With a membership of over 1400, The Women's Fund of Santa Barbara demonstrates the power of the people to do good, in this case, women. When 500 of the group, including their friends and supporters, gathered at the Lobero on May 20th, they celebrated giving grants to eleven local organizations totaling $1.25 million - a record, and a testament to collective giving.
"The Women's Fund of Santa Barbara is based on a very simple but durable idea - through collective giving, we can have an impact much greater than any of us could have alone," shared organization Board Chair Carolyn Jabs in an email to Voice. " I'm very proud of our more than 1400 members whose generosity made it possible for us to give grants totaling $1.25 M. I'm also proud of our 265 volunteers who contributed time, expertise, and passion as well as money.
"Since its inception, the Women's Fund has awarded a staggering total of $12,845,000 in grants to 163 programs at 3 nonprofits, positively impacting over 100000, children, and families. This year's significant grants pool underscores the ongoing commitment of local women to enrich the lives of those in need and strengthen the fabric of South Santa Barbara County.
"In ties of rapid change, it's easy to become discouraged. For me, Women's Fund of Santa Barbara is a tangible reminder of what can be accomplished when people of goodwill pool their money, time, and talents. We have become one of the biggest giving circles in the country because we have an inclusive, welcoming approach to philanthropy," Jab added.
With the aid of the grants, this year's non profits will tackle significant issues, including: Support for homeless individuals; Mental health care initiatives; Nutritional assistance for seniors; Educational opportunities for low-income children; Vision care services; Reliable transportation for youth; and Hygiene facilities for those in need.
"The Celebration of Grants is always an emotional event for me. This year, we announced sizable grants of $75,000 to $200,000 to eleven non-profits, and we heard directly from leaders of those agencies about how the money will change the lives of vulnerable people in our community. Every year, I am moved - and humbled - by the work these agencies do. They share stories of hope and resilience that are a powerful reminder that the grants we are able to give truly make a difference in the lives of vulnerable neighbors," Jabs concluded.
2025 Grantees:
Carpinteria Children’s Project - $100,000 to provide scholarships for 20-40 low-income students in CCP’s Dual Language Immersion Program, enhancing kindergarten readiness and supporting families with access to additional resources and services.
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Santa Barbara County - $75,000 for upgrading CASA's data management system and hiring a full-time data management specialist to improve advocacy for children in foster care.
Channel Islands YMCA - $100,000 to establish the county’s first fully licensed transitional housing program for youth exiting foster care, providing intensive case management and support for nine young adults.
Children’s Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County - $200,000 over two years to expand their child-care licensing program, guiding 60 women through the licensing process to create up to 480 new licensed child-care spaces in underserved communities.
Domestic Violence Solutions - $100,000 to upgrade security measures at their emergency shelter and long-term housing facility, enhancing safety for 162 clients annually through new fencing, security systems, and training for staff.
Good Samaritan Shelter - $150,000 to purchase a fully equipped food truck, the Good Samwich, providing culinary training program graduates with paid employment while serving 14,000 meals annually to the community.
Mothers’ Helpers - $80,000 over two years to hire a part-time bilingual support center coordinator, enhancing operations to serve over 600 low-income families annually while improving volunteer management and reducing response times for parent requests.
New Beginnings Counseling Center - $150,000 over two years to increase mental health care staffing by hiring a full-time front desk staff member and expanding intake coordinator hours, improving client intake, and reducing wait times for approximately 860 clients annually.
PATH Santa Barbara - People Assisting the Homeless - $110,000 to purchase and install privacy partitions in the women's dormitory, improving the living conditions for an average of 114 women annually and enhancing their well-being within the shelter.
SEE International - $110,000 to expand the SEE Vision Care Program by hiring additional staff and increasing service days at their Goleta clinic, enabling the organization to serve an additional 1,126 patients and reduce appointment wait times.
Showers of Blessing - $75,000 to purchase a new gas-powered truck base, ensuring reliable transportation for their mobile shower services and enabling continued access to hygiene facilities for 800 clients, providing a total of 7,000 showers each year.
Membership in the Women’s Fund is open to all women passionate about making a collective impact.
To join or learn more, visit www.womensfundsb.org