nearly $1 million in help

Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara provides $925,000 in grants to local organizations

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the rising costs of living, housing crisis and more, the volunteers with the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara have made it their mission to rise from these challenges.

The Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara is a volunteer-led donor organization that, according to their website (womensfundsb. org), “enables women to combine 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 the community.

As of 2023, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara has grown to 1,200 members of all ages and backgrounds and hopes to grow even more.

Recently, the Women’s Fund announced an increase in its grants to others, totalling $925,000. This is huge for the organization, as it allows it to expand its efforts to help the community and grow deeper roots in the Santa Barbara County area.

On May 9 at the Marjorie Luke Theatre in Santa Barbara, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara will host its annual Celebration of Grants, where it will award grants to various community organizations.

As explained by Kerry Parker, the Women’s Fund Communications Committee co-chair, the main areas of exploration for these grants are for family support services, housing assistance, education, mental health and health care.

Specifically, there have been community involvements in the past few months that have been a direct cause of the grants provided.

“Freedom 4 Youth” is a mission that uplifts and empowers youth impacted by the criminal legal system to build safe and compassionate communities. Last year, a Women’s Fund grant

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The Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara will host its annual Celebration of Grants May 9 at the Marjorie Luke Theatre at Santa Barbara Junior High School, 721 E. Cota St., Santa Barbara. A reception will take place 4:45 to 5:40 p.m., followed by the awards presentation from 6 to 7 p.m.

This event is open to members of the Women’s Fund and those who are aspiring to become members. To purchase tickets, go to womensfundsb.org/event/celebration-grants-2023.

To become a member, visit womensfundsb.org.

Pink Moon

The full Pink Moon - April’s full moon and the first moon in the spring season - descends behind Santa Barbara Airport’s air traffic control tower on Thursday. The Pink Moon’s name references the blooming flowers and trees that spring season brings. This full moon is also known as the Paschal full moon and holds significant importance to those that celebrate Easter - the date of the religious observance falls on the Sunday following the first full moon that makes its appearance on or after the March equinox.