Local Women Unite to Grant $1.275 Million, Supporting Nonprofits Amid Funding Challenges
SANTA BARBARA, CA – The power of collective giving was on full display at the Lobero Theatre on May 13 when the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara awarded a record $1,275,000 in grants to 10 local nonprofits. Grants ranged in size from $60,000 to $200,000. These grants will provide essential mental health therapy, youth counseling and mentorship, reproductive healthcare services for women, meals and wellness checks for seniors, transportation for foster children, door-to-door assistance for seniors and adults with disabilities, a truck to transport surplus food to nonprofits, and a supportive dormitory for women struggling with addiction.
The 22nd annual Celebration of Grants underscored the vital role community support plays as nonprofits struggle to adapt to federal funding cuts. “It’s no secret: these are challenging times for nonprofits, the people they serve, and the donors who support them,” said Board Chair Carolyn Jabs. “For myself, I’ve found the Women’s Fund is the best antidote to discouragement. It is truly a joy to work with other committed women who understand the impact we can have when we pool our resources for the common good,” she said.
Since 2004, the Women’s Fund has contributed over $14 million to local nonprofits that address critical community needs and enhance the quality of life for women, children, and families in south Santa Barbara County. The 2025-2026 grant recipients include:
AHA Attitude, Harmony, Achievement - $150,000 gap funding over two years to sustain in-school social-emotional learning programs led by facilitators to help teens build emotional management, deep listening, and social skills.
Angels Foster Care - $60,000 to replace an aging vehicle with a new hybrid SUV to transport foster children to medical appointments, court hearings, and family visitations.
Community Partners in Caring - $62,500 to support new staff to recruit and train volunteers who will provide door-to-door transportation and social interaction for local seniors and adults with disabilities.
Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County - $200,000 gap funding over two years for a full-time school therapist to provide mental health screenings, crisis response, and counseling local junior high and high school students.
Friendship Adult Day Care Center - $82,500 to hire a Transportation Coordinator and part-time driver to provide safe, reliable facility transport for members living with dementia.
Mission Scholars - $150,000 over two years to partially fund a staff position for one-on-one mentorship, career coaching, and leadership workshops to help low-income first-generation students apply for college, graduate, and secure employment.
Planned Parenthood California Central Coast - $200,000 gap funding over two years to keep the Santa Barbara Health Center open and provide essential reproductive healthcare to patients.
Santa Barbara Meals on Wheels - $100,000 gap funding over two years to sustain existing affordable food delivery services and wellness checks for homebound seniors living in the city of Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara Rescue Mission - $150,000 to remodel an existing storage space into an eight-bed dormitory to provide stabilization and trauma-informed care for women awaiting addiction treatment.
Veggie Rescue - $120,000 to purchase a refrigerated truck to safely transport and deliver surplus fresh and packaged food to its nonprofit partners.
More information about each of these grantees can be found here.
Membership in the Women’s Fund is open to all women who are committed to making a difference in our community through collective giving. To join or learn more, visit www.womensfundsb.org