United Way Of Santa Barbara County, Inc.

What United Way Of Santa Barbara County, Inc. does

United Way of Santa Barbara County, Inc. is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1923 and headquartered at 320 East Gutierrez Street in Santa Barbara, California. The organization operates as a hybrid service-delivery and grantmaking platform organized around three focus areas: Academic Achievement, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency. Programmatic offerings include Fun in the Sun (a National Summer Learning Association-recognized summer learning program launched in 1997), United Learning Center (free after-school literacy tutoring using certified Orton-Gillingham instructors), Bridge the Break (spring and winter break programming), the Dolly Parton Imagination Library affiliate (5,000+ children ages 0-5), VITA free tax preparation (1,700+ households served and $2.4M+ in refunds returned annually), Resiliency Grants (distributed through 350+ case management agencies), and the Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative, which recently completed a $2M ARPA-funded contract producing 272 new licensed childcare spaces across 8 facilities.

The organization's revenue model is donations- and grants-based: individual donations (monthly giving, major gifts, planned giving through the Heritage Club), corporate workplace giving and event sponsorships (e.g., the 28th Annual Red Feather Ball sponsored by U.S. Bank), foundation and government grants (Santa Barbara Foundation, First 5, Towbes, Zegar Family, James S. Bower, Mosher foundations; County ARPA funds), and affinity group memberships (Women United at $1,500+/year, Executive Club, Alexis de Tocqueville Society, Young Leaders Society). All programs and services are provided free of charge to qualifying community members; no fees are charged for VITA, childcare scholarships, resiliency grants, or academic programs.

Distribution is regional across Santa Barbara County via direct delivery (40+ school campuses, four VITA sites at UCSB, Goleta Community Center, Santa Barbara Public Library Eastside, and the downtown office) and partner channels (six partner school districts including Santa Barbara USD, Carpinteria USD, Goleta USD, Guadalupe USD, Solvang SD, plus the County Office of Emergency Management). The organization has managed $55M+ in crisis funding since 2017 across Thomas Fire, debris flow, and COVID-19 response, and serves 9,100+ households countywide under its resilience umbrella. Steve Ortiz serves as President & CEO and Susan Hersberger was named Board Chair in August 2025.

Name

United Way Of Santa Barbara County, Inc.

Legal name

United Way of Santa Barbara County

Website

https://unitedwaysb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

United Way of Santa Barbara County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1923 that delivers free academic, financial stability, and community resiliency programs, including summer learning, literacy tutoring, free tax preparation, resilience grants, and child care initiatives, to residents of Santa Barbara County through schools, government agencies, and a 350+ partner case-management network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Youth education programs
• Financial assistance services
• Disaster response programs
• Childcare support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Barbara

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through one-time gifts, monthly giving, and major gifts programs. The organization maintains Alexis de Tocqueville Society for high-level donors and various affinity groups.
2. Corporate Partnerships & Workplace Giving: Businesses participate through workplace giving campaigns, corporate sponsorships of events, and direct grants. Sponsors support annual events like the Red Feather Ball and Women United Luncheon.
3. Foundation & Government Grants: United Way receives grants from foundations (Zegar Family Foundation, Towbes Foundation, James S. Bower Foundation) and government contracts for specific programs like the ARPA childcare initiative.
4. Special Events Fundraising: Annual events including the Red Feather Ball (28th annual in 2025), Women United Luncheon, and Alexis de Tocqueville Reception generate proceeds that support community programs.
5. Planned Giving & Endowments: Legacy giving programs allow donors to include United Way in estate plans. Heritage Club recognizes planned giving donors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

United Way of Santa Barbara County delivers free, direct-service community programs across three focus areas: Academic Achievement (summer learning, after-school literacy tutoring, and early-childhood book distribution), Financial Security (free tax preparation, resiliency grants, and childcare scholarships/facility grants), and Community Resiliency (disaster preparedness and emergency response coordination). The organization also convenes cross-sector coalitions and raises funds through individual donors, workplace giving, foundation grants, and annual events. All programs and services are provided free of charge to qualifying Santa Barbara County residents.

Product overview

United Way of Santa Barbara County is a community services nonprofit organization operating a portfolio of programs across three core focus areas: Academic Achievement, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency. The organization delivers these programs directly rather than through a technology platform. Programs include educational initiatives (Fun in the Sun summer learning, United Learning Center tutoring, Bridge the Break, Dolly Parton Imagination Library), financial assistance (VITA tax preparation, Resiliency Grants, Brighter Futures Childcare), and disaster response services. The organization also manages affinity groups (Women United, Executive Club) and annual fundraising events (Red Feather Ball).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fun in the Sun: National award-winning summer learning and enrichment program for students from TK-6th grade, providing academics, field trips, and enrichment activities
• United Learning Center
• Bridge the Break
• Resiliency Grants Program
• Women United
• Executive Club
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
• Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative

Products and services

• Fun in the Sun National award-winning summer learning and enrichment program providing academics, field trips, enrichment activities, and social-emotional learning for TK-6th grade students across Santa Barbara County. Expanded to 40+ campuses and served a record 500+ students countywide in 2022.
• United Learning Center Free, after-school literacy tutoring program for K-5th grade students delivered in partnership with local school districts. Features one-on-one and small group sessions with certified Orton-Gillingham instructors; serves 450+ students annually.
• Bridge the Break Spring and winter break programming offering daily literacy practice, STEAM activities, social-emotional learning, outdoor recreation, and community exploration for TK-5th grade students.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program Free tax preparation service for Santa Barbara County residents earning $67,000 or less annually. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and electronically file tax returns, including ITIN applications. Operated at multiple community sites with 150+ volunteer tax preparers.
• Resiliency Grants Program Program uniting a network of 350+ local case management agencies to provide one-time financial assistance for needs not covered by other programs, including housing deposits, medical bills, and vehicle repairs. Reaches 200+ onboarded case managers.
• Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative Cross-county, multi-sector effort to strengthen Santa Barbara County's childcare environment. Includes the Brighter Futures Childcare Coalition, childcare provider training (60+ providers), family scholarships ($100K+ awarded), and facility grants ($430K+ invested in 8 facilities).
• Community Resiliency Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $2.4M in tax refunds returned to 1,700+ households annually through VITA program
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

41 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• First 5 Santa Barbara CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership with First 5 Santa Barbara County to implement $2M ARPA-funded childcare initiative. United Way served as lead implementer alongside First 5 to strengthen county childcare sector through facility grants, provider training, and family scholarships.
• Santa Barbara FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-awarded $2M in ARPA funding with United Way to support struggling childcare sector. Long-standing partnership in community impact initiatives.
• County of Santa BarbaracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic-private partnership for childcare initiatives and disaster response. County Board of Supervisors allocated ARPA funding through United Way. Standing partnership for crisis response including Thomas Fire, debris flow, and COVID-19.
• Cottage HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative. Fun in the Sun sponsor providing support for summer learning program.
• City National BankmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold Feather Sponsor for Red Feather Ball. 10-year partner in Fun in the Sun and Back-to-School Drive. Board member representation in organization leadership.
• U.S. BankmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTitle sponsor for 28th Annual Red Feather Ball, supporting community programs across all focus areas.
• Montecito Bank & TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze Feather Sponsor and Fun in the Sun partner. Financial literacy education partner teaching students about banking and savings.
• PatagoniamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined childcare coalition to discuss childcare's economic impact as workforce issue. Active in employer engagement efforts.
• Santa Barbara Unified School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary partner district for Academic Achievement programs including Fun in the Sun, United Learning Center, and Bridge the Break. District serves as program host site.
• Carpinteria Unified School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner district for Fun in the Sun, United Learning Center, and Bridge the Break. Superintendent serves as quoted advocate for programs.
• Goleta Union School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner district for Fun in the Sun summer learning program.
• Guadalupe Union School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFun in the Sun expanded to Guadalupe in 2022, serving record 500+ students countywide. District partners for summer learning.
• Solvang School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner district for Fun in the Sun summer learning program in Santa Ynez Valley.
• UC Santa BarbaracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVITA program site location. Coalition partner in Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative. Early Childhood Care & Education Services received facility grants.
• Santa Barbara Public LibrarymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVITA program site at Eastside Branch for free tax preparation services to qualifying residents.
• Goleta Valley Community CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVITA program site location for free tax preparation services in Goleta.
• LEAPmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildcare provider partner and coalition member in Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative.
• Driscoll'smajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative addressing childcare as workforce issue.
• Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of CommercemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in childcare initiative, engaging employers on childcare as workforce priority.
• MarBorg IndustriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHR Association partner engaged in childcare coalition discussions.
• City of GoletamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRequested childcare needs assessments from United Way; partner in ARPA initiatives.
• City of Santa BarbaramajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRequested childcare needs assessments from United Way; partner in ARPA initiatives.
• City of LompocminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in childcare initiative.
• City of Santa MariaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in childcare initiative.
• City of BuelltonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in childcare initiative.
• City of SolvangminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in childcare initiative.
• CenCal HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze Feather Sponsor and coalition partner.
• Dolly Parton Imagination LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way serves as regional affiliate for Dolly Parton Imagination Library, distributing free books to 5,000+ children ages 0-5.
• Santa Barbara County Education OfficemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in childcare initiative.
• First 5 Santa Barbara CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner with United Way on $2M ARPA childcare initiative; coalition member.
• Women's Economic VenturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in childcare initiative.
• Future Leaders of AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in childcare initiative.
• Santa Barbara Scholarship FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in childcare initiative.
• Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStanding partnership for disaster preparedness and response. Director Kelly Hubbard quoted as key government partner.
• Salvation ArmyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in childcare initiative.
• CSUCIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in childcare initiative.
• Allan Hancock CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in childcare initiative.
• Guadalupe Unified School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Fun in the Sun and Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative (LEAP Lompov Children's Center).
• California Senate District 21minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in childcare initiative.
• Office of Supervisor Laura CappsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty partner advocating for childcare and VITA programs. Chair of Board of Supervisors.
• Office of Gregg HartminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in childcare initiative.

Scale indicators32 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Santa Barbara Foundation: Local Santa Barbara County community foundation and explicit coalition partner on the Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative. Operates in the same geography with overlapping donor base and focus areas, including grantmaking, scholarship administration, and disaster response.
• United Way of New York City: One of the largest U.S. United Way chapters, operating a hybrid model of grantmaking, direct service (e.g., housing and workforce programs), and disaster response. Comparable in structure, though serving a much larger urban market.
• First 5 Santa Barbara County: Lead public partner with UWSBC on the $2M ARPA Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative. Focused on early childhood programs for ages 0-5, overlapping with UWSBC's Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Bridge the Break, and childcare grant work in the same county.
• United Way Bay Area: Northern California United Way chapter with a similar hybrid service/grantmaking model, regional geographic focus, and emphasis on education, financial stability, and emergency response. Directly comparable in mission, program mix, and donor model.
• Channel Islands YMCA: Regional YMCA serving Santa Barbara and Ventura counties with comparable youth programming (after-school care, summer learning, childcare) and similar volunteer-driven delivery model. Directly competes for school district partnerships, childcare families, and corporate sponsors.
• United Way of Greater Los Angeles: Another large California-based United Way chapter operating hybrid direct-service and grantmaking models in a single region. Comparable in structure (academic, financial stability, disaster-response programs) and similar reliance on workplace giving and corporate sponsorships, though operating in a far larger geography.
• United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey: Mid-large regional United Way chapter with a similar mix of education, financial security, and community resiliency programming, plus a comparable workplace-giving and corporate-sponsorship revenue model.

Regional players

• Cottage Health: Santa Barbara-based nonprofit health system and coalition partner in Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative and Fun in the Sun sponsorship. Comparable as a community-anchored nonprofit, though with a clinical service focus rather than social services.
• Direct Relief: Santa Barbara-headquartered humanitarian aid organization that, like UWSBC, plays a major role in disaster response and emergency resource mobilization. Comparable in disaster-response infrastructure and local brand recognition, though operating nationally and internationally.

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: The umbrella organization supporting the global network of United Way chapters including UWSBC. Not a direct competitor, but sets brand standards, licensing requirements, and national fundraising infrastructure that materially shapes UWSBC's operating model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UnitedWaySB

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about United Way Of Santa Barbara County, Inc.