Strategic Grantmaking

More than 2,000 local nonprofits serve our neighbors in need throughout Santa Barbara County. SBF supports both our donors and nonprofit organizations with diligent grantmaking. We build trust by carefully reviewing grant applications, tracking and celebrating our nonprofit partners’ successes, and by offering support they need to thrive.

In 2022, we transitioned our Community Engagement funding from annual grants to a multi-year cycle. SBF commits to two years of support for approved grantees, coupled with technical assistance and capacity building offerings. This change allows nonprofits to spend less time and resources on grant applications and reporting, so they can devote their valuable

DISCRETIONARY INVESTMENTS

$6,400,000 total

The Santa Barbara Foundation provided $6.4 million in discretionary dollars (funds granted at the Foundation’s discretion) to support basic needs such as behavioral health and health care; food; shelter and safety; addressing the needs of our working families, including child care, education, workforce development, and workforce housing; as well as supporting our nonprofit sector through the Collaboration for Social Impact (CSI). (Learn more about CSI on page 10.)

A. Arts, Culture & Humanities: 9%

B. Behavioral Health: 4%

C. Education & Youth Development: 36%

D. Environment & Animals: 9%

E. Food Systems: 2% attention to providing services to the community and pursuing additional funding opportunities.

Our Conservation, Environment, and Public Trails fund, launched in 2021, grew and advanced multiple projects in 2022 to protect and ensure access to our local natural spaces.

See page 20 for a complete list of the nonprofit partners SBF supported with discretionary funds provided by our generous donors.

We also administered a disaster relief grant program for small- and micro-business owners and self-employed residents that kept many in business in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

F. Health Care: 5%

G. Housing & Shelter: 3%

H. Human Services: 15%

I. Public & Societal Benefit (Collaboration for Social Impact): 16%

J. Other: 1%

Santa Barbara Foundation