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Myths about Women’s Fund Expenses
Last month, Women’s Fund Chair Shelley Hurst described the challenge of rising expenses. Since then, we’ve heard a number of myths. Here are some of them… and the facts.
MYTH: The Women’s Fund (WF) is run by volunteers so it has no expenses.
The first part is true. Dozens of talented women each donate hundreds of hours of their time and talent to the WF. But we pay vendors for our database and website, financial and transaction processing, events, graphic design, printing, liability insurance and more. As the Women’s Fund grows, so do these expenses.
MYTH: The WF is a pass-through, expenses are minimal.
The WF is a grant maker. We combine member contributions, safeguard the grants pool, provide financial oversight, maintain the database, promote our mission to gain new members and retain current members, oversee member communications and on-line information resources, identify critical community issues, research local nonprofits, manage voting, deliver large grants and review results. And then we do it all over again.
MYTH: WF expenses are paid by the Women’s Fund Endowment.
The WF endowment will not provide income until it reaches a threshold of $500,000 averaged over three years. Through generous contributions, the endowment currently stands at $356,635.
MYTH: WF expenses are paid by the Santa Barbara Foundation (SBF).
While SBF provided free administrative support for our first three years, today we pay a 3% administration fee to the SBF for the services they provide as our nonprofit home.
MYTH: Using a credit card is more expensive than donating by check.
We do pay transaction fees for credit card usage. But it streamlines our processes and donations are received immediately when members donate online. That said, we welcome contributions in whatever form including personal checks, IRA distributions, donor advised funds and stock transfers.
MYTH: WF events are costly and eat into the grants pool.
The WF is a high-touch organization that values and thrives on connections with our community and one another. While events can be costly, we watch every penny and always seek sponsors and underwriters and charge modest attendance fees for our largest events.
MYTH: A founding principle of the WF was “no events.”
“No FUNDRAISING events” was a founding principle we still follow today. No auctions. No casino nights. No tournaments. Only a major celebration in the spring, an educational series in the fall, and a few smaller gatherings throughout the year for specific purposes, like the educational ballot review meeting.
We hope this helps to clarify any questions you might have. We welcome additional questions at info@womensfundsb.org.
2018 Site Visits Underway
Women’s Fund grantees are changing lives
The 2018 small-group site visits designed by our 2017-18 grantees for Women’s Fund members and guests are now underway. These visits are an opportunity for members to see first-hand our grants in action.
This is what one member said after her site visit experience: ”I came away with a better understanding of the services provided by the grantee and some of my misconceptions about whom they serve were dispelled. It was gratifying to see the improvements that our funds helped to support.”
Grantee Corner: GUSD to Receive Golden Bell Award
Goleta Union School District is a recipient of the state's leading education honor
On November 29, the Goleta Union School District will receive the Golden Bell award as reported in Noozhawk on October 31.
"The Early Childhood Consultation, Reflective Practice and Social Emotional Professional Learning Program addresses the increase in social emotional needs by providing daily, embedded social emotional learning for children ages 3-5, and now into transitional kindergarten. The expectation is that the early intervention will result in fewer referrals to counseling, and more teachers being trained in how to respond positively, and with expertise, to social-emotional behavioral issues.”
Read more about how the program we helped fund in May with a $50,000 grant is making a difference in our community.
Get to Know…SB4EVA
 Pictured here are Kendall Pata (upper right) and four members of SB4EVA with some children from the United Boys & Girls Clubs during the site visit at the Carpinteria center.
To get to know one of our newest membership groups, SB4EVA, we interviewed Group Captain Kendall Pata.
What is the one word you would use to describe the Women’s Fund?
Effective. Easy. Empowering. Do I have to choose just one? Plus, I seem to like alliteration.
Why did you join the Women’s Fund?
I learned about the Women’s Fund when I was the Community Programming chair for the Junior League (JL). I knew the WF research committee was unparalleled in their knowledge of what was happening in Santa Barbara and where our town was most in need. Knowing where to place my focus helped me plan hands-on projects for the JL membership, and I could rest easy knowing that we were keeping our finger on the pulse of our community.
What is the significance of your group name?
All of us met here in Santa Barbara, and no matter where we end up, we will always have Santa Barbara. SB4EVA!
Click here to read the rest of her answers.
Membership Corner
We welcomed 17 new members in October…that brings our 2018 total up to 123!
Mindy Bailey, Sally Bromfield, Mary Jane Cooper, Katie Davis, Michele Drum, Roberta Grant, Kathy Hollis, Pamela Houck, Marsha Kramarck, Daniela Milea, Elaine Nicol, Mitzi Overland, Mary Romo, Robin Sawaske, Susan Wagner, Leslie White and Sandra Wood.
Thank you for choosing to join the Women's Fund!
December 31 deadline for 2018 membership
To be eligible to vote in March for our 2018-19 grantees, your 2018 membership donation must be received at the Santa Barbara Foundation (SBF) by December 31 or postmarked no later than December 31, 2018. SBF offices at 1111 Chapala Street will be open on December 31, but why wait and then rush?
Renew now by clicking here: womensfundsb.org
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