In the recent member survey, a majority of you said you’d like to learn more about the impact of Women’s Fund grants in our community. Grants in Action (GIA) events, being scheduled throughout the fall and winter of 2020 and 2021, are a great way to get more information.

Attending a GIA event, which includes both site visits and educational forums, helps you learn how the Women’s Fund grants impact the work of our grantees, expand your knowledge grantees’ work, and understand the critical issues affecting the lives of women, children and families. 

All events will be virtual this year, like our successful Celebration of Grants in May. After each event’s virtual ‘premiere,’ you will also be able to access recordings of the events on the website. That way, you can catch up at a time convenient for you, or make it an event with your group. Please RSVP on the invitation to each event. Some dates are not set yet because of delays in the project due to COVID-19. 

SITE VISITS

Site visits give you a close-up look at the work of a grantee. Since site visits will be virtual this year, there is no limit to the number of people who can participate.

All premiere broadcasts will be at 5pm on Zoom.  Videos will remain available on the website. 

• September 29, 2020 - Virtual site visit and interview with SEE International
• October 20, 2020 - Virtual combined site visit to Showers of Blessing and Doctors Without Walls (Santa Barbara Street Medicine) 
• Summer 2021 – Virtual site visit to learn about the Santa Barbara Public Library’s Library-to-Go mobile van supported by the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation
• Late Fall 2021 - Site Visit to the STEAM Lab at El Camino School  - Goleta School District & Goleta Education Foundation

EDUCATIONAL FORUMS

Educational forums will present a more in-depth look at critical issues affecting our communities. We invite leading experts and our grantees to speak about social and economic challenges impacting women, children and families.

New this year: we’ll compile a reading list of articles by leaders in the field or a literature review of key scholars’ and practitioners’ works about the topics to add to our learning.

Here’s the tentative schedule for the forums:

• November 6, 2020 - Immigrants’ Stories; America’s Promise: Learn about historic and current national immigration policies and practices and their impact on Santa Barbara families and communities. Julissa Peña and Maria Vega of the Santa Barbara County Immigrant Legal Defense Center will present TED-style talks and then take part in a moderated interview.
• December 8, 2020 - Aging in Place in Santa Barbara – Obstacles and Opportunities: Hear about the critical issues for seniors who want to age in place with security and dignity. What policies, funding, best practices or model programs show the most promise? We’ll highlight the work of nationally renowned experts and Women’s Fund  grantees 2nd Story Associates and Easy Lift.
• Winter 2021 - The Power of Prevention:  Supporting Positive Mental and Emotional Health in Youth: Explore the power of holistic prevention programs to support and nurture the well-being of young people. We will learn from local educators and seasoned experts, including Sources of Strength, the social/emotional learning program that the Santa Barbara Education Foundation and the Santa Barbara School District are bringing to all three public high schools. 

For more information or if you would like to volunteer to help with Grants in Action events, please contact Linda Burrows at: grants_in_action@womensfundsb.org .