OUR HISTORY
In the spring of 1980, a group of Santa Barbara donors and activists established The Fund for Santa Barbara to support organizations in Santa Barbara County working for progressive social change. The creation of The FUND and its success are due in large part to the efforts of Nancy Alexander and the founding board, consisting of Bob Bason, Bill Cirone, Nancy Franco, Ed Laing, Maryanne Mott, Dave Peri, Gary Sampson, and Kit Tremaine.
THE FOLLOWING IS A BRIEF TIMELINE THAT OUTLINES SIGNIFICANT MOMENTS IN THE FUND'S HISTORY.
A group of Santa Barbara donors and activists establish the Fund for Santa Barbara to support organizations in Santa Barbara County working for progressive social change.
The FUND is fiscally sponsored by the Liberty Hill Foundation of Los Angeles.
The FUND becomes an independent 501(c)3 non-profit.
The first full-time Executive Director is hired.
The Board of Directors establishes an Endowment Fund for the Future.
The FUND becomes an affiliate of The Funding Exchange, a national network of 15 progressive foundations across the country.
The FUND begins funding non-501(c)4 organizations.
The FUND begins a partnership with the Santa Barbara International Film Festival to present an annual Social Justice Award for Documentary Film.
An office opens in Santa Maria to better serve North and Mid County communities.
The Youth Making Change program launches in order to give young people the opportunity to learn about philanthropy through the act of grant-making.
The FUND demonstrates its commitment to capacity building by hiring its first technical assistance program manager.
The FUND divests stocks from the fossil fuel industry and calls on other foundations to engage in stockholder activism to address Climate Change.
The FUND, In partnership with the Santa Barbara Independent, launches SB Gives. Over 3 years, SB Gives raises $1,015,817 to support local nonprofits.
As a response to the dramatic rise in threats to the immigrant community, the FUND establishes the Immigrant Legal Defense Fund and convenes the Immigrant Legal Defense Collaborative.
The FUND convenes the first Central Coast Funders Briefing on Environmental and Climate Justice.
The Mickey Flacks Social Housing Fund is established to support housing justice efforts in the region.
Amidst a global pandemic, the FUND celebrates its 40th anniversary.
