbes Fund for Performing Arts: March and October cycles
  • William and Lottie Daniel Scholarship: April 28
  • Food Grant Program: April 28
  • Conservation, Environment and Public Trails: August 6
  • Shelter & Safety Grant: August 11
  • Tri-Counties Blood Bank Grant: August 28
  • Child Care Grant: September 1

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. Applicants are encouraged to contact program officers before applying to discuss project alignment and competitiveness.

Reapplication Policy

For the Small Capacity Building Grant, organizations can apply only once per calendar year. Other programs' reapplication policies should be confirmed with specific program officers.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's strategic approach and program structure, successful applications typically:

  • Clearly align with one of the foundation's six strategic priority areas
  • Demonstrate measurable community impact in Santa Barbara County
  • Show organizational capacity to effectively manage grant funds
  • Include collaboration with other organizations when appropriate
  • Address pressing community needs with innovative or evidence-based solutions
  • Provide clear metrics for evaluating success
  • Contact program officers before applying to ensure alignment and receive guidance
  • Submit complete applications well before deadlines through the online portal
  • Utilize the foundation's Collaboration for Social Impact resources for capacity building

The foundation also values organizations that can leverage their grants with other funding sources and demonstrate sustainability planning beyond the grant period.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Contact the specific program officer before applying - they are available to provide guidance and ensure alignment
  • Maximum grants range from $6,000 to $50,000 depending on the program, with most community grants capped at $30,000
  • The foundation operates multiple grant cycles throughout the year with fixed deadlines - plan accordingly
  • Focus on demonstrating clear impact within Santa Barbara County communities
  • Consider applying for capacity building grants to strengthen organizational infrastructure
  • The foundation emphasizes collaboration - partnerships with other nonprofits may strengthen applications
  • Online application through SmartSimple portal is required - ensure technical readiness

References

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