On May 20, more than 500 community supporters gathered for the annual Celebration of Grants event at the iconic Lobero Theater to celebrate and learn about the vital projects funded this year.

Attendees sat spellbound as 11 nonprofit leaders revealed their award-winning work. Each one received a much-anticipated grant award from the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara.

Inspiring stories of how these gifts will transform the incredible work of each organization gave deep meaning to the importance of this rare group of philanthropic women who are changing lives every day.

The 21-year high of $1.25 million, made possible by the collective giving of their 1,426 members, shows the strength of this all-volunteer, women-run giving model.

“The Women’s Fund is based on a deceptively simple premise,” said Carolyn Jabs, board chair. “Together, when we pool our resources, we can achieve far more than we ever could alone.”

The grant awardees do not apply for the funds in the usual way of simply writing a grant. Nonprofits must be invited to apply for funding.

The 14-member research committee chooses agencies to invite to submit an application for programs that are addressing critical needs and that they think are making a significant contribution to our community.

Then, the research committee conducts in-depth research on each organization, presenting their recommendations to the membership group for a vote. The result of that voting process culminates in a list of grantees.

“Over the past 21 years, the Women’s Fund has contributed nearly $13 million to 163 programs at 73 nonprofits serving vulnerable women, children and families in south Santa Barbara County,” Jabs said.

“If you visit our website, you’ll see inspiring stories about how Women’s Fund grants have had a transformational impact on agencies that serve people with disabilities, survivors of trauma and abuse, people with physical or mental health problems, families that struggle with poverty, people who are unsheltered, seniors who are isolated and many more,” Jabs said.

All dollars remain in south Santa Barbara County. Generous sponsors and community supporters, an all-volunteer leadership team, and enthusiastic volunteers help offset expenses to maximize grants.

This year 11 nonprofits shared in the $1.25 million fund.

Attendees at this popular event cheered wildly as each recipient walked to the podium to receive their award. The 2024-25 grant recipients are:

• Carpinteria Children’s Project: $100,000 for Dual Language Immersion Scholarships
• CASA: $75,00 for Data Management System Upgrade and Specialist
• YMCA: $100,000 for Transitional Housing for Youth Exiting Foster Care
• Children’s Resource & Referral: $200,000 for Expansion of Child-Care Licensing
• Domestic Violence Solutions: $100,000 for Security Improvements at Facilities
• Good Samaritan Shelter: $150,000 for Good Samwich Food Truck
• Mothers’ Helpers: $80,000 for Support Center Coordinator
• New Beginnings Counseling Center: $150,000 for Increased Mental Health Care Staff
• PATH: $110,000 for Privacy Partitions for Homeless Women’s Dorm
• SEE International: $110,000 for Expansion of SEE Vision Care Program
• Showers of Blessing: $75,000 for Purchase of New Truck
• “We carry this responsibility with deep gratitude and fierce commitment,” said Teresa Alvarez, executive director of the Carpinteria Children’s Project. “Every dollar of this grant will support real children, real parents and real futures right here in our community.”

“You are part of a story that rewrites trauma into triumph and fear into freedom,” said Tina Ballue, director of development for Domestic Violence Solutions. “Together we are fortifying lives.”

Twelve local women founded the Women’s Fund.

In 2003, Carol Palladini was experiencing fundraiser burnout. She wanted to explore a new approach to philanthropy.

She called her friends together.

They decided that, instead of organizing costly fundraising events, they would simply pool the money they wanted to give and award grants to nonprofits doing important work on behalf of women, children and families.

By 2004, the 12 philanthropically minded women had designed a collective giving plan to benefit Santa Barbara families.

Carol Palladini, Fritzie Yamin, Joanne Rapp, Perri Harcourt, Jean Kaplan, Shirley Ann Hurley, Dale Kern, Elna Scheinfeld, Meredith Scott, Kay Stern, Anne Smith Towbes, and Marsha Wayne formed what today is referred to as a Giving Circle.

Thanks to the loyalty of their members, the Women’s Fund has blossomed into one of the largest giving circles in the United States.

It’s easy to join the Women’s Fund.

The Women’s Fund welcomes all women to join. Men are welcome to donate but cannot become voting members. To become a member, a woman contributes to the Women’s Fund as either an individual or part of a group. This enables her to help select the recipients of a grants pool, which is comprised of all members’ donations.

There is no minimum contribution required; however, a minimum contribution of $275 is suggested. Membership contributions determine how members vote to distribute the funds collected each year. One vote is awarded for every $2,750 contributed.

There are two ways to contribute and vote:

Become a Group Member by joining with other women who, together, contribute $2,750 (or more) in a calendar year. Each group receives one vote for every $2,750 contribution the group has made. There is no limit to the size of a group or how much a woman may contribute.
Become an Individual Member by contributing $2,750 (or more) in a calendar year. Receive one vote on how collected funds are distributed the next spring for every $2,750 contribution a woman makes, up to a limit of four votes.