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Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara

Annual Giving
$3.5M
Grant Range
$5K - $8.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3.5 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $8,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Santa Barbara County, California
  • Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Website: https://cfsb.org/

Phone: (805) 898-2116

Address: 601 W. Junipero Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Executive Director: Lori Willis

Overview

Founded in 1949 by Lillian and Elisha Converse, the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara is the leading non-profit fundraising and grant-making institution dedicated to cancer care in Santa Barbara County. With annual giving of approximately $3.5 million (2024), the foundation serves as the largest contributor to Ridley-Tree Cancer Center and supports cancer-related programs throughout the county. The organization commits a minimum of 85% of proceeds to Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, with up to 15% supporting other cancer-related programs in the community. In 2024, the foundation celebrated its 75th anniversary with a sold-out lecture featuring Nobel Laureate Jennifer Doudna, reinforcing its reputation as a Four-Star rated charity by Charity Navigator with a 100% score.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Major Institutional Support

  • Ridley-Tree Cancer Center: $3.5 million annually - Supports comprehensive cancer care programs including genetic counseling, oncology nutrition, patient navigation, social services, wellness programs, and clinical research
  • Equipment grants: Up to $8 million+ - Major capital investments in medical technology (e.g., Nuclear Medicine department equipment upgrades)

Community Cancer Programs

  • Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics: $40,000-$66,000 - Cancer prevention and care coordination services for vulnerable populations
  • Hospice of Santa Barbara: $25,000 - Patient Care Services program supporting 250-300 cancer patients annually
  • Santa Ynez Valley Community Outreach: $12,000 - Meals on Wheels nutritional support for cancer patients undergoing treatment
  • UCSB Research Mentorship Program: $25,000 - Scholarships for high school students conducting oncology research
  • Kesem at UCSB: $5,000 - Summer camp for children (ages 6-18) impacted by a parent's cancer diagnosis

Priority Areas

  • Cancer diagnosis, treatment, and research technology
  • Patient support services (navigation, social work, nutrition, genetic counseling)
  • Cancer prevention and early detection programs
  • Wellness and quality of life programs for patients
  • Oncology research at UCSB and Cottage Hospital
  • Access to cancer care for underserved and low-income populations
  • Support services for families affected by cancer

What They Don't Fund

The foundation focuses exclusively on cancer-related programs within Santa Barbara County. All Foundation proceeds must be used to support cancer care in the community. Programs outside Santa Barbara County or unrelated to cancer care are not eligible.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

  • Lori Willis - Executive Director (since 2018)
  • Stephanie Carlyle - Director of Philanthropy and Administration
  • Hannah Karlsrud - Communications Associate
  • Moon Waters - Philanthropy Assistant

Board of Trustees

The volunteer Board of Trustees includes medical professionals, researchers, and community leaders:

  • Leslie Bains
  • Kristen Blabey
  • Larry Dam
  • Arick Fuller
  • Dan Greenwald, MD
  • Lisa Guadagno
  • Raye Haskell-Melville
  • Priscilla Higgins, PhD
  • Denise Montell, PhD
  • Richard Nagler
  • Carola Nicholson
  • Richard Nordlund
  • W. Warren Suh, MD, MPH, FACR
  • George Tharakan
  • Rick Weber
  • Katina Zaninovich

Key Quote from Leadership: Executive Director Lori Willis stated, "As we enter our next quarter-century, we look forward to broadening our support not only for Ridley-Tree Cancer Center but also for other local cancer organizations that assist patients throughout their cancer journey."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara operates on an invitation-only basis for grant-making activities. The foundation proactively identifies and approaches organizations that align with their mission of ensuring superior cancer care for all residents of Santa Barbara County.

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the Board of Trustees, who identify cancer-related programs and services that meet community needs. The majority of funding (85%+) is committed to Ridley-Tree Cancer Center as part of the foundation's strategic partnership with Sansum Clinic, established in 2012.

Getting on Their Radar

The Cancer Foundation's board members have deep roots in the Santa Barbara cancer care community and identify grant opportunities through:

  • Existing healthcare partnerships: The foundation maintains strong relationships with Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, Cottage Hospital, and UCSB's oncology programs
  • Community healthcare providers: Organizations serving Santa Barbara County cancer patients, such as Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics and Hospice of Santa Barbara, have received recurring grants
  • Board connections: Board members include medical professionals (oncologists, researchers) and community leaders who work directly in the cancer care sector
  • Multi-year partnerships: The foundation demonstrates preference for sustained funding relationships (e.g., Santa Ynez Valley Community Outreach received grants for three consecutive years; Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics partnership since 2016)

Organizations providing direct cancer care, prevention, research, or support services to Santa Barbara County residents may be considered for funding through trustee relationships and demonstrated community impact.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation makes grant announcements throughout the year, suggesting ongoing evaluation rather than fixed grant cycles.

Success Rates

Not available. The foundation does not publish application statistics as it operates by invitation only.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only model. However, the foundation demonstrates strong commitment to recurring partnerships with effective programs.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, successful grant recipients share these characteristics:

Direct Service to Santa Barbara County Cancer Patients: All funded programs provide tangible benefits to cancer patients or their families within Santa Barbara County. As Executive Director Lori Willis emphasized regarding cancer prevention work: "We are pleased to support cancer prevention and care for all residents of Santa Barbara County."

Focus on Access and Equity: Programs serving vulnerable, low-income, uninsured, or underserved populations align with the foundation's core mission. Willis has stated, "Cost should never be a barrier to early detection."

Evidence-Based Impact: The foundation prioritizes programs with demonstrated outcomes. Regarding genetic screening programs, Willis noted: "Early detection through genetic counseling significantly improves patient survival rates, enables less invasive treatments, and can even prevent cancer through proactive measures."

Sustainable Community Partnerships: Multi-year funding relationships suggest the foundation values proven program effectiveness and organizational stability. Examples include the three-year commitment to Santa Ynez Valley Community Outreach and ongoing partnership with Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics since 2016.

Comprehensive Cancer Care Continuum: Funded programs span prevention, diagnosis, treatment, research, and end-of-life care, reflecting a holistic approach to cancer care.

Innovation and Excellence: The foundation's $8+ million investment in Nuclear Medicine equipment upgrades demonstrates commitment to cutting-edge technology and maintaining world-class cancer care standards in the community.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process - This foundation awards grants by invitation only through trustee discretion and strategic partnerships
  • Primary beneficiary is Ridley-Tree Cancer Center - 85%+ of annual giving supports this exclusive partner, with only 15% available for other community programs
  • Geographic restriction is absolute - All funding must benefit Santa Barbara County residents; programs serving other areas are ineligible
  • Multi-year partnerships are valued - The foundation demonstrates commitment to sustained funding for effective programs rather than one-time grants
  • Equity and access are core values - Programs removing barriers to cancer care for vulnerable populations align with the foundation's 75-year mission
  • Direct service delivery preferred - Recent grants support hands-on programs (nutrition, screening, patient navigation, hospice care) rather than administrative or awareness-only initiatives
  • Board connections matter - With medical professionals and community leaders as trustees, relationships within Santa Barbara's cancer care ecosystem are key to funding consideration
  • Strategic focus is expanding - Executive Director Lori Willis has indicated the foundation is broadening support beyond Ridley-Tree to other local cancer organizations, suggesting potential opportunities for aligned programs

References

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