The Women's Fund of Santa Barbara is a volunteer-led collective donor organization that enables women to combine our charitable dollars into significant grants addressing the critical needs of women, children, and families in south Santa Barbara County. The Women’s Fund educates and inspires women to engage in making lasting change in our community.
The Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara is structured around pooled member contributions and annual research and voting, producing transformational grants for women, children, and families in south Santa Barbara County. That collective model shows up in the size of its awards: recent grants include $200,000 for SB Act - Santa Barbara Alliance for Community Transformation to staff and supply a permanent homelessness navigation center, and $140,000 to Alpha Resource Center of Santa Barbara for air conditioning and automated doors. The grantmaking is closely tied to local service delivery, with funding used for case management, shelter, mental health, child care, and basic-needs infrastructure. The foundation’s recent awards also reflect a strong preference for capacity-building rather than one-time program support. Dignitymoves received $125,000 for a child-care center at the Family Village, while Leap Listen Engage Advocate Partner received $120,000 for gap funding for a child-care program. Other large grants went to agencies serving unaccompanied immigrant children, survivors of intimate partner violence, homeless families, youth with disabilities, and children in early learning settings. Across the recent grants list, the pattern is consistent: substantial local grants aimed at specific operational or facility needs.
Early childhood education and child care are recurring priorities. The foundation gave $125,000 to Dignitymoves for a child-care center at the Family Village and $120,000 to Leap Listen Engage Advocate Partner for gap funding for a child-care program. It also awarded $100,000 to Santa Barbara Education Foundation for an outdoor learning environment for pre-school and elementary students. Youth and family safety is another clear focus. Santa Barbara County Immigrant Legal Defense Center received $130,000 for case management for unaccompanied immigrant children, and Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara received $100,000 for legal services for survivors of intimate partner violence. Health and behavioral health grants appear in multiple forms. Family Service Agency received $100,000 for a community mental health navigator pilot program, while Cada - Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse received $100,000 for vehicles for substance use disorder services. The foundation also funded Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics with $100,000 for a mobile dental clinic.
$1.1M
$2.4M
$1.5M
$1.2M
Most grants fall between $75K and $100K, with a median of $100K.
25th Percentile
$75K
Median
$100K
75th Percentile
$100K
About 100% of grants go to recipients in CA.
JAMIE DUFEK
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Typical awards are large: the 25th percentile is $75,000, the median is $100,000, and the 75th percentile is $100,000. The recent grant list shows a strong clustering at $100,000 and above, with several awards at $100,000, $120,000, $125,000, and $200,000. This is a member-driven collective giving model funded through pooled contributions, and the annual grant programs are described as transformational grants. Grants are invitation-based rather than unsolicited, and the available records show repeated support for the same local issue areas across multiple years, including homelessness, child care, mental health, and family services.
Giving is entirely local: 100% of recent grants went to recipients in California, and the top giving geography is Santa Barbara County. Most awards land in Santa Barbara and nearby communities such as Goleta and Carpinteria. Examples from the recent grants list include SB Act - Santa Barbara Alliance for Community Transformation in Santa Barbara, Leap Listen Engage Advocate Partner in Goleta, Casa Pacifica in Goleta, and Girls Inc of Carpinteria in Carpinteria. The pattern is concentrated in south Santa Barbara County, including Isla Vista and Carpinteria.
It supports local nonprofit organizations serving women, children, and families in south Santa Barbara County. Recent grants went to organizations working on homelessness navigation, child care, foster youth transition, domestic violence services, mental health, substance use disorder services, and basic-needs infrastructure.
Typical grants are substantial. The listed distribution shows a 25th percentile of $75,000, a median of $100,000, and a 75th percentile of $100,000, with recent awards reaching $200,000.
No. The active grant programs listed for the fund indicate that grants are invite-based, with accepts unsolicited marked false across the grantmaking programs.
The giving is local. All recent grants in the dataset went to California recipients, and the foundation’s geographic scope is south Santa Barbara County, including Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria, and Isla Vista.
Repeated themes include early childhood education and child care, homelessness services, mental health, domestic violence support, and services for youth and families. The recent grants also include support for unaccompanied immigrant children, youth with disabilities, substance use disorder services, and food access.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SB ACT - SANTA BARBARA ALLIANCE FOR COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | STAFF AND SUPPLIES FOR PERMANENT HOMELESSNESS NAVIGATION CENTER |
| DIGNITYMOVES | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $125,000 | 2025 | CHILD-CARE CENTER AT THE FAMILY VILLAGE |
| LEAP LISTEN ENGAGE ADVOCATE PARTNER | GOLETA, CA | $120,000 | 2025 | GAP FUNDING FOR CHILD-CARE PROGRAM |
| SANTA BARBARA POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $110,000 | 2025 | RENOVATION OF TEEN CENTER |
| PATHPOINT | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $105,000 | 2025 | SHOWER INSTALLATION FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROPERTIES |
| CITY NET | LONG BEACH, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | MOBILE SAFE SPACE FOR HOMELESS WOMEN |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT WALLS - SANTA BARBARA STREET MEDICINE | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT FOR HOMELESS CLIENTS |
| CADA - COUNCIL ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | VEHICLES FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES |
| CASA PACIFICA | GOLETA, CA | $90,000 | 2025 | EXPANSION OF MOBILE YOUTH CRISIS SERVICES |
| UNITY SHOPPE | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | PURCHASE AND STOCKING OF REFRIGERATION UNITS |
| ALPHA RESOURCE CENTER OF SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $140,000 | 2024 | AIR CONDITIONING AND AUTOMATED DOORS |
| SANTA BARBARA COUNTY IMMIGRANT LEGAL DEFENSE CENTER | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $130,000 | 2024 | CASE MANAGEMENT FOR UNACCOMPANIED IMMIGRANT CHILDREN |
| LEGAL AID FOUNDATION OF SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR SURVIVORS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE |
| INDEPENDENT LIVING RESOURCE CENTER | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | INDEPENDENT LIVING SUPPORT FOR YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES |
| FAMILY SERVICE AGENCY | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH NAVIGATOR PILOT PROGRAM |
| ST VINCENT'S SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST FOR HOMELESS MOTHERS |
| HILLSIDE HOUSE SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | ADAPTIVE VAN TO ACCOMMODATE WHEELCHAIRS |
| FOOD FROM THE HEART OF SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $75,000 | 2024 | TRUCK TO COLLECT AND DISTRIBUTE PRODUCE |
| 2ND STORY ASSOCIATES | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | FURNISHINGS FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION CALIFORNIA CENTRAL COAST CHAPTER | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | ALZHEIMERS EDUCATION AND SUPPORT FOR LATINO FAMILIES |
| SANCTUARY CENTERS OF SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $100,000 | 2023 | MENTAL HEALTH INTEGRATED CARE CLINIC SERVING YOUTH |
| GIRLS INC OF CARPINTERIA | CARPINTERIA, CA | $100,000 | 2023 | ON-CAMPUS MENTAL WELLNESS PROGRAM |
| FREEDOM 4 YOUTH | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $100,000 | 2023 | FEM-POWERMENT PROGRAM FOR GIRLS IN THE JUVENILE LEGAL SYSTEM |
| SB ACT - SANTA BARBARA ALLIANCE FOR COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $100,000 | 2023 | NEIGHBORHOOD NAVIGATION CENTERS EXPANSION |
| SANTA BARBARA NEIGHBORHOOD CLINICS | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $100,000 | 2023 | MOBILE DENTAL CLINIC |
| SANTA BARBARA EDUCATION FOUNDATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $100,000 | 2023 | HARDING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OUTDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR PRE-SCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY |
| DIGNITYMOVES | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $75,000 | 2023 | CASE MANAGEMENT OFFICE FOR INTERIM HOUSING COMMUNITY |
| CHANNEL ISLANDS YMCA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $75,000 | 2023 | NEW FACILITY FOR STREET OUTREACH SERVICES FOR YOUTH |
| FOODBANK OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $55,000 | 2023 | HOME DELIVERY OF GROCERIES TO SENIORS |
| STORYTELLER CHILDREN'S CENTER | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $55,000 | 2023 | FAMILY ADVOCATE PROGRAM |
| PEOPLE'S SELF-HELP HOUSING | SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA | $40,000 | 2023 | COLLEGE CLUB |
SB ACT - SANTA BARBARA ALLIANCE FOR COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION
$200,000STAFF AND SUPPLIES FOR PERMANENT HOMELESSNESS NAVIGATION CENTER
DIGNITYMOVES
$125,000CHILD-CARE CENTER AT THE FAMILY VILLAGE
LEAP LISTEN ENGAGE ADVOCATE PARTNER
$120,000GAP FUNDING FOR CHILD-CARE PROGRAM
SANTA BARBARA POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE
$110,000RENOVATION OF TEEN CENTER
PATHPOINT
$105,000SHOWER INSTALLATION FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROPERTIES
CITY NET
$100,000MOBILE SAFE SPACE FOR HOMELESS WOMEN
DOCTORS WITHOUT WALLS - SANTA BARBARA STREET MEDICINE
$100,000INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT FOR HOMELESS CLIENTS
CADA - COUNCIL ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE
$100,000VEHICLES FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES
CASA PACIFICA
$90,000EXPANSION OF MOBILE YOUTH CRISIS SERVICES
UNITY SHOPPE
$75,000PURCHASE AND STOCKING OF REFRIGERATION UNITS
ALPHA RESOURCE CENTER OF SANTA BARBARA
$140,000AIR CONDITIONING AND AUTOMATED DOORS
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY IMMIGRANT LEGAL DEFENSE CENTER
$130,000CASE MANAGEMENT FOR UNACCOMPANIED IMMIGRANT CHILDREN
LEGAL AID FOUNDATION OF SANTA BARBARA
$100,000LEGAL SERVICES FOR SURVIVORS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
INDEPENDENT LIVING RESOURCE CENTER
$100,000INDEPENDENT LIVING SUPPORT FOR YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES
FAMILY SERVICE AGENCY
$100,000COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH NAVIGATOR PILOT PROGRAM
ST VINCENT'S SANTA BARBARA
$100,000PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST FOR HOMELESS MOTHERS
HILLSIDE HOUSE SANTA BARBARA
$100,000ADAPTIVE VAN TO ACCOMMODATE WHEELCHAIRS
FOOD FROM THE HEART OF SANTA BARBARA
$75,000TRUCK TO COLLECT AND DISTRIBUTE PRODUCE
2ND STORY ASSOCIATES
$50,000FURNISHINGS FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION CALIFORNIA CENTRAL COAST CHAPTER
$30,000ALZHEIMERS EDUCATION AND SUPPORT FOR LATINO FAMILIES
SANCTUARY CENTERS OF SANTA BARBARA
$100,000MENTAL HEALTH INTEGRATED CARE CLINIC SERVING YOUTH
GIRLS INC OF CARPINTERIA
$100,000ON-CAMPUS MENTAL WELLNESS PROGRAM
FREEDOM 4 YOUTH
$100,000FEM-POWERMENT PROGRAM FOR GIRLS IN THE JUVENILE LEGAL SYSTEM
SB ACT - SANTA BARBARA ALLIANCE FOR COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION
$100,000NEIGHBORHOOD NAVIGATION CENTERS EXPANSION
SANTA BARBARA NEIGHBORHOOD CLINICS
$100,000MOBILE DENTAL CLINIC
SANTA BARBARA EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$100,000HARDING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OUTDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR PRE-SCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY
DIGNITYMOVES
$75,000CASE MANAGEMENT OFFICE FOR INTERIM HOUSING COMMUNITY
CHANNEL ISLANDS YMCA
$75,000NEW FACILITY FOR STREET OUTREACH SERVICES FOR YOUTH
FOODBANK OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
$55,000HOME DELIVERY OF GROCERIES TO SENIORS
STORYTELLER CHILDREN'S CENTER
$55,000FAMILY ADVOCATE PROGRAM
PEOPLE'S SELF-HELP HOUSING
$40,000COLLEGE CLUB
Current and upcoming funding from Women'S Fund of Santa Barbara that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Agencies must share the mission to support women, children, and families in south Santa Barbara County; have annual revenue up to $500,000; and have IRS approval or a qualified fiscal agent. Grants are unrestricted.
Deadline: Applications accepted June 1-30, 2026; application deadline June 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.; awardees announced in early November 2026.
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