After several years of discussion, the Women's Fund now has an endowment!

Thanks to a $10,000 donation from the Santa Barbara Foundation and generous commitments from three Women's Fund members, we launched the Women's Fund of Santa Barbara Endowment in December with $40,000.

Complete information will soon be on our website, but here are a few things you'll want to know:

• The purpose of the endowment is to help ensure the strength and longevity of our Women's Fund by adding annual 5% disbursements to our grants pool.

• In keeping with the spirit of the Women's Fund, no personal solicitations of our members will ever be made.

• The Women's Fund will continue to operate exactly as it always has, with annual membership donations creating the pool for our grants distributed each Spring.

• The endowment allows our members to go beyond their annual membership to give "a gift that keeps on giving" or to provide the vehicle for a bequest to the Women's Fund in their will.

• The suggested minimum donation to the endowment is $2,000, though it is hoped that those who are able will consider contributions or bequests of $10,000 or more.

Founding Chair, Carol Palladini, will be happy to discuss this wonderful new opportunity with you: carolpall@earthlink.net, or at home, 565-0342.