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Donations Exceed Goal
We did it again, Together!
What a difference a year makes. As we welcome in the new year, we take note of two significant events.
- Last year’s disasters tried the strength and resilience of our community. But a year later, the generosity and spirit of our community has remained unwavering.
- This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara. For 15 years, this powerful model of collective philanthropy has taken root and flourished in our community. We will be celebrating this important milestone all year—especially at our Celebration of Grants on May 1.
Although we’re still auditing our numbers, we know we exceeded our 2018 goal to create at least a $500,000 grants pool to be distributed to deserving nonprofits this spring! That’s at least a half a million dollars from us—from you!—to help local women, children and families. And it will bring our total grants since 2004 to more than $7 million.
We welcomed more than 180 new members in 2018. Our membership is now over 900 women strong! Our founders—sitting around that kitchen table 15 years ago—never envisioned growth like this.
The Women’s Fund Research Committee is moving swiftly to finalize the 2018-19 nonprofit candidates to be considered for funding this year. Please mark your calendars with important dates that will lead to the announcement of our new grantees on May 1. (See story below.)
We sincerely want to thank you all—long-time members and new friends—who made our 2018 membership year such a success. We can now change more lives together!
Investing in our future together:
New suggested minimum and voting thresholds
for 2019 membership
With growth comes many opportunities—more dollars to grant to local nonprofits, more women engaged as knowledgeable philanthropists. Growth also has its costs—namely in increased expenses to manage a larger organization. So, after much thought and discussion, we are announcing the following decision.
Effective January 1, 2019—and for the first time in 15 years—we are increasing the suggested minimum contribution for Women’s Fund membership from $250 to $275 and raising the voting threshold from $2,500 to $2,750 (one vote per $2,750 contributed). We are also introducing a more formal sponsorship program for our local businesses and our members.
What is our goal in making these changes?
Sustainability. We want to maintain an annual grants pool of at least $500,000 a year. And we want to ensure that we have a strong infrastructure to sustain our growth and efficiency.
Why are we making these changes?
As the Women’s Fund grew from 68 members in 2004 to 900-plus today, our expenses grew as well. The Santa Barbara Foundation began charging an administration fee, technology and payment processing costs came into play, and generous underwriting and modest event attendance fees could no longer cover all our expenses. And, of course, the cost of living has gone up in the past 15 years as well.
How will these changes affect 2018 WF members?
These changes are effective January 1, 2019. Nothing changed in 2018 so the threshold for voting in March 2019 will remain at $2,500. Any new or renewing member for 2019 will be asked to participate at the new threshold levels.
How will these changes affect Women’s Fund groups?
To vote NEXT YEAR—in March of 2020—each group will need to combine its 2019 donations to meet the new $2,750 threshold or better. However, groups and Group Captains will continue to have the flexibility to decide among themselves how to manage the contributions within their groups and how to reach the new threshold.
For more information about our expenses and steps we have taken to manage our costs, click here.
Mark your Calendars
The yellow “sticky” above lists important dates for your calendar. Here is what will happen on each of those dates—leading to the selection of our new 2018-19 grant recipients.
- March 8 - Ballot Information Package with worksheets and background information sent to all 2018 Women's Fund members via our electronic newsletter. This information will be useful for planning your individual or group vote.
- March 14 - Individual Members and Group Captains and Co-Captains meet with Researchers to review ballot choices and learn how to vote electronically. Look for your electronic invitation in February. (This Ballot Review Meeting will be opened to all members to fill seats available after Individual Members and Group Captains have RSVPed.)
- Group Captains: You may want to make plans now to meet with your group members sometime between March 14 and the March 30 voting deadline to discuss and determine your group’s vote(s).
- March 15 - Ballots emailed by Survey Monkey to all eligible voters (Individual Members and voting Group Captains). It will include a link to cast electronic votes.
- March 30 - Deadline for electronic voting by eligible voters.
- May 1 - SAVE-THE-DATE for our 15th annual Celebration of Grants reception, kicking off at 4:30 pm at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort (formerly The Fess Parker), where we’ll gather to celebrate our new 2018-19 grantees. These nonprofits will join the 93 agency programs that have received over $6.6 million in Women's Fund grants since 2004.
Membership Corner
On January 24, we will host our new 2018 Women’s Fund members at an evening reception at Garden Court on De La Vina. The purpose of this reception—underwritten by Mission Wealth—is to help our new members become more familiar with the Women’s Fund and the upcoming voting process.
We welcomed 48 new members in December.
Amanda Brey, Jessica Cadiente, Theresa Dolotta, Patti Duell, Marilyn Ebbin, Gretchen Falvo, Erin Featherstone-Trow, Jessica Fougere, Karen Fox, Lori Goodman, Judith Hamilton, Gretchen Hewlett, Angela Hsu, Jennifer Husak, Ann James, Sunita Jethmalani, Lisa Johnson, Patricia Jones, Betsy Kain, Darcy Keep, Jacqueline Kemp, Julia Lara, Sheila Lewis, Pauline Lowe, Christine Malengo, Nancy Marden, Jennifer Maupin, Devon McLennan, Virginia Milhoan, Lisa Osborn, Lori Pearce, Juliet Penn, Alia Porinsh, Shana Prince, Daalia Reynolds, Elizabeth Saghi, Merrill Sherman, Heather Silva, Janis Spracher, Carol Tricase, Betsey von Summer Moller, Moonsook Waters, Kendra Wiggins, Patricia Zadeh, and Emily Zinn.
Thank you for choosing to join the Women's Fund!
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