On January 24, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara hosted a reception for new and prospective members to meet others and learn more about this volunteer-led collective donor group of 900 Santa Barbara-area women. Held at Garden Court and sponsored by Mission Wealth, the evening began with a lively reception. Then Membership Chair Lynn Karlson welcomed the 130 guests and shared how the Women’s Fund supports the critical needs of women, children, and families in south Santa Barbara County. Areas of support include early child development, education, domestic violence, employment skills, food and nutrition, homelessness, juvenile justice and violence prevention, mental health, and seniors.

Banding Together for Big Impact 

Banding together to parlay small donations into large — and often transformational — grants for worthy causes, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara “expects to award one million dollars or more in 2024, our largest grants pool ever,” shared Jamie Dufek, the all-volunteer board chair who leads this diverse “giving circle” of about 1,300 local women. Since its establishment in 2004, for the past 20 years, the Women’s Fund has been on a mission to educate and inspire women to engage in making lasting change in our community, and together they pool their charitable dollars to create a significant impact on the lives of women, children, and families in South Santa Barbara County.

On Monday, April 28, 2014, the Women's Fund of Santa Barbara awarded grants totaling $550,000 to nine local nonprofit agencies at its 10th Annual Presentation of Funds Luncheon.

At its 12th annual Presentation of Grants Reception at The Fess Parker on Monday, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara awarded $470,000 to seven local nonprofit organizations.

An all-volunteer, collective donor group with 668 members, the Women’s Fund combines the donations of its members into significant grants focused on the critical needs of women, children and families in south Santa Barbara County.

Over an eight-month period, its research committee conducts in-depth research of programs at local nonprofit organizations and submits a ballot of organization finalists to the general membership for a vote on the ultimate grantees.

Last year, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara (WFSB) posed a lofty goal to its members; to raise $1 million in funding for 2024 in honor of its 20th anniversary.

The team at the WFSB has just announced it met and exceeded that goal, with an estimated record-breaking grants pool of $1.125 million. Indeed, happy 20th Anniversary!

Their annual celebration of the 2024 grantees is scheduled for May 7 at the Lobero Theatre.

What’s new this year for the grantees is increased grant amounts due to inflation, increasing capital costs, the need to keep staff salaries competitive, as well as introducing a two-year grant.

At a celebration luncheon held at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Hotel, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara received a Community Dividends® Award of $5,000 from Montecito Bank and Trust. The award recognizes the Women’s Fund for community enrichment through service, excellence, and compassion. Shown here are Suzi Schomer, Sr. VP, Montecito Bank & Trust and Carolyn Jabs, Board Vice-Chair of the Women’s Fund.

Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara Board Chair Jamie Dufek and Commission for Women (First District) Commissioner Geordie Scully

The Board of Supervisors of Santa Barbara County has adopted a resolution recognizing the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara (WFSB) as the 2023 Commission for Women Service Award Recipient for the First District.

The Commission for Women promotes the equitable and equal status, and well-being of women in Santa Barbara County. First District Commissioner Geordie Scully presented the award to WFSB Chair Jamie Dufek. Das Williams, Chair of the County Board of Supervisors, expressed his support of the Women’s Fund and acknowledged the investment it has been making in the community.

The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County will host its 8th Annual Table of Life Gala, 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Montecito estate of Betsey and John Moller.

The 2019 event will benefit local college and university students facing hunger and homelessness, and will honor the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara, which (worth noting on the eve of the 2020 centennial of the 19th Amendment guarantee of women’s right to vote) typifies and advances the powerful impact of women taking collective action for the common good.

“The Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara identifies food and nutrition as a vital need in our community,” said Shelley Hurst, Women’s Fund steering chair.

Twenty years ago, a group of twelve women embarked on a mission to help women, children, and families in Santa Barbara. 

The small group wanted to support nonprofits for those most vulnerable in a big way. 

“We started with twelve women around a table … who had a vision for this kind of giving model in the community. And it’s one of those timeless models that works … that people get excited about," said board chair Jamie Dufek of the Women's Fund of Santa Barbara.

Over the years, the Women’s Fund grew into a powerhouse of sorts, increasing in size to 1,300 members along with hundreds of volunteers.

Board members Lauren Trujillo, Jamie Dufek (Chair) and Lynn Karlson (former Chair) 

The Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara, an all-volunteer nonprofit that pools the donations of its 1,300 members to make large grants, will award a record $1.125 million this year to local nonprofits serving women, children, and families. While the organization has grown immensely in its 20 years, the underlying concept remains the same.