Women's Fund | July 2023 Newsletter

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In the July, 2023 issue...

Cute Cap and Gown Alert: Graduation Day at CCP
Meet Our Research Team
Learn More about the Legacy Society
Membership Corner: Welcome New Members and Women Interested in Learning More!
Local News Highlights Impact of our Grantees

Get Ready to Celebrate Our 20 Years!

Next year we will celebrate a milestone – our 20th anniversary of changing lives together! As Board Chair Jamie Dufek said, “We’ve set an ambitious goal for ourselves. We want to build a $1 million grants pool to award at next year’s Celebration of Grants. And as you know, the membership donations we make this year – in 2023 – will make up that grants pool. So please help us reach our goal: $1 million or more for 2024.” Renew or join today!

Cute Gap and Gown Alert: Graduation Day at CCP

The Women’s Fund recently received this note from Teresa Alvarez, Executive Director of Carpinteria Children’s Project. CCP most recently received a grant in 2020-2021 to sustain their programs during the pandemic.

“Dear Women's Fund,

I couldn't be prouder of this little face. He represents the culmination of my personal and professional efforts for the past five years - my oldest son graduated from preschool at CCP today! This is our first class to graduate from our 100% dual language English-Spanish immersion preschool. As much as I'll miss seeing him on campus every day, I'm confident he and his little buddies are ready for the adventures of kindergarten."

"Seeing these tiny people in blue with their crowd of supporters is one of my favorite parts of working with the children and families at Carpinteria Children's Project. Every child benefits from the ecosystem of support created here in Carpinteria by donors and supporters like you. You are truly paving the way for our city's leaders and citizens of tomorrow!

In partnership with their parents, our staff have given them the brightest start full of cognitive and social development. Even though we say goodbye for now, our families know that the Family Resource Center is always there for them. Whether it's for fun classes and events or in the frantic times of crisis, our families know and trust that CCP will connect them to what they need.

You make this possible. From the bottom of my heart as both a mama and a director-- thank you.”

Teresa Alvarez
Executive Director
Carpinteria Children’s Project

Meet Our Research Team!

Who are the women that make up the Research Committee – the people responsible for helping us find the nonprofits and projects that we fund each year? Chaired by Yonie Harris, the volunteer committee oversees the entire process:

selecting local nonprofit agencies to research
conducting thorough and independent analysis
creating the member Ballot and Ballot Information Package
hosting the annual Ballot Review Meeting

The committee is composed of women from diverse backgrounds, bringing a wealth of professional expertise and volunteer experience. Their areas of specialization span a wide range, including education, nonprofits, finance, social services, medicine, psychology, journalism, graphic design, law, public policy, and the environment.

It is this breadth of experience that equips these women to tackle the challenging task of looking for the best opportunities for the Women’s Fund grant dollars. Click here to meet the members of this year’s committee!

The photo features some of the members of our 2022-2023 research committee at the May, 2023 Celebration of Grants.

Learn More about the Legacy Society

We invite you to become a member of the Women’s Fund Legacy Society – a visionary and compassionate group of individuals creating a legacy that will change lives for years to come. Learn more here.

Membership Corner: Welcome New Members and Women Interested in Learning More!

Are you a new member and ready to learn more about the Women’s Fund? Are you a captain of a group with new or potential members? If so, please join us at our New and Prospective Member Reception, taking place at grantee Alpha Resource Center on Wednesday, August 9 at 5:30.

This relaxed and informal social gathering is designed especially for new and potential members -- you’ll get answers to frequent questions, meet other amazing women, and enjoy delightful refreshments in Alpha Resource’s Serenity Garden.

Additionally, Director of Development Jeff Henson will provide insights on how our grant dollars are making a difference for the agency.

Join us at this event to deepen your understanding of the Women's Fund and meet other members. We look forward to welcoming you!

Register here

Wednesday, August 9, 2023
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Alpha Resource Center
4501 Cathedral Oaks Rd, Santa Barbara

Welcome new members!

Please welcome our newest members: Renee Alexandre, Marcy Bazzani, Nicole Comella, Irene Cooke, Jennifer Felder, Pamela Gilbert, Jill Kitnick, Lisa Milstead, Amanda Moose, Mary Raven, Robin Snider, and Deb Tedder.

Congratulations to these new groups and their captains:

Follow Your Heart -- Elizabeth Patterson
Chicks With Checks -- Parm Williams
Small Act, Big Impact -- Katie Crocker
Team Sparkle -- Irene Milton
Hilary’s Group -- Hilary Chapman

Also, congratulations to new captains of existing groups:

We Teach -- Ann Lippincott
Women Of Honor -- LuAnn Miller

Local News Highlights Impact of Our Grantees

If you've been tuning in to the local evening news on KEYT Channel 3-12, chances are you've caught a glimpse of the incredible impact our 2022-2023 grantees are making in our community.

Several of our ten grantees have already had the opportunity to share their stories on television, and there are even more features lined up for the summer. If you missed these heartwarming segments, you can catch them right here! Witness firsthand how the grants these agencies received from the Women's Fund are transforming lives and making a tangible difference in our community.

Click the links to watch the inspiring stories from our grantees: 2nd Story Associates/Vera Cruz Apts., Food from the Heart, Alzheimer’s Association, and St. Vincent’s.

133 East De La Guerra Street, #15
Santa Barbara, CA 93101