Fund for Santa Barbara Inc
Fund for Santa Barbara Inc is a public charity based in Santa Barbara, California, formed in 1980. It provides cash grants and free consulting to grassroots organizations in Santa Barbara County, with a stated focus on addressing the root causes of social, economic, and environmental challenges.
Fund for Santa Barbara Inc at a glance
In short: Fund for Santa Barbara Inc gave $464K across 25 grants in 2024 (avg $19K), mostly in California. 56% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $463,780
- +4.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 25
- -26.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $18,551
- +42.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $5,573,196
- +29.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 56% first-time grantees (14 of 25, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Fund for Santa Barbara Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 1528 Chapala Street 303, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 736-0164
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Fund for Santa Barbara Inc
Fund for Santa Barbara Grants - Movement Building Grant
Fund for Santa Barbara Inc
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Fund for Santa Barbara: Emerging Need Grants
Fund for Santa Barbara Inc
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Fund for Santa Barbara: Mickey Flacks Social Housing Fund Grant
Fund for Santa Barbara Inc
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Fund for Santa Barbara Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Healing Justice Santa Barbara (HJSB) ($60K). Together the top 10 received $326K.
Grant Size Distribution
130 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 127 grants of 130 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Fund’s stated service area is Santa Barbara County. All grant dollars itemized in the 2024 filing went to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Fund for Santa Barbara Inc open to new grantees?
56%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 25 grantees (56%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $20K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $235K (2021) to $515K (2022). In 2024 it made 25 grants totaling $464K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Healing Justice Santa Barbara (HJSB) Goleta, CA | General Support | $60,000 |
| Collective Cultures Creating Change - Lompoc Lompoc, CA | Program/Project | $54,570 |
| Martin Luther King Jr Committee Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA | General Support | $48,300 |
| Cause Action Fund Ventura, CA | General Support | $30,000 |
| National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Santa Maria-LOM Santa Maria, CA | General Support | $30,000 |
| Planned Parenthood California Central Coast Santa Barbara, CA | General Support | $30,000 |
| One Community Action of Santa Maria Valley Santa Maria, CA | Program/Project | $30,000 |
| Santa Barbara Asian American Pacific Islander Solidarity Network (Sbaapisn) Ventura, CA | Program/Project | $18,380 |
| Gateway Educational Services Santa Barbara, CA | Program/Project | $15,000 |
| Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization Lompoc, CA | Program/Project | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Fund for Santa Barbara Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,573,196 | $3,746,864 | $2,370,021 | $463,780 | 25 | $128,839 |
| 2023 | $4,298,710 | $2,656,659 | $1,955,373 | $442,890 | 34 | $-137,959 |
| 2022 | $3,035,480 | $1,727,517 | $1,778,568 | $514,650 | 31 | $139,939 |
| 2021 | $3,575,177 | $1,966,888 | $1,430,633 | $235,000 | 22 | $424,560 |
| 2020 | $3,118,213 | $1,576,837 | $1,372,465 | $288,459 | 18 | $147,642 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to provide cash grants and free consulting to grassroots organizations in Santa Barbara County. Its program description says it is dedicated to addressing the root causes of social, economic, and environmental challenges in the county. Its grant programs also address economic, environmental, political, racial, and social justice, including movement building and racial equity.
The 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. Healing Justice Santa Barbara describes its mission as uplifting Black and African Americans and affirming their right to safety, love, equity, respect, and joy. One Community Action describes itself as a culturally responsive organization empowering youth and the broader community through community-driven initiatives. Planned Parenthood California Central Coast says it works to improve sexual and reproductive health through health care, education, and advocacy. Other 2024 grantees describe work in special-needs education, organizing Indigenous migrant communities, food systems, and free health care for uninsured adults.
Grantmaking
The 2024 filing lists 25 grants totaling $463,780. Grant amounts ranged from $5,530 to $60,000, with a median of $10,000. Separately, the organization’s 2024 filing narrative states that it provided $792,119 in grants to grassroots organizations in Santa Barbara County.
The largest grants itemized for 2024 included $60,000 to Healing Justice Santa Barbara for general support; $54,570 to Collective Cultures Creating Change – Lompoc for a program or project; and $48,300 to the Martin Luther King Jr Committee Santa Barbara for general support. Other listed awards included $30,000 each to Cause Action Fund, the Santa Maria-Lompoc chapter of the NAACP, Planned Parenthood California Central Coast, and One Community Action.
The Fund’s filing describes a rigorous process: an initial inquiry, staff feedback on a draft proposal, a formal proposal, two grant-making committee review meetings, a site visit, and a vote of the full board. After an award, staff regularly contact recipients; written reports are due every six months and when funds are expended, as applicable. Follow-up site visits may be conducted. Grant decisions are reported to donors and the wider community, and grants may be rescinded if agreement terms are violated.
Programs listed as active include the Movement Building Grant, with awards of up to $10,000, the Racial Equity Grant, and the Racial Equity Fund of the County of Santa Barbara Grant, with awards of up to $100,000. The latter is described as supported by a County commitment of $500,000. The Racial Equity Grant program is described as supporting Santa Barbara County organizations addressing systemic racism, strengthening historically marginalized organizations, and promoting civic participation and leadership.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing are Eric Cardenas, president; Joyce Howerton, vice president; Arcelia Sencion, treasurer; Andrew Oman, secretary; and directors Ted Rhodes, Debbie Goldsmith, Cuco Rodriguez, Mahil Senathirajah, Susan Wax, and Annette Cordero.
Fund for Santa Barbara Inc is led by Eder Gaona Macedo, Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2023); 1 of 13 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Eder Gaona Macedo
Executive Director
Director → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$18K (2023) → $155K (2024)
Eric Cardenas
President
Director → Gmc Liason, 2022
Gmc Liason → President, 2023
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Wax
Director
Gmc Liason → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ted Rhodes
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cuco Rodriguez
Director
Gmc Liason → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mahil Senathirajah
Director
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Annette Cordero
Director
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Debbie Goldsmith
Director
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Quetzal Sanchez
Director
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terri Zuniga
Director
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Oman
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Arcelia Sencion
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joyce Howerton
Vice President
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (25)
- Former: Chelsea Lancaster (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: David Landecker (2020–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Diane Fujino (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Gloria Soto (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jennifer Hooten (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Julia Hamilton (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Marcos Vargas (2020–2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Maria Garcia-Cacique (2020–2023) — Gmc Liason
- Former: David Pellow (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Erica Reyes (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Anna Everett PhD (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Patricia Solorio (2023) — Associate Director
- Former: Ruth Ackerman (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Eder Gaona-Macedo (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Suzanne Valery (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: LeeAnn McNulty (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Marsha Bailey (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Cuco Reyes (2021) — Director
- Former: John Steed (2021) — Director
- Former: Alejandra Mahoney (2020) — Director
- Former: Alexis Weaver (2020) — Director
- Former: Alice OConnor (2020) — Director
- Former: Donna Will (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Kate Adams (2020) — Vice President
- Former: Pedro Paz (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $155K, to Eder Gaona Macedo (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Fund for Santa Barbara Inc
How much does Fund for Santa Barbara Inc give each year?
Fund for Santa Barbara Inc gave $464K across 25 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $443K across 34 grants.
What is Fund for Santa Barbara Inc's typical grant size?
Fund for Santa Barbara Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $18,551, across 25 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Fund for Santa Barbara Inc that year got $18K on average.
Where does Fund for Santa Barbara Inc give grants?
Fund for Santa Barbara Inc gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Santa Barbara, CA (7 grants), Lompoc, CA (7 grants), Santa Maria, CA (4 grants) and Ventura, CA (3 grants).
Does Fund for Santa Barbara Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 40% of Fund for Santa Barbara Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (10 of 25) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Program/Project" (15 grants).
Who are Fund for Santa Barbara Inc's largest grantees?
Fund for Santa Barbara Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Healing Justice Santa Barbara (HJSB) ($60,000), Collective Cultures Creating Change - Lompoc ($54,570) and Martin Luther King Jr Committee Santa Barbara ($48,300), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Fund for Santa Barbara Inc?
Fund for Santa Barbara Inc reported $5.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.7M.
What does Fund for Santa Barbara Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to provide cash grants and free consulting to grassroots organizations in Santa Barbara County. Its program description says it is dedicated to addressing the root causes of social, economic, and environmental challenges in the county. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Fund for Santa Barbara Inc?
Fund for Santa Barbara Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Fund for Santa Barbara Inc's EIN?
Fund for Santa Barbara Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0070742. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 15, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Fund for Santa Barbara Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Fund for Santa Barbara Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Funders that support many of the same organizations
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More similar funders
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Fund for Santa Barbara Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/fund-for-santa-barbara-inc-morg_72e61cceef9a4f4ca8d504807547793e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_770070742_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Fund for Santa Barbara Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/fund-for-santa-barbara-inc-morg_72e61cceef9a4f4ca8d504807547793e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Fund for Santa Barbara Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Fund for Santa Barbara Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?