Stepping up Then and Now: Santa Barbara Foundation

With nearly a century of experience serving the Central Coast, the Santa Barbara Foundation (SBF) has always been there when […more…]

Santa Barbara Foundation Leads Our Philanthropic Community Through Thick and Thin

There are an estimated 1,900 nonprofit organizations in Santa Barbara County, each dedicated to helping the community in some way. […more…]

The Banker Bent on Changing the World

Though his parents are from the Bronx, George Leis spent a good chunk of his wonder years growing up in […more…]

Finding a Community of Giving

As philanthropists, it is our view that wealth is both a blessing and a responsibility. We have been most fortunate […more…]

Santa Barbara Foundation’s Social Good

Writing this inaugural issue of The Giving List has entailed speaking with and studying the work of 52 of Santa […more…]

The Great Outdoors

Some Zoom backgrounds are better than others, like the one of Deer Valley, Utah’s mountains just starting to show some […more…]

Simon Pivots to Social Justice

Rachel Simon would be the first to admit she was blessed by the circumstances of her birth.  Her father is […more…]

The Hands-on Giver

Leslie Ridley-Tree’s prodigious philanthropical career began more than 30 years ago, precisely on February 14, 1988 upon her marriage to […more…]

Philanthropic Joy

Sara Miller McCune has been discreetly and powerfully fueling the performing arts, education, social justice, and the Jewish community in […more…]

To Truly Make a Difference

One risks straining credulity when asserting that a person radiates warmth over a Zoom call. Nonetheless, here is Dr. Ed […more…]

Why Give?

My parents, Michael and Gail Towbes, moved to Santa Barbara County in 1957, and from the beginning, they were deeply […more…]

Better Together: How Deckers Brands Exemplifies Values-Driven Giving

How many international corporations do you know that pay their employees to engage in volunteering in their local communities? Deckers […more…]

The Creator of Kinko’s is No Copycat

Paul and Jane Orfalea have always empathized with those who fall “outside the system” because outside the system is where […more…]

The Nonprofit Prophet

Even the most vociferous critics of genetic engineering would have to concede: we need more Ken Saxons in the world. […more…]

Practically Visionary

If there was a Six Degrees of Connection Game for Enlightened Entrepreneurs, Rinaldo S. Brutoco would win it handily, along […more…]

Investing in Community and Getting Better Returns than Wall Street

Tom Parker has been marinating in Santa Barbara philanthropy since the 1950s when, as a kid, he and his dad […more…]

Santa Barbara Foundation

Donate now!

sbfoundation.org
(805) 963-1873
Vice President, Philanthropic Services: Tammy Johnson

What We Do

For over 92 years, the Santa Barbara Foundation has been a catalyst for change. We analyze issues to identify challenges that burden people every day in Santa Barbara County. We convene community stakeholders to build coalitions and partner with nonprofits and other leaders working on the front lines. Together, we chart a direction and mobilize people like you to support the dynamic initiatives that makes this a better place, now and for generations to come.

Begin to Build a Relationship

We know you care about where your money goes and how it is used. Connect with this organization’s leadership in order to begin to build this important relationship. Your email will be sent directly to this organization’s director of development and/or Executive Director.

The Foundation is the “community living room,” a place where donors, community members, and leaders of its business, nonprofit, education, and civic sectors can gather, “to discuss and problem solve. Collaboration is layered into everything we do.
Tammy Johnson,
Vice President, Philanthropic Services

LEADERSHIP IN ACTION

The Santa Barbara Foundation leads the effort to bring people and resources together to work for large scale, sustainable improvements in the community. We do that by facilitating dialogue among stakeholders- business leaders, government representatives, leaders of nonprofit organizations, residents and funders who want to create positive change. We look for the chance to form strategic partnerships to leverage our collective strengths and maximize the power of our donor’s dollars. Because we do extensive research into the greatest needs of the community and the people who deliver services, we are positioned to champion specific causes and organizations. We then advocate for the funding to transform innovative ideas into reality. Learn more about our work within the community.

STRATEGIC GRANTMAKING

There are approximately 1,900 nonprofits in Santa Barbara County. Even the most diligent donor would find it daunting to try to learn about all of them and vet their work. In partnering with the Santa Barbara Foundation, donors can be assured that we award our grants through a rigorous process of research, planning, due diligence and evaluation. We work to identify and prioritize critical needs for strategic grantmaking requiring special focus and additional organizational resources. Once funded, we monitor and evaluate these initiatives for impact. We are committed to working with providers to maximize their effectiveness. Learn more about our grantmaking.

PARTNERS IN PHILANTHROPY

We are grateful that for more than 90 years the people of Santa Barbara County have trusted us to steward their charitable assets. Our team of philanthropic advisors help donors navigate the logistics of giving, and work with them to create a customized plan that aligns with their goals. As a community foundation, we have a responsibility to expand financial capital by reaching out to individuals and institutions to raise funds. We are committed to pooling our collective resources with those of forward-thinking funders to build scalable solutions. The Santa Barbara Foundation invites and encourages all donors, contributing all size donations, to join us. Learn more and become a Partner in Philanthropy.

SUPPORTING THE SOCIAL SECTOR

The Santa Barbara Foundation believes a healthy, high-achieving, creative social sector enables our county to fulfill its potential. To help make our nonprofits stronger and more resilient, we share knowledge through a series of capacity building workshops, leadership development, and technical assistance programs. We engage with practitioners to develop successful approaches for improved outcomes in the community. We connect them with funders and other nonprofits to make their efforts more powerful. Since this can be a demanding line of work, we recognize and reward hard work and excellence of those working in the social sector. Learn more about the Collaboration for Social Impact.