As part of our strategic plan to leverage our growth and maximize our community impact, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara has thoroughly researched the viability of becoming an independent nonprofit. The question that guided our research was clear—would the community benefit from the Women’s Fund becoming an independent nonprofit? Ultimately, the answer was yes, an emphatic yes.

Therefore, we have applied for our tax-exempt status and plan to begin operating as an independent nonprofit on January 1, 2020. We do this with the full support of the Santa Barbara Foundation where we have been a Field of Interest Fund since 2004.

At its 16th annual Celebration of Grants held on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara awarded grants totaling $685,000 to nine local nonprofit agencies  The event marked the end of the 2019-2020 Women’s Fund grant cycle and honored its newest grantees, voted on by the membership of nearly 1,100 women. Since 2004, these generous women have been combining their charitable dollars into significant grants.  To date, nearly $7.9 million has been distributed to 111 local area nonprofit programs serving over 100,000 women, children and families in Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria.

At its May 5 virtual Celebration of Grants event, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara awarded a record $750,000 to 10 local nonprofits. Members tuned in to see which of the organizations on the ballots they cast received the funds and to learn more about the work of these organizations. As in prior years, the grants were targeted at the critical needs of women, children, and families in south Santa Barbara County.

The Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara announces the election of its all-volunteer board of directors for 2023.  A giving circle that enables women to combine their charitable dollars into significant grants, the Women’s Fund has donated more than $9.56 million to local nonprofits since 2004. The grants address the critical needs of women, children, and families in south Santa Barbara County.

Elected to officer roles for the 1,100-member organization are Board Chair Jamie Dufek, Treasurer Kathy Dunlap, and Corporate Secretary Sabina White. 

A local YMCA service for homeless young adults has made big strides since it’s opening day.

Last year, the Youth & Family Services YMCA in Santa Barbara opened its newest location, the Haley St. Navigation Center.

It now serves as the only day-time drop-in center for young adults up to 24 years old who are experiencing homelessness and housing instability in the city.

This year, the center is projected to serve over 180 young people in need, more than doubling the total number of clients served compared to last year.

First, a little background—in May 2016, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara gave TRADART Foundation a $50,000 grant, earmarked for materials to build three Tiny Houses on the campuses of Santa Barbara’s three high schools—Santa Barbara, San Marcos and Dos Pueblos. To ensure the sustainability of the program, upon the completion of the Tiny Houses, they are to be sold and the proceeds used to fund the construction of three more houses.