Canines at Home in the Ruins

How many times has a family stared in slack-jawed wonder as the adorable new family dog tears around and around the yard like a caffeinated dervish, joyously destroying absolutely everything in sight? They may be looking at a future Disaster Search Dog in waiting. As National Disaster Search Dog Foundation’s (SDF) Wilma Melville has said (with her usual economy of language) – “These dogs need to work. When left alone in a suburban backyard, they [...more...]

Supporting High-Achieving, Low-Income Students the Santa Barbara Way

Imagine a kid. He’s your son, and he has big plans. He wants to attend college and launch a startup. He wants to change the world. He always aims high, and he usually succeeds, even [...more...]

 

Giving List Matching Challenges

 

Youth Development

REACHing Students for a Life of Success REACH Fellowship

The REACH Fellowship is dedicated to serving low-income, first-generation high school students in Santa Barbara County. It combines traditional college […more…]

Investing in Lompoc’s Youth Future for Lompoc Youth

FUTURE for Lompoc Youth was born from a passion to empower the next generation of Lompoc residents. Co-founded by Chuck […more…]

Helping Kids Find Their Strengths United Boys & Girls of Santa Barbara County

When Diego first joined the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County last year, severe separation anxiety made […more…]

The Arts

Your Seats Await – Experience Another Season of Symphony Magic Santa Barbara Symphony

It was just a year ago last November that the Santa Barbara Symphony first took the stage with a rock […more…]

Removing Historic Barriers to Coastal Access Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

A cool breeze blows as a group of students walk through the Carpinteria salt marsh and down to the beach. […more…]

Revel in a New Season of Sensational Programming UCSB Arts & Lectures

UCSB Arts & Lectures turns denizens of the local community into citizens of the world. “We bring the world to […more…]

Specialty Compassion Care

Providing Struggling Children the Building Blocks for a Lifetime of Communication and Confidence RiteCare Childhood Language Center of Santa Barbara

It’s hard to overestimate the importance of communication skills for success in life. It’s something most of us take for […more…]

Joy and Community: Uplifting Those with Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson Association of Santa Barbara

The word “Parkinson’s” invokes a certain image. If you are the Parkinson Association of Santa Barbara (PASB), the image is […more…]

No One Should Have to Wait to Get Well Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse CADA

In the heart of Santa Barbara, the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADA) stands as a beacon of hope […more…]

Homelessness & Housing

A Lifetime Commitment of Care Housing Works

Deborah Leigh Stevens, 68, was living on the streets of West Hollywood in 2014, within blocks of her former apartment. […more…]

Supporting Vulnerable Mothers Through Pregnancy Villa Majella of Santa Barbara

Lauren was filled with anxiety the night she was discharged from the hospital. Six months pregnant, ill from past substance […more…]

Scaling Up to Tackle Rising Homelessness New Beginnings

A man in his 40s with tears in his eyes walked into Santa Barbara’s New Beginnings Counseling Center late one […more…]

Healthcare

Improving Health Outcomes in an Under-Resourced Community Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization

In Lompoc, California, where resources are scarce and needs are great, the Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization (LVCHO) has quietly […more…]

Little Clinics That Deliver Great Medicine Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics

Isabella Valencia has always cared for others, working as a domestic worker and caregiver for 20 years while raising three […more…]

Everybody’s Well-Being Matters Savie Health

When Abe Lincoln, the executive director of the healthcare clinic Savie Health, gets stressed about running an organization, he sits […more…]

For the Children

A New Hospital Will Change Everything. “If an African mom is saved, a whole home is saved…” Faith of a Child Foundation

Over the past 12 years, the Sonrise Baby Home has saved the lives of more than 450 malnourished, sick, and […more…]

Creating Unforgettable Experiences as Young Scouts Scouting America, Los Padres Council

Images of Boy Scouts and kids Scouting are as American as apple pie. But beyond those iconic, timeless images is […more…]

Investing in Children Now to Secure a Better Future for All Storyteller

In the first five years of life, a child’s brain will develop to 90% of its capacity, according to the […more…]

Family Well-Being

Raising Children is Sacred Work Family Service Agency

In a world where the pressures of daily life can feel overwhelming, many families find themselves stretched thin – caring […more…]

From Crisis to Hope: Changing the Mental Health Landscape for Santa Barbara Youth YouthWell

When Rachael Steidl’s daughter started struggling with depression and anxiety in 9th grade, her good grades, sports, charm, and active […more…]

Environment

Community-Led Solutions to Climate Change Community Environmental Council

California’s goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2045 can feel daunting and somewhat elusive. The Community Environmental Council (CEC) believes […more…]

Reimagining Agriculture: From Seed to Shelf White Buffalo Land Trust

White Buffalo Land Trust (WBLT) is focused on restoring our ecosystem through regenerative agriculture. Their methods represent a paradigm shift, […more…]

NatureTrack’s Nancy Stearn’s Scholarship Applications Open Now — Deadline is March 15, 2025 NatureTrack

Attention all seniors in North County High Schools.  Submissions for next year’s opportunity to earn the $5,000 NatureTrack Foundation’s Nancy […more…]

Education

Closing the College Knowledge Gap for High School Students Matriculate

Imagine a high school student in the 90th percentile or higher of their class who is enthusiastic about learning and […more…]

Growing and Delivering Healthy Food to Tackle Santa Barbara’s Food Insecurity Sweet Wheel Farms / S.B. Agriculture & Farm Education Foundation

When asked why she saved the Santa Barbara Agriculture and Farm Education (SBAFE) Foundation’s farm from development, CEO Leslie Person […more…]

Community Resilience

Delivering Life-Saving Medical Aid During the World’s Toughest Crises Direct Relief

Direct Relief navigates the war zones in Ukraine to deliver cystic fibrosis medications, transports Mpox vaccines to clinics in the […more…]

The Everyday Heroes Behind Santa Barbara’s Most Dangerous Wilderness Rescues Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue

A hiker in Santa Barbara’s wilderness hasn’t returned home, a biker crashes off the trail, a runner collapses from dehydration, or […more…]

Animals

Rescuing Abused Farm Animals and Teaching Kindness Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary

If you like stories with humble beginnings told straight from the horse’s mouth, then look no further than the story […more…]

Canines at Home in the Ruins National Disaster Search Dog Foundation

How many times has a family stared in slack-jawed wonder as the adorable new family dog tears around and around […more…]

People Helping Horses, Horses Helping People The Horse Project, Inc.

For 10 years, The Horse Project has rehomed and rehabilitated rescued horses.  Today, with the hard work of passionate volunteers, […more…]

Advocacy

Making Abortion Care Access a Reality ACCESS REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE

ACCESS REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE has been helping people gain access to abortion and reproductive care for 30 years. As the only […more…]

Legal Aid: Continuing to Close the Justice Gap Legal Aid Foundation

Earlier this fall, the Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County (LAFSBC) marked its 65th anniversary with an early evening […more…]

Shining Light on Abilities Hillside

Hillside’s 8th Annual Shining Light on Abilities kicks off on Saturday, December 7th and runs through December 31st at 1235 Veronica Springs Road in Santa Barbara. […more…]