In the March issue:

• Grantee of the Month: Children’s Resource and Referral

• Generous Sponsors Provide Record-Breaking Support!

• Slipping into Homelessness – Who, Why, and Strategies for Prevention

• Membership Corner: Want More From Your Membership? Consider Being a Volunteer!

• Voting Window Is Open

Families throughout Santa Barbara County know all too well the stress of finding quality child care. The shortage of licensed child-care spaces is critical and well-documented: only about 10% of infants and toddlers have access to licensed care, and for three- to five-year-old children, the situation is only marginally better. This lack of access places enormous strain on families and limits opportunities for children during their most important years of development.

With the help of a $200,000 grant from the Women’s Fund, Children’s Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County (CRRSB) is addressing this challenge by expanding the supply of high-quality, licensed child care in the community. Through its Steps to Licensing program, CRRSB supports women who wish to provide care for children in their own homes, guiding them through every step of becoming licensed child-care providers.

Participants receive instruction in child development, trauma-informed care, and health and safety practices, while also learning how to create engaging learning environments and meet licensing requirements. Importantly, the program is offered at no cost to participants, removing a significant barrier to access and success.

New caregivers celebrating their achievement!

Five early childhood education specialists will guide 60 women through the program; the grant supports this work by covering salaries and benefits for the specialists, providing stipends for participants, and funding training, materials, and essential operating costs.

By helping 60 women open their homes to high-quality, licensed child-care, CRRSB is helping to open spaces for up to 480 children in south Santa Barbara County—many of whom would not otherwise have access to safe, affordable care during the most critical years of brain development. As Michelle Graham noted, this grant is not just supporting women; it is activating them—transforming caregivers into entrepreneurs and homes into vibrant learning environments. In doing so, CRRSB is strengthening families today while building a stronger, more resilient community for the future.

- Contributed by Catherine Neitzel

We are thrilled to announce that more than 20 local organizations and two long-term members have generously provided a record-breaking $99,000 in sponsorships and member underwriting for 2026!  

These generous sponsors and underwriters play a vital role in maximizing the membership donations that go into our grants pool by offsetting costs for our operations – like our education programs, website, database, and credit card fees. As an all-volunteer management team with no paid staff, we rely on the support of our sponsors to help ensure our member donations continue to build a robust grants pool. 

If you do business with our sponsors or see them at our events, please join us in thanking them for their significant support and commitment to the Women’s Fund. Or if you know someone who might want to join our list of supporters and sponsors, contact: info@womensfundsb.org.

Last month, a panel of community experts convened by the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara shared their perspectives during a roundtable discussion focused on preventing local families from slipping into homelessness. The goal was to help Women’s Fund members better understand why some families are particularly vulnerable, what causes these families to lose their homes, and what can be done to help prevent our neighbors from facing eviction.

The discussion took place at the Center Stage Theater on February 18 with approximately 120 members and guests attending. Participants included Sylvia Barnard, CEO of Good Samaritan, Kathleen Baushke, Executive Director of Transition House, Jett Black-Maertz, Homelessness Prevention Manager for Santa Barbara County, Rob Fredricks, Executive Director and CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara, and Kristine Schwarz, Executive Director of New Beginnings. Women’s Fund member Maureen Ellenberger moderated.

Over the years, we have provided numerous grants to nonprofit organizations and programs providing shelter and support to families who have lost their homes. While this has done a tremendous amount of good, there is wide agreement among experts, that preventing families from losing their housing in the first place could be even more impactful and cost effective.

Panelists discussed events that may trigger housing loss, including health crises, loss of transportation, loss of government or nonprofit funding for food or housing support, and domestic violence. Rob Fredricks shared that the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Santa Barbara is $3,941. Housing costs are considered affordable if they are up to 30% of gross income which means a Santa Barbara family must earn $13,137 per month to afford a two-bedroom apartment. Unfortunately, it is not unusual for families in our community to spend 50% of their income or more on rent, leaving them very vulnerable. If one thing goes wrong, if one major unforeseen expense arises, a family may not be able to pay their rent.

There are several local prevention programs already underway. For example, Sylvia Barnard discussed the success of a hotline for those in danger of homelessness operated by Good Samaritan. Glenn Bacheller, community volunteer and homelessness prevention advocate, stressed the need for coordinated prevention efforts in our community and described a highly successful program underway in Santa Clara County. One important aspect of the Santa Clara County program and the Good Samaritan hotline is that a case manager connects those in danger of losing their homes to resources and services.

Although the problems are complex, this type of homelessness can be prevented. You can get more information, including more data, information about pilot projects, and related topics by clicking here.

- Contributed by Holly Carmody

Being a Women’s Fund member has a different definition depending on who you talk to, and they are all equally meaningful. Some members contribute their financial support and their vote; other women see the Women’s Fund as a way to join their philanthropic and social worlds. All women are welcome, and we are invested in helping you find your place. If you are someone who leaves Women’s Fund events feeling inspired and desiring to do more, please consider joining one of our volunteer committees.

Next month’s newsletter will include a detailed list of open volunteer positions with our teams. If you can spare one hour a month, we’re happy to have you. If you have more time to pour into the cause, again, we’re happy to have you. Learn more here!

- Contributed by Hannah Robinson

We are in the middle of our voting window, when members decide which local nonprofits will receive grants from this year’s $1.275 million grants pool! Awardees will be announced at the Celebration of Grants on May 13. Here are some key dates.

Thank you to our sponsors and underwriters whose generosity support and education programs and operations.
Learn more about them here.

© 2022 Women's Fund of Santa Barbara
A tax-exempt nonprofit organization | Tax ID 82-5169678

Contact Us | Unsubscribe from this mailing |Unsubscribe from all mailings