The Fund for Santa Barbara

What The Fund for Santa Barbara does

The Fund for Santa Barbara (The FUND) is an independent 501(c)(3) community foundation established in 1980 in Santa Barbara, California, that operates a non-traditional, activist-led grantmaking model supporting progressive social change across Santa Barbara County and, increasingly, the broader Central Coast region. Its portfolio includes Movement Building Grants (up to $10,000 annually), Multi-Year Movement Building Grants (up to $40,000 over 24 months for partners with 3+ prior cycles), Emerging Needs Grants (up to $5,000 for rapid response), Racial Equity Grants (up to $100,000, county-funded), the Tri-County Immigrant Relief Fund (up to $25,000), Youth Making Change (two teen-led boards distributing $15,000 each annually), and named funds including the Mickey Flacks Social Housing Fund, Judith Lesner Accessibility Fund, and Gloria Liggett Community Justice Fund. The organization is the only foundation in the Central Coast region that funds non-501(c)(3) groups, and is governed by a community-led Grant Making Committee of grassroots activists and community leaders rather than wealth-holders.

The FUND's technology stack is minimal and entirely third-party — Submittable for grant application management, Zoom for educational workshops, and a WordPress website with bilingual English/Spanish content — with no proprietary platform or AI/ML components. Operationally, the organization runs with 8+ full-time staff across two offices (Santa Barbara headquarters since 1980; Santa Maria since 2003 for North County), supported by a Board of Directors, ~15-member Grant Making Committee, and teen boards for YMC, and supplemented by Capacity Building services (consulting, facilitation, educational workshops) offered in English, Spanish, and ASL.

Revenue is diversified across individual donations (1,000+ donors annually), foundation grants (Hutton Parker, McCune, James Irvine, Weingart, Blue Shield, Mott, California Endowment, Santa Barbara Foundation), corporate sponsorships, labor union contributions (UFCW 770, SEIU 620/721, LiUNA 220, United Domestic Workers), collegiate partnerships, planned giving, and government grants including the $700,000 CDSS Stop the Hate award in 2023 and the county-funded Racial Equity Grant program. As a CDSS-designated regional intermediary, The FUND channeled $3,645,000 to 15 Central Coast organizations through Stop the Hate in 2023, demonstrating both expanded programmatic scale and quasi-regulatory positioning in the regional anti-hate funding ecosystem.

Name

The Fund for Santa Barbara

Legal name

The Fund for Santa Barbara

Website

https://fundforsantabarbara.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Fund for Santa Barbara is an independent 501(c)(3) community foundation founded in 1980 that operates an activist-led grantmaking model, awarding grants of up to $100,000 to grassroots organizations working on progressive social change across Santa Barbara County and the Central Coast.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation Grantmaking

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN), Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)

Keywords

• Community foundation grantmaking
• Progressive philanthropy
• Grassroots movement funding
• Nonprofit capacity building
• Social justice grantmaking

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Barbara

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The Fund receives contributions from individual donors, with support from more than 1,000 donors each year. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made via check, stock transfer, monthly recurring donation, or one-time online donation.
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants/Sponsorships: The FUND receives financial support from foundation partners (e.g., Hutton Parker Foundation, Santa Barbara Foundation, McCune Foundation, Blue Shield Foundation, James Irvine Foundation, Weingart Foundation, Mott Foundation, and others) and corporate partners. Corporate partners include KCRW, SAGE Publications, Boston Trust Walden, Cottage Health, Pacific Premier Bank, and others. These include both annual grants and event sponsorships.
3. Labor Union Support: The FUND receives financial support from labor union supporters including UFCW 770, United Domestic Workers, SEIU Local 620, SEIU Local 721, and LiUNA Local 220.
4. Collegiate Partnerships: Support from collegiate partners including Pacifica Graduate Institute, UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College, Allan Hancock College, Cal Lutheran University, Fielding Graduate University, and CSU Channel Island.
5. Government Grants: In September 2023, The Fund for Santa Barbara was awarded $700,000 in funding through the California Department of Social Services Stop the Hate Program. The FUND also partners with the County of Santa Barbara for the Racial Equity Grant program (up to $100,000 per grant).
6. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: The FUND accepts legacy gifts including bequests, charitable trusts, life insurance policy donations, property or real estate donations, and stock transfers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Fund for Santa Barbara is a non-traditional community foundation that provides grants (up to $100,000) to grassroots organizations working for progressive social change in Santa Barbara County. It operates grant programs including Movement Building Grants, Youth Making Change, Racial Equity Grants, and named funds, plus capacity building services such as free consulting, facilitation, and educational workshops. Its signature feature is an activist-led Grant Making Committee (GMC) that determines funding allocation, making it the only Central Coast foundation funding non-501(c)(3) groups.

Product overview

The Fund for Santa Barbara is a non-traditional community foundation (established 1980) focused on social justice grant-making across Santa Barbara County. The organization operates a portfolio of grant programs including Movement Building Grants (up to $10,000 annually), Multi-Year Movement Building Grants (up to $40,000 over 24 months), Emerging Needs Grants (up to $5,000 for rapid response), Youth Making Change (teen-led grantmaking with $15,000 per board), Racial Equity Grants (up to $100,000 in partnership with County), Tri-County Immigrant Relief Fund (up to $25,000), and named funds including the Mickey Flacks Social Housing Fund, Judith Lesner Accessibility Fund, and Gloria Liggett Community Justice Fund. Beyond direct grantmaking, the organization provides Capacity Building services with consulting, facilitation, and educational workshops. Major annual events include the Grant Awards Celebration, Youth Organizing Summit, and Bread & Roses Community Celebration. The organization partners with Submittable for grant application management and maintains a community calendar for regional progressive events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Movement Building Grant Annual grant supporting groups and organizations leading efforts to advance systemic change through movement building. Maximum request of $10,000 with a 12-month funding term. Offered annually in the spring.
• Multi-Year Movement Building Grant Extended funding opportunity for pre-existing partners with significant funding history (3+ cycles). Maximum request of $40,000 over 24 months, distributed in two equal annual payments.
• Emerging Needs Grants Immediate financial assistance for organizing efforts responding to extraordinary circumstances and unforeseen events. Maximum request of $5,000 with a 3-month rapid response funding term. Offered year-round until funds are exhausted.
• Youth Making Change (YMC) Teen-led grantmaking program providing young people (ages 13-19) the opportunity to engage in organized philanthropy. Two YMC Boards (Santa Maria and Santa Barbara) each distribute $15,000 annually to youth-led projects addressing youth community needs. Since 2008, has awarded over $350,000 to 165+ youth-led groups.
• Racial Equity Grant of the County of Santa Barbara Annual grant in collaboration with County of Santa Barbara supporting anti-racism systems change initiatives. Maximum request of $100,000. Funded and supported by the County of Santa Barbara.
• Tri-County Immigrant Relief Fund Investing in organizations across Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties providing low-cost or no-cost immigration legal representation and emergency support services. Maximum request of $25,000 for 12-month funding. Applications by invitation only.
• Mickey Flacks Social Housing Fund Named fund honoring community activist Mickey Flacks, supporting organizations advocating for and leading social housing justice campaigns in Santa Barbara County. Maximum request of $5,000 for social housing initiatives including cooperative housing development, grassroots organizing for housing policy, and tenant organization support.
• Judith Lesner Accessibility Fund (JLAF) Donor-advised fund commemorating disability activist Judith Lesner, investing in disability justice, inclusion, and accessibility across the Central Coast region. Maximum request of $1,500 for organizations engaging in event accessibility initiatives to increase inclusivity for disabled individuals. Stipends must be expended within 6 months. Maximum 2 stipends/year per organization.
• Gloria Liggett Community Justice Fund Named fund honoring community activist Gloria Liggett, supporting local social justice community organizations. Maximum request of $10,000 for efforts including arts and cultural work, indigenous rights, racial justice, youth organizing, and educational justice, and grassroots community building.
• Capacity Building Program Non-monetary support services including skill-building opportunities, convenings, informational resources, and free tailored consulting and facilitation services. Specializes in supporting progressive individuals and community groups with technical skills or track record gaps. Services available in Spanish and ASL.
• Educational Workshops Core educational programming covering topics including nonprofit lobbying and advocacy, know your rights, grassroots organizing, grant seeking, grassroots fundraising, and social change strategies. Content curated based on community needs and current climate.
• Youth Organizing Summit Annual all-day gathering bringing together youth from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties for workshops, panels, speakers, and conversations focused on organizing and civic engagement. Partnership with The McCune Foundation. Free to attend with meals, interpretation, and transportation support available.
• Bread & Roses Community Celebration Annual community celebration since 1993, one of the largest progressive gatherings on the Central Coast. Features food, drinks, and community connection at Santa Barbara City College Great Meadow. Symbolically connected to Lawrence, Massachusetts textile workers strike of 1912.
• Grant Awards Celebration Annual celebration event honoring recipients of Racial Equity Grants and Movement Building Grants. Community gathering for grantees, supporters, and advocates from across Santa Barbara County for celebration, connection, and community building.
• Stop The Hate Program Regional anti-hate and anti-racist work collaboration funded by California Department of Social Services ($700,000 awarded). The FUND serves as regional intermediary, resulting in $3,645,000 total awarded to Central Coast organizations. Works with 15 program partners including Barbareño Chumash Tribal Council, NAACP, Diversity Coalition SLO, and others to strengthen intersectionality of anti-hate work and build healing spaces.
• Central Coast Regional Equity Initiative Research initiative in partnership with UCSB Blum Center on Poverty, Inequality, and Democracy, and USC Equity Research Institute. Produced the first Central Coast Regional Equity Study titled 'Towards a Just and Equitable Central Coast' covering Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties to understand and address regional disparities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Since 2008, YMC has awarded more than $350,000 to over 165 youth-led groups throughout Santa Barbara County.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UCSB Blum Center on Poverty, Inequality, and DemocracycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020The Fund for Santa Barbara, in partnership with the UCSB Blum Center on Poverty, Inequality, and Democracy and the USC Equity Research Institute, launched the Central Coast Regional Equity Study titled 'Towards a Just and Equitable Central Coast' over 2020-2021. The study uses community-led research to identify socioeconomic inequities and establish guideposts for regional equity across Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
• USC Equity Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Joint partner with UCSB Blum Center in the Central Coast Regional Equity Study. Contributed research expertise and evaluation methodology to produce the equity indicators report covering Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
• Central Coast Immigration Network (COIN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe FUND leads and actively participates in COIN, a collaborative effort addressing immigration-related issues across the Central Coast region.
• Central Coast Climate Justice NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe FUND participates in this network working on climate justice issues across the Central Coast, aligning with their environmental justice funding priorities.
• North County CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe FUND leads and actively participates in the North County Coalition, serving North and Mid County communities in Santa Barbara County.
• Regional Capacity Building CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe FUND participates in the Regional Capacity Building Collaborative, supporting skill-building and organizational development for progressive organizations across the region.
• Santa Barbara Foundation RoundtableminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe FUND participates in funder convenings with the Santa Barbara Foundation and other regional funders.
• Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties Funders ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA collaborative forum of funders working across Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, co-convened by The FUND.
• Foothills ForeverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe FUND participates in Foothills Forever, a land conservation collaborative.
• Latinx & Indigenous Migrant COVID-19 Response Task ForceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA pandemic response collaboration focused on supporting Latinx and Indigenous migrant communities across the Central Coast.
• Santa Barbara IndependentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2017, The FUND partnered with the Santa Barbara Independent to launch SB Gives, which over 3 years raised $1,015,817 to support local nonprofits.
• Liberty Hill Foundation of Los AngelesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrom 1980-1985, The FUND was fiscally sponsored by the Liberty Hill Foundation of Los Angeles before becoming an independent 501(c)3 in 1985.
• The Funding ExchangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 1996, The FUND has been an affiliate of The Funding Exchange, a national network of 15 progressive foundations across the country, providing peer learning, shared resources, and national visibility.
• Santa Barbara International Film FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2000, The FUND has partnered with the Santa Barbara International Film Festival to present an annual Social Justice Award for Documentary Film, recognizing films that advance social change narratives.
• UC Santa BarbaracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUC Santa Barbara is a collegiate partner and co-research partner (via the Blum Center) with The FUND for the Central Coast Regional Equity Study. The university community is a key stakeholder in The FUND's programming.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Liberty Hill Foundation: Los Angeles-based progressive community foundation using similar activist-led, trust-based grantmaking for social justice organizing. Was The FUND's fiscal sponsor from 1980–1985, making it both a historical parent and the most directly comparable peer in California.
• The Funding Exchange: National network of 15 progressive foundations of which The FUND has been an affiliate since 1996. Directly comparable operating model — activist-led, grassroots grantmaking — with peer learning, shared resources, and a coordinated national progressive identity.
• Santa Barbara Foundation: Regional community foundation operating in the same Santa Barbara County geography. Participates with The FUND in funder convenings and co-funds community initiatives, but uses a traditional (not activist-led) grantmaking model — useful as a structural counterpoint.
• Common Counsel Foundation: Oakland-based foundation supporting grassroots organizing, movement building, and community-led grantmaking across California. Shares the participatory, trust-based, social-justice orientation of The FUND and operates intermediary grant programs at greater scale.
• Ms. Foundation for Women: National progressive foundation using participatory grantmaking to fund women-led and gender justice movements. Closely aligned mission and activist-led grantmaking approach, with substantially larger national footprint.
• Hill-Snowdon Foundation: Family foundation focused on social and economic justice movement building through multi-year general operating support — a funding posture The FUND's Multi-Year Movement Building Grant (up to $40K) directly mirrors.
• Third Wave Foundation: Progressive foundation supporting young women of color, transgender, and gender non-conforming leaders under 35. Strong structural parallel to The FUND's Youth Making Change program and shared youth-led grantmaking DNA.
• Headwaters Foundation: Montana-based progressive community foundation using activist-led, community-led grantmaking for social change — a directly comparable regional operating model with similar scope and headcount profile.

Others

• Neighborhood Funders Group: National membership network of foundations supporting community organizing and movement building. Comparable ecosystem participant rather than direct grantmaking peer; useful as a peer-organization network comparator.

Broad incumbents

• California Community Foundation: Large Los Angeles-based community foundation with substantially greater assets and broader programmatic scope. Provides a useful scale benchmark and an example of a community foundation operating at city/regional level with similar progressive funding priorities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCx-AzdX3_7Kacm75AmU1EbQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/thefundforsantabarbara
• Instagraminstagram.com/thefundforsantabarbara
• Xx.com/fundforsb

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Fund for Santa Barbara