Grant Opportunities


 

Grant Opportunities | Additional Information

The Foundation makes grants 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.


Additional Information

Please review the 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. You may also reference our Eligibility Criteria & FAQs.

We encourage you to reach out to an SBF staff member – points of contact are listed for each Grant Opportunity below, and on our special initiative pages.


 

Grant Opportunities

Capacity Building Grant Program

The Small Capacity Building Grant Program awards are aimed at strengthening the organizational capacity and programmatic effectiveness of nonprofit organizations serving communities within Santa Barbara County. An organization may apply once per calendar year.

  • 2024 Application Deadlines are the second Tuesday (end of day) of the following months:
    February 13 |  April 9 |  June 11 |  August 13 | October 8
  • The maximum award for a Small Capacity Building Grant is $6,000
  • Award Date: no later than eight weeks following each grant deadline
  • Please thoroughly review the program guidelines before applying.
  • If you are unsure as to whether your proposal qualifies or have questions regarding our process, please contact: Maria Caudillo, Community Engagement Coordinator

 

Community Grant Programs

Behavioral Health/Health Care Grant Program are available to support nonprofit organizations directly providing services in the areas of behavioral health and health care. Grant Max Amount: $30,000 for up to two years.

  • RFQ Opens: February 26, 2024
  • RFQ Deadline: March 15, 2024
  • Notification of Eligibility to Apply via SmartSimple: April 8, 2024
  • Grant Application Deadline: May 7, 2024
  • Award Date: August 2024
  • Please thoroughly review the program guidelines before applying
  • Contact: Jenny Kearns

 

The 4R Grants are available to support nonprofit organizations’ staffing needs as they work to improve youth social emotional health and mental wellness in Santa Barbara County. Grant Max Amount: $10,000 for one year.

  • RFQ Opens: February 26, 2024
  • RFQ Deadline: March 15, 2024
  • Notification of Eligibility to Apply via SmartSimple: April 8, 2024
  • Grant Application Deadline: May 7, 2024
  • Award Date: August 2024
  • Please thoroughly review the program guidelines before applying
  • Contact: Jenny Kearns

Food Grants are available to support nonprofit organizations directly providing services in the areas of food. Grant Max Amount: $30,000 for up to two years.

  • RFQ Opens: February 26, 2024
  • RFQ Deadline: March 15, 2024
  • Notification of Eligibility to Apply via SmartSimple: April 8, 2024
  • Grant Application Deadline: May 7, 2024
  • Award Date: August 2024
  • Please thoroughly review the program guidelines before applying
  • Contact: Bridgette Bugay

Shelter & Safety Grants are available to support nonprofit organizations directly providing services in the areas of shelter and safety and housing loss prevention assistance. Grant Max Amount: $30,000 for up to two years.

  • RFQ Opens: February 26, 2024
  • RFQ Deadline: March 15, 2024
  • Notification of Eligibility to Apply via SmartSimple: April 8, 2024
  • Grant Application Deadline: May 7, 2024
  • Award Date: August 2024
  • Please thoroughly review the program guidelines before applying
  • Contact: Bridgette Bugay

Child Care (Focus Area) Grant Programs

William and Lottie Daniel Fund Child Care Scholarships are available to nonprofit organizations that provide quality child care for working families. The funds applied for may be used to subsidize child care program fees/costs for current Santa Barbara County residents. Grant Amounts: Up to $50,000.

  • Application Opens: April 1, 2024
  • Application Deadline: May 1, 2024
  • The maximum award for a Daniel Fund Grant is $50,000.
  • Award Date: Late-June 2024
  • Please thoroughly review the program guidelines before applying
  • Contact Jamie Perez to schedule a time to discuss the suitability of your proposal prior to drafting your application.

The Santa Barbara Foundation offers Child Care grants of up to $15,000 to increase capacity among nonprofit child care providers in Santa Barbara County to meet the critical needs of young children and set the stage for lifelong learning success. This year’s grant will also focus on supporting providers in leadership and professional development, family engagement, and strategies that promote equitable access to quality child care. Grants will be awarded to nonprofit child care providers serving children 0-5 years of age.

  • Application Opens: August 19, 2024
  • Deadline: September 18, 2024
  • Award Date: Late October 2024
  • Contact Petra Amaro if you have questions about the suitability of your proposal prior to drafting your application.

Give Together Grant Programs

The Conservation, Environment and Public Trails Grant Program will support environmental sustainability, land conservation, habitat restoration, public trails, and ecosystem health across Santa Barbara County. Grant amounts: up to $25,000.

  • Application Opens: July 17, 2024
  • Deadline: August 15, 2024
  • Award Date: December 2024
  • Please thoroughly review the program guidelines before applying.
  • Contact: Jenny Kearns

The Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts seeks to invest in, nurture, and grow the arts sector by offering support for performances of a higher caliber. Grants will be available to nonprofit organizations seeking to further their mission of providing quality performing art opportunities. The maximum award for the Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts is $15,000.

  • Spring Application Opens: February 16, 2024
  • Spring Application Deadline: March 22, 2024
  • Funds Awarded: May 2024
  • Please review the 2024 Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts program guidelines
  • Fall Application Opens: September 6, 2024
  • Fall Application Deadline: October 11, 2024
  • Funds Awarded: November 2024
  • Contact: Deanna Vallejo or Jessica Sanchez

 

Blood Research and Education Grants, offered through the Tri-Counties Blood Bank Fund, are available to support blood and blood-related products and services.

  • Application Opens: August 2, 2024
  • Application Deadline: August 30, 2024
  • Funds Awarded: Early September 2024
  • Please review the 2023 Tri-Counties Blood Bank program guidelines
  • Contact: Deanna Vallejo

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. Please complete the application through our SmartSimple SBF Grant Portal.

  • Application Opens: October 16, 2023
  • Application Deadline: December 15, 2023
  • Funds Awarded: Late January 2024
  • To learn more about the 2023 grant opportunity listed above, please contact Mary Robles, Senior Programs committee member, at (805) 259-7403.
  • For technical assistance, please contact Jessica Sanchez, Santa Barbara Foundation Director of Donor Relations, at (805) 963-1873.

The Senior Programs Fund also makes available each year a sum of $5,000 for Milton Brown 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. Please complete the application through our SmartSimple SBF Grant Portal

  • No Application Deadline
  • Award Dates: Grant decisions will be made within eight weeks from request
  • To learn more about this grant opportunity, please contact Mary Robles, Senior Programs committee member, at (805) 965-6373.
  • For technical assistance, please contact Jessica Sanchez, Santa Barbara Foundation Director of Donor Relations, at (805) 963-1873.

Questions?

Contact our team to help you with your specific needs.