Advancing progressive change by strengthening movements for Economic, Environmental, Political, Racial, and Social Justice.
Fund for Santa Barbara Inc backs movement-building and equity work across Santa Barbara County, with grantmaking that reaches racial justice, immigrant legal relief, housing justice, environmental justice, worker rights, and youth leadership. A distinctive feature of the fund is its mix of general support and issue-specific grants for local organizing groups, from anti-racism work to rapid-response support for urgent community needs. Recent awards show that it funds both established institutions and grassroots coalitions. In 2025, Healing Justice Santa Barbara received $60,000 for general support, while Collective Cultures Creating Change - Lompoc received $54,570 for a program or project. The fund also supported Martin Luther King Jr Committee Santa Barbara with $48,300 for general support, and One Community Action of Santa Maria Valley with $30,000 for a program or project. Other grants reached groups working on immigrant relief, cultural celebration, women’s health, and tenant or housing advocacy, reflecting a portfolio organized around community organizing and systemic change rather than isolated services.
In racial equity and anti-racism work, the fund gave $100,000 to Santa Barbara Foundation for preservation of Black leg, and $30,000 to National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Santa Maria-lom for general support. Cultural and commemorative work also appears in the grant list, including $25,000 to Santa Maria Lompoc NAACP for Juneteenth Celebration. Health equity is another visible area. Planned Parenthood California Central Coast received $30,000 for general support, while Savie Health Corp received $18,500 for movement building/Stop the Hate. The fund also supports youth-facing organizing: Santa Barbara County Action N received $20,000 for Youth Alive, and Gateway Educational Services received $15,000 for a program or project. Immigrant advocacy is present through the Tri-County Immigrant Relief Fund, which supports legal representation and emergency services across Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties.
Typical awards cluster in a relatively tight range: p25 is $8,500, median is $10,000, and p75 is $14,400. The recent list also includes larger grants, but the center of gravity sits around five-figure awards. The fund’s portfolio includes both one-time program support and longer-running movement-building grants; the Multi-Year Movement Building Grant is specifically reserved for pre-existing partners with at least three funding cycles and covers 24 months. It accepts unsolicited applications in some programs, including the Racial Equity Fund and Capacity Building offerings, while other programs are invitation-only or partner-based.
$464K
$5.6M
$3.7M
$2.4M
Most grants fall between $9K and $14K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$14K
Eric Cardenas
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Grantmaking is entirely in California, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. The strongest city-level presence is in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Maria, and Lompoc, with additional grants in Ventura, Oxnard, and New Cuyama. Santa Barbara County is the core geographic frame for most programs, while the Tri-County Immigrant Relief Fund extends into Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties. Recent recipients include organizations in Goleta, Santa Maria, and Ventura as well as smaller communities such as Lompoc and New Cuyama.
It supports nonprofit organizations and community groups working on economic, environmental, political, racial, and social justice. The recent grant list also shows support for immigrant legal relief, youth leadership, housing justice, women’s health, and cultural and racial equity work.
The distribution centers on modest grants: p25 is $8,500, the median is $10,000, and p75 is $14,400. Some programs allow larger awards, including a movement-building grant program up to $40,000 and a county racial equity grant program up to $100,000.
Yes. The Multi-Year Movement Building Grant supports pre-existing partners with a significant funding history, defined as three or more funding cycles, and provides support over 24 months.
Some programs accept unsolicited applications, including the Racial Equity Fund and Capacity Building workshops and resources. Other programs, such as the Multi-Year Movement Building Grant and the Tri-County Immigrant Relief Fund, are not open to unsolicited applications.
Its giving is local and entirely in California. Santa Barbara County is the main geography, and the Tri-County Immigrant Relief Fund also covers Ventura County and San Luis Obispo County.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Fund for Santa Barbara that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applicants must meet fund-specific eligibility requirements and undergo eligibility review. Stipends must be used for event accessibility initiatives and expended within six months.
Deadline: Rolling basis; stipends must be expended within six months.
Who can apply: Requests must support nonpartisan work protecting or expanding equitable ballot access, including civic engagement and voter education targeting low-propensity voters, and must meet The FUND’s general guidelines and eligibility requirements. Pre-application screening is required.
Deadline: Offered year-round until funds are exhausted; three-month funding term.
Who can apply: Applicants must meet the general eligibility criteria and submit an inquiry outlining the emerging need and urgency, demonstrating alignment with the Fund's guidelines and priorities. Applicants must undergo staff screening and be deemed eligible. Requests for poor planning, management, cash-flow problems, depletion of funds, or insufficient fundraising efforts are not considered.
Deadline: No fixed deadline stated; intended for urgent, extraordinary circumstances.
Who can apply: Applicants must meet The FUND’s general Funding Guidelines and Priorities and the fund-specific eligibility requirements. Details are available from The FUND upon inquiry.
Deadline: Offered year-round until funds are exhausted; 12-month funding term.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEALING JUSTICE SANTA BARBARA (HJSB) | GOLETA, CA | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COLLECTIVE CULTURES CREATING CHANGE - LOMPOC | LOMPOC, CA | $54,570 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT |
| MARTIN LUTHER KING JR COMMITTEE SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $48,300 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE SANTA MARIA-LOM | SANTA MARIA, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD CALIFORNIA CENTRAL COAST | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CAUSE ACTION FUND | VENTURA, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ONE COMMUNITY ACTION OF SANTA MARIA VALLEY | SANTA MARIA, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT |
| SANTA BARBARA ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER SOLIDARITY NETWORK (SBAAPISN) | VENTURA, CA | $18,380 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT |
| GATEWAY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT |
| 805UNDOCUFUND | LOMPOC, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT |
| SB ACT | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT |
| SAVIE HEALTH | LOMPOC, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NORTHERN CHUMASH TRIBAL COUNCIL | GUADALUPE, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT |
| AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN LOMPOC-VANDENBERG BRANCH | LOMPOC, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT |
| SANTA BARBARA NAACP | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT |
| SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ACTION NETWORK (SBCAN) | SANTA MARIA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FOOD ACTION NETWORK | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ROUTE ONE FARMERS MARKET | LOMPOC, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LOMPOC VALLEY COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATION | LOMPOC, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT |
| MIXTECO INDIGENA COMMUNITY ORGANIZING PROJECT (MICOP) | OXNARD, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT |
| SAN LUIS OBISPO MOTHERS FOR PEACE | SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA | $8,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT |
| CENTRAL COAST ALLIANCE UNITED FOR A SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY | VENTURA, CA | $8,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FUTURE FOR LOMPOC YOUTH (FLY) | LOMPOC, CA | $7,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT |
| NAACP SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $7,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT |
| AWAKENING GIANTZ | SANTA MARIA, CA | $5,530 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT |
| Blue Sky Sustainable Living C | New Cuyama, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| FLA | Oxnard, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| Independent Living Resource C | Santa Barbara, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| USA Green Communities | Santa Barbara, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | General Operating |
| Family Service Agency | Santa Barbara, CA | $24,000 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| Freedom 4 Youth F4Y | Santa Barbara, CA | $18,500 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| Planned Parenthood California | Santa Barbara, CA | $18,500 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| Savie Health Corp | Lompoc, CA | $18,500 | 2024 | Movement Building/Stop the Hate |
| Santa MariaLompoc NAACP | Santa Maria, CA | $13,860 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| Central Coast Alliance for a | Ventura, CA | $12,000 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| Mixteco Indigena Community Or | Oxnard, CA | $11,000 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| UC Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| San Luis Obispo Mothers for P | San Luis Obispo, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | Close Diablo Nuclear Plant |
| The BarbareoVentureo Band | Ojai, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| Committee for Social Justice | Santa Barbara, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| Community Health Centers of t | Santa Maria, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| Gateway Educational Services | Santa Barbara, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| The Seventh Generation Fund f | Santa Barbara, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| Quail Springs | Maricopa, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| Awakening Giantz Inc | Santa Maria, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| Carpinteria Childrens Projec | Carpinteria, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| Peoples Justice Project Inc | Santa Barbara, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| House of Pride and Equality | Santa Maria, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | Movement Building |
| Diversity Collective Ventura | Ventura, CA | $8,500 | 2024 | Stop the Hate |
| Northern Chumash Tribal Counc | Los Osos, CA | $8,500 | 2024 | Stop the Hate |
HEALING JUSTICE SANTA BARBARA (HJSB)
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COLLECTIVE CULTURES CREATING CHANGE - LOMPOC
$54,570PROGRAM/PROJECT
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR COMMITTEE SANTA BARBARA
$48,300GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE SANTA MARIA-LOM
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CAUSE ACTION FUND
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ONE COMMUNITY ACTION OF SANTA MARIA VALLEY
$30,000PROGRAM/PROJECT
SANTA BARBARA ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER SOLIDARITY NETWORK (SBAAPISN)
$18,380PROGRAM/PROJECT
GATEWAY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
$15,000PROGRAM/PROJECT
SB ACT
$10,000PROGRAM/PROJECT
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN LOMPOC-VANDENBERG BRANCH
$10,000PROGRAM/PROJECT
SANTA BARBARA NAACP
$10,000PROGRAM/PROJECT
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ACTION NETWORK (SBCAN)
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FOOD ACTION NETWORK
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ROUTE ONE FARMERS MARKET
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LOMPOC VALLEY COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATION
$10,000PROGRAM/PROJECT
SAN LUIS OBISPO MOTHERS FOR PEACE
$8,500PROGRAM/PROJECT
FUTURE FOR LOMPOC YOUTH (FLY)
$7,500PROGRAM/PROJECT
NAACP SANTA BARBARA
$7,500PROGRAM/PROJECT
AWAKENING GIANTZ
$5,530PROGRAM/PROJECT
Blue Sky Sustainable Living C
$30,000Movement Building
Independent Living Resource C
$30,000Movement Building
USA Green Communities
$25,000General Operating
Santa MariaLompoc NAACP
$13,860Movement Building
UC Santa Barbara
$10,000Movement Building
San Luis Obispo Mothers for P
$10,000Close Diablo Nuclear Plant
The BarbareoVentureo Band
$10,000Movement Building
Committee for Social Justice
$10,000Movement Building
Gateway Educational Services
$10,000Movement Building
Quail Springs
$10,000Movement Building
Awakening Giantz Inc
$10,000Movement Building
Peoples Justice Project Inc
$10,000Movement Building
House of Pride and Equality
$10,000Movement Building
Diversity Collective Ventura
$8,500Stop the Hate
