SMALL GRANTS PILOT PROGRAM
In response to Women’s Fund members and community feedback, the new Small Grants Pilot Program recognizes that supporting small, effective nonprofit agencies can broaden the impact of our grantmaking.
Agencies that share our mission to support women, children, and families in south Santa Barbara County may apply for these unrestricted grants if they meet qualifications.
$500,000
A qualified agency's maximum annual revenue
$10,000 or $25,000
Agencies may apply for either size grant
June 1-30, 2026
Applications accepted for Small Grants
November 2026
Small Grants awardees announced
APPLICATION WILL BE AVAILABLE JUNE 1ST
Important Facts for Applicants:
- Agencies with an annual revenue of up to $500,000 are eligible.
- These will be unrestricted grants that help the agency fulfill its mission.
- The agency must support one or more of these priorities: Housing, Family Support, Mental Health, Early Childhood Support, Health Care, Youth Support, Education, Personal Safety, Food Security and Nutrition.
- Agency must have IRS approval or a qualified fiscal agent.
- Eligible small nonprofit agencies can submit applications from June 1 through June 30, 2026. The simple application will require 30-40 minutes to complete.
- Grantees of the Small Grants Pilot Program will be announced in early November. Funds will be issued that month.
- Application will be available June 1, 2026.
Important Facts for Women's Fund Members:
- A Women's Fund committee will review applications and prepare a ballot of qualified agencies.
- This separate ballot for Small Grants will be issued in the fall of 2026.
- Every Women's Fund member who contributed in 2025 will vote individually.
- There will be no group voting for small grants.
- Grantees will be announced in November; however, we won’t have an event.