This week all 2011 Women's Fund voting members will receive a ballot package describing the 12 nonprofit agencies that are candidates to receive 2011-12 Women's Fund grants.

Thanks to your support and the remainder of Betty Elings Wells' matching grant, we have $520,000 to grant to worthy agencies this year.

Agencies that receive the most votes will be awarded grants announced at our exciting Presentation of Funds Luncheon at the Doubletree on Monday, April 30. Members who contributed $250 or more during 2011 will be sent an electronic invitation to this luncheon in April.

. . .we hope you will attend the special Captains' meeting at 9:30 a.m., Friday, March 23 at the Harbor Restaurant. You'll learn more about this year's ballot that you can share with your Groups when you gather to vote.

As in past years, all 2011 Women's Fund members will receive ballot packages for review but only 2011 Individual Members and Group Captains will have official ballots for voting.

To be counted, completed ballots must be received at the Santa Barbara Foundation by 5 pm on Friday, April 6.

Our hard-working volunteer Research Committee has spent nearly a year engaged in a rigorous research process investigating issues and agencies on behalf of our Women's Fund membership.

To provide a context for this year's ballot, WF researchers have prepared additional information that may help in your voting. Click here to see:

• Overview of the three issues that our WF members asked us to research in 2011, resulting in our 2011-12 ballot.

• Links to additional resource materials.

. . .for underwriting the production and distribution of our ballot package. With nearly 600 members, it is a big job and we are grateful for their support.