In the May 2025 issue…

• Changing Lives: Women’s Fund Awards $1.25 Million to 11 Grantees!
• Membership Corner: Finding a Group That’s Right for You
• Women’s Fund to Launch Texting to Members
• Learn How to Make a Difference as a Volunteer!

What a celebration! Last night, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara awarded an unprecedented $1.25 million in grants to 11 local nonprofits, made possible by the collective giving of our 1,426 members. More than 500 members, guests, sponsors, and community supporters gathered at the iconic Lobero Theatre to learn about the work the grantees will do with their new grants.  

Board Chair Carolyn Jabs welcomed attendees and noted, “The Women’s Fund is based on a deceptively simple premise: Together, when we pool our resources, we can achieve far more than we ever could alone. Over the past 21 years, the Women’s Fund has contributed nearly $13 million to 163 programs at 73 nonprofits serving vulnerable women, children, and families in south Santa Barbara County. Thanks to the loyalty of our members, we have blossomed into one of the largest giving circles in the United States.” 

She added, “If you visit our website, you’ll see inspiring stories about how Women’s Fund grants have had a transformational impact on agencies that serve people with disabilities, survivors of trauma and abuse, people with physical or mental health problems, families that struggle with poverty, people who are unsheltered, seniors who are isolated and many more.

“Each agency we will honor today is evidence of the good that can be done when dedicated people get the resources they need to tackle difficult challenges in our community.” 

Read all about the current grantees here.  

• Carpinteria Children’s Project – $100,000 to provide scholarships for 20-40 low-income students in CCP’s Dual Language Immersion Program, enhancing kindergarten readiness and supporting families with access to additional resources and services. 

• CASA - Court Appointed Special Advocates of Santa Barbara County – $75,000 for upgrading the data management system and hiring a full-time data management specialist to improve advocacy for children in foster care. 

• Channel Islands YMCA – $100,000 to establish the county’s first fully licensed transitional housing program for youth exiting foster care, providing intensive case management and support for nine young adults. 

• Children’s Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County – $200,000 over two years to expand their child-care licensing program, guiding 60 women through the licensing process to create up to 480 new licensed child-care spaces in underserved communities.  

• Domestic Violence Solutions – $100,000 to upgrade security measures at their emergency shelter and long-term housing facility, enhancing safety for 162 clients annually through new fencing, security systems, and training for staff. 

• Good Samaritan Shelter – $150,000 to purchase a fully equipped food truck, the Good Samwich, providing culinary training program graduates with paid employment while serving 14,000 meals annually to the community. 

• Mothers’ Helpers – $80,000 over two years to hire a part-time bilingual support center coordinator, enhancing operations to serve over 600 low-income families annually while improving volunteer management and reducing response times for parent requests. 

• New Beginnings Counseling Center – $150,000 over two years to increase mental health care staffing by hiring a full-time front desk staff member and expanding intake coordinator hours, which will improve client intake and reducing wait times for approximately 860 clients annually. 

• PATH Santa Barbara - People Assisting the Homeless – $110,000 to purchase and install privacy partitions in the women’s dormitory, improving the living conditions for an average of 114 women annually and enhancing their well-being within the shelter. 

• SEE International – $110,000 to expand the SEE Vision Care Program by hiring additional staff and increasing service days at their Goleta clinic, enabling the organization to serve an additional 1,126 patients and reduce appointment wait times. 

• Showers of Blessing – $75,000 to purchase a new gas-powered truck base, ensuring reliable transportation for their mobile shower services and enabling continued access to hygiene facilities for 800 clients, providing a total of 7,000 showers each year. 

In her closing comments, Vice-Chair Lauren Trujillo said, “Right now, we are standing in a moment — for the Women’s Fund, for our community, and for philanthropy itself, and I am proud to say we are not standing still. 

“Today, we celebrate what we’ve built and what we are still building together. We are more committed than ever to tackling the biggest challenges facing women, children, and families in our community.” 

If you missed the event, you can watch a recording of the livestream on our Instagram page here. Or, catch up on photos here. 

There are two ways to become a member of the Women’s Fund – by joining a Group or as an Individual Member. The majority of our members join as a Group Member.

All our groups have their own distinct personalities. They vary in meeting frequency, member makeup, and expectations. Some groups meet frequently and volunteer together, finding community within their group. Others choose to meet yearly to discuss and cast their vote for the ballot of grantees. Still, every group is an integral part of how the Women’s Fund – and all our members – can change lives together.

Marybeth Carty (left) and board members Katya Armistead and Carolyn Jabs (right) with members of the new Panhellelic Group from our most recent new member event.

Every member has her own story!

Julie Sorenson, member since 2006, has captained her own groups since 2008, recruiting friends, family members (her mother and daughters), and even me! Starting your own group can be a wonderful way to get more people involved in the Women’s Fund, representing the diverse makeup of our Santa Barbara community and extending the reach of our charity.

Julie says, “I have grown my group over the years and we evolved from struggling to make the vote 18 years ago to earning two votes today. This year, I helped launch a new group called Warm Welcome for brand new members who didn’t have a specific group affiliation and it’s been a wonderful opportunity to meet new people.”

Some members, like Lauren Trujillo, member since 2019, find the first group they join isn’t quite a fit. In those cases, we encourage members to group shop and find what feels right for them.

Lauren says, “I’m so grateful to the first group that welcomed me—it gave me such a warm introduction to the Women’s Fund. When I realized I needed a different fit, switching groups was easier than I expected. My new group aligns more with my schedule and style, and it’s made me feel even more connected and engaged.”

There is a place for every level of involvement at the Women’s Fund. To explore options, including starting your own group, changing groups, or learning more about becoming an individual member, contact us at gcliaison@womensfundsb.org.

Whether you joined the Women’s Fund to get involved in your community and meet like-minded women, or you’re just interested in a simple and effective way to funnel your charitable contributions, we’re happy you’re here!

• Submitted by Hannah Robinson

“Because you can text while doing something else, texting does not seem to take time but to give you time. This is more than welcome; it is magical.”

The quote is from American sociologist Sherry Turkle and begins to explain why texting has become a favorite form of communication for so many people, including many of our members.

For those of us who like the texting type of magic, you’ll be happy to know that the Women’s Fund will start using text messages this summer. To get started, you’ll have a chance to let us know that you would be open to receive texts from us with a message that asks you to “opt in” to our texting.

After you opt in, you’ll receive messages inviting you to our various events. These include Grants In Action programs that feature information from and about our grantees. Other messages will include invitations to our New Member receptions, Ballot Review Meeting, and Celebration of Grants. The immediacy of texting makes it a great way to stay on top of our educational and special events.

Those events will add up to about 10 to 12 messages a year, or about one a month. If you register, you’ll also receive a text reminder to attend. 

And don’t worry – if you like emails, we’ll still be sending those, too.

Our member volunteers are the magic ingredient that makes the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara work. It’s a great way to put your time and talents to good use and to meet other women who share an interest in local philanthropy. We’re growing and need you more than ever, so please consider joining our volunteer team. We’re not just about collective giving, we’re also about collective doing!

Our Volunteer Engagement Committee works with members of all ages, ethnicities, skills, and lifestyles to help you find an enjoyable role based on your time availability and interest. You can make a difference in many ways, from helping with events to chairing committees and everything in between.

Visit our website to learn more or contact us at volunteer@womensfundsb.org.

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