Community grants are grants the Foundation makes in response to needs and requests from the nonprofits in our community. They are supported by the Foundation’s endowment and donors, and are awarded through a rigorous process of research, planning, due diligence and evaluation. Foundation staff consult with community volunteers whose expertise ensures a balanced approach to the review process.
In addition to community grant programs, the Foundation is a catalyst for community change and offers grant opportunities under our focus areas and initiatives. Please visit our Landscape, Ecosystems, Agriculture and Food Systems (LEAF) Initiative and Community Caregiving Initiative pages to learn about these community initiatives.
Please review the community grant descriptions below to see which is the best opportunity for you. The majority of our applications are online with the exception of our Give Together Grant Programs which can be completed through a fillable PDF.
Please note: Before starting your fillable PDF application, please download and save the application to your desktop using Adobe Reader. Edits made to the form in the browser will not be saved. Review Application & Submittal Procedures for further instructions.
Grant guidelines and applications will be posted as they become available. For more information, please reference our Eligibility Criteria & FAQs, contact the staff member listed on the initiative pages or on the grant opportunities below, or attend our #AskSBF Office Hours.
Small Capacity Building Program grants (formerly Express Grants) are awards of up to $5,000 aimed at strengthening the organizational capacity and programmatic effectiveness of nonprofit organizations serving Santa Barbara County.
Health Care Grants are available to support nonprofit organizations directly providing services in the areas of health care. Grant amounts: up to $50,000.
Behavioral Health Grants are available to support nonprofit organizations directly providing services in the areas of behavioral health. Grant amounts: up to $50,000.
Food Grants are available to support nonprofit organizations directly providing services in the areas of food. Grant amounts: up to $50,000.
Shelter & Safety Grants are available to support nonprofit organizations directly providing services in the areas of shelter and safety. Grant amounts: up to $50,000.
William and Lottie Daniel Fund Child Care Scholarships are available to nonprofit organizations that provide quality child care for working families.
Child Care Grants are available to support nonprofit child care providers and family support services in Santa Barbara County to meet the critical needs of young children and set the stage for lifelong learning success.
Blood Research and Education Grants, offered through the Tri-Counties Blood Bank Fund, are available to support blood and blood-related products and services.
The Senior Programs of Santa Barbara Committee Advised Fund Program Grants are available to support programs and projects directed to the welfare of senior citizens in the cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria. Grants cannot be used for overhead, salaries, capital or building funds. Grant range: $2,000 to $15,000. Collaborative applications are acceptable.
The Senior Programs Fund also makes available each year a sum of $5,000 for its Express Grants, with the purpose of funding a limited number of one-per-year grants to a grantee of up to $1,000 each. Express Grants are available for a variety of activities in the following areas: small projects, short-term opportunities and sponsorships.
The Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts is available for organizations that provide high quality performing arts programs. Grant requests for this round should not exceed $15,000.
Contact our team to help you with your specific needs.
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