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New Openings for Site Visits
Learn first-hand how Women’s Fund grantees are Changing Lives.
These small-group visits have been especially designed by our grantees for Women’s Fund members and guests. They are being offered from late October through mid November.
There is still limited availability for the visits at CADA, Early Classroom Behavior Intervention Program and the United Boys & Girls Clubs, so click here to register now. Registration closes tomorrow, October 5 at 6:00 pm.
Due to popular demand, our grantees have kindly opened up additional dates for the Dyslexia Intervention Program, Foodbank and Santa Barbara Rescue Mission. Click here to register. Registration closes Friday, October 12 at 6:00 pm.
2018 Site Visit Kick-Off | A Huge Success
This year’s Site Visit Kick-Off on September 24 attracted over 240 members and guests who gathered at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort to hear from the seven local nonprofit agencies—the 2017-18 recipients of $535,000 in Women’s Fund grants last May.
The grantee updates, facilitated by Leisa Cosentino, featured agency representatives who described the meaningful contributions the grants have made in the community. Armed with examples and stories of success, the panelists thanked Women’s Fund members for helping them make a difference in south Santa Barbara County.
Read the Independent article written by Women’s Fund member Gail Arnold.
To view more photos on our website, click here.
Thanks!
…to our dedicated Site Visit Kick-Off volunteers, led by Mary Wiemann and Linda Stafford Burrows, and to our generous sponsors and underwriters who—along with our members—ensured all event costs were 100% underwritten.
…to the Santa Barbara Foundation which provides valuable fiscal and administrative support to the volunteer-led Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara. The Women’s Fund is a field of interest fund of the Santa Barbara Foundation.
Women’s Fund Honored by the Kiwanis
 Pictured (left to right) Marsha Gray, President of Kiwanis; Jill Frandsen, Director of the Daniel Bryant Center; Shelley Hurst, WF Steering Chair; Sabina White, WF Researcher; Eduardo Cue, Teen Court Program Manager
On September 19, the Women’s Fund received the 2018 Kiwanis Community Collaborative Award for our support of Teen Court. In May 2018, CADA – Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, received a $75,000 Women’s Fund grant to provide mental health support to help prevent possible reoffending and incarceration of Teen Court youth.
From the Chair
Shelley Hurst, Steering Chair, offers her views on a couple of important issues affecting the Women’s Fund.
1. So, how are we doing?
We are doing great. I am so proud to chair the Steering Committee of this fabulous organization. I just can’t believe what we accomplish together.
2. Are there challenges?
We are experiencing some growing pains like any organization our size. Rising operating costs and finding new leaders are at the top of my list.
3. Why are operating expenses increasing?
Because we are growing—we have nearly 900 members today. And, like the cost of living, the cost of doing business is increasing. In 2017, we paid $50,367 in expenses. In 2018, we expect expenses to be around $82,000.
4. What are our major expenses?
Three come to mind—administrative fees at $18K, credit card fees at $14K and technology support at around $11K. Events are costly and yet we have been able to offset expenses with event fees and sponsorships.
5. Any thoughts?
Our overriding goals are to sustain a strong annual grants pool—to keep it above the $500,000 level—while maintaining a strong infrastructure to support growth and efficiency. This can be a tricky balance. In the past few years, we have held back a reserve from the grants pool to pay for expenses. It is a guessing game. We want to be more strategic about our needs and know that we have the money to pay for them.
6. What do you mean?
We could have 1,000 members by the end of the year, certainly well over 900. That is a lot of people. If we can’t find the volunteer talent within our ranks, we must find it elsewhere and that means hiring help. Not employees, but independent contractors to support us where and when we need it, in areas like accounting, database management, event operations or communications.
7. Is there a plan?
With input from lots of members, we are developing a strategy to help offset expenses. It is a strategy now and won’t turn into a plan unless the Steering Committee approves it.
8. On a different subject, you mentioned finding new leaders, why is that difficult?
Well, I am not sure. Possibly, we just haven’t done a good enough job in communicating what we need and finding those that might be interested. This is a tough one. But we have made a giant step in the right direction by creating a Nominating Committee, headed up by Christine Riesenfeld, and her able partner, Jacki Belt (Volunteer Coordinator). They are terrific and bring focus to this gap we are experiencing.
9. Do you want advice or input?
Yes, absolutely, I so welcome input on either of these areas. Members can find me at info@womensfundsb.org.
Membership Corner
82 Groups and Growing!
Nearly 80 Group Captains and Co-captains gathered at Girls Inc. Goleta Valley Center last week for our annual Group Captains Meeting where they heard the latest Women’s Fund news and shared their ideas.
Captains and Co-Captains: please watch for your next Group Captain Bulletin for a summary of the morning and a link to all the handouts.
We are so pleased to announce that Linda van Buren will be joining Stina Hans as Group Captain Liaison to support all of the Captains and group members.
If you are interested in starting a group, please contact the Group Captain Liaisons.
NEW MEMBERS
We have a goal of attracting 120 new members in 2018 and we are well on our way! Welcome to our newest 2018 members (since July): Lauren Andrews, Polly Bloomingdale, Erin Celmayster, Maria Chaidez, Susan Cole, Anne Costello, Leah Eberley Dougherty, Bunny Freidus, Suzan Garner, Carol George, Marianne Gertman, Nadine Gilles, Gail Haupt, Michele Jackman, Dianne Johnson, Sandy Kaneoka, Sara Kerr, Julie Kessler Solomon, Maia Kikerpill, Holly Leck, Heidi LeVay, Linda Locker, Kathy Marden, Robin Martin, Esther McKinley, Sandra Miller, Cathy Milner, Stefanie Muench, Laura Rao, Andrea Ridgell, Lynn Rollins, Molly Rothman, Doris Schaffer, Linda Schmitt, Anne Schowe, Victoria Sjollema, Molly Vowels, Arleen Weisman, Jane Westerman, Sheila White, and Belinda Zola.
- It helps the Research Committee size the next grants pool.
- It helps the Membership Committee avoid the year-end crunch (and you from getting renewal reminders!)
- We earn interest on our dollars throughout the year.
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