News Release
May 12, 2014
Contact: Jessica Tade
(805) 880-9391
Santa Barbara Foundation Makes First Quarter Investments of
More than $5 Million throughout the County
Reimagines Aspirations and Responsibilities to the Community
The Santa Barbara Foundation has a commitment to the people of Santa Barbara County – one
that derives from its original mission to help improve the well-being of its residents. Now in its
86-year, the foundation is focused on having a high impact on critical community issues and
providing first-rate service to and partnerships with donor investors. By employing a wide
variety of tools to build strategic philanthropy, the foundation is helping to bring about a future
for Santa Barbara that is sustainable, vibrant, and full of possibility.
“A great community foundation must be intentional about keeping up with community changes;
about continually acquiring knowledge and expertise; and about finding new ways for
philanthropy to work for donor investors, for those working in the social sector, and ultimately,
for the people and communities it serves,” said Ron Gallo, president & CEO of the Santa
Barbara Foundation. “Put another way, it is about building into our DNA a zeal for reimagining
our responsibilities and our aspirations as an institution, but far more importantly, for
reimagining what we can do together as a community.”
As the first quarter comes to a close, the Santa Barbara Foundation is pleased to share the
following community investments already made this year:
1. Through donor advised funds, donor designated funds, and field of interest funds, the
foundation made grants totaling more than $4.8 million. This included more than $1
million given to arts, culture, and the humanities; more than $1.5 million given to
education and youth development; more than $500,000 given to the environment and
animals; and more than $500,000 given to health and human services.
2. Launched reImagine magazine, a journal of philanthropy delivering stories about the
thoughtful and exciting ways people are making big impact in their communities.
3. Introduced new community investments opportunities, committing to investing in
solutions-oriented projects in seven specific areas of priority – creative communities;
safety net service and behavioral health access; education, kindergarten readiness, and
expanded availability of child care; family caregiver support; veterans; economic
development; and the environment.
4. Provided emergency matching grant to the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County to help
address the issue of increased costs for perishable foods due to the drought.
5. Presented a $20,000 grant to the University of California, Santa Barbara to support
veteran scholarships for returning vets and their dependents.
6. Provided a regional grant to Hispanics in Philanthropy to commemorate their 30th
anniversary.
7. Helped to kick off the Santa Barbara City College Campaign for Student Success with a
gift of $25,000.
More information about becoming a donor, reImage magazine, and the foundation’s
community investment opportunities can be found at sbfoundation.org.
Challenges facing the people and communities of Santa Barbara County are not unique. The
Santa Barbara Foundation believes that community philanthropy can play a vital role in seeking
the best solutions. The foundation is a home to financial resources and intellectual capital, a
convener of people and idea, and a hub for an ever-expanding cadre of those who are working
toward a reimagined Santa Barbara County.
About the Santa Barbara Foundation:
The Santa Barbara Foundation is an 86-year-old community foundation established to enrich the
lives of the people of Santa Barbara County through philanthropy. As one of the largest private
sources of funding in the county, the foundation’s primary objectives are to build and facilitate
philanthropy through donor partnerships; strengthen the social (nonprofit) sector; and identify
and strategically address important community needs and opportunities. Guided by compassion
for the most vulnerable and those most in need of help, excellence in what it supports and with
whom it partners, and integrity with a focus on stewardship and transparency, the Santa Barbara
Foundation uses all the tools of philanthropy to help bring about a more vibrant, engaged, and
meaningfully connected Santa Barbara County…for all.
Contact:
Jessica Tade
Director of Communications and Marketing
Santa Barbara Foundation
(805) 880-9391
[email protected]
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