Santa Barbara Foundation
Santa Barbara Foundation is a public charity based in Santa Barbara, California, formed in 1928. It serves Santa Barbara County by bringing people and philanthropic resources together to address community needs and support initiatives, projects, and organizations.
Santa Barbara Foundation at a glance
In short: Santa Barbara Foundation gave $107.7M across 447 grants in 2024 (avg $241K), mostly in California. 31% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $107,676,408
- +336.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 447
- +15.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $240,887
- +277.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $503,570,797
- +6.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (137 of 447, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (83% 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 Santa Barbara Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Review the opportunity and its eligibility criteria and guidelines, contact the relevant staff member with questions or to discuss a project, and follow that program’s application and submission procedures. The foundation’s filing states that grant recipients must provide reports on the use of funds; additional eligibility and reporting requirements may apply by program.
- Review Cycle
- Deadlines are program-specific. The 2026 dates listed on the foundation’s nonprofit page are past as of October 2, 2026.
- Deadline
- Deadlines are program-specific.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1111 Chapala St Ste 200, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-3100
Phone: (805) 963-1873
Website: https://sbfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
15 open opportunities from Santa Barbara Foundation
Behavioral Health/Health Care Grant Program
Santa Barbara Foundation
Amount
Up to US $30,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Child Care Grant Program
Santa Barbara Foundation
Amount
Up to US $15,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Grants - Shelter & Safety Grants
Santa Barbara Foundation
Amount
Up to US $30,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Santa Barbara Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Wyatt Family Foundation ($67.7M). Together the top 10 received $87.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
2,047 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,498 grants of 2,047 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it serves the entire county of Santa Barbara. In its 2024 itemized grants, 83% of grant dollars went to recipients in California; the largest listed recipient-state shares outside California were Florida at 7% and Kentucky at 6%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 447 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Santa Barbara Foundation open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 137 of 447 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $592K; repeat grants $86K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $26K 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 $23.4M (2020) to $107.7M (2024). In 2024 it made 447 grants totaling $107.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wyatt Family Foundation Santa Barbara, CA | To Fund Supporting Organization | $67,749,150 |
| Dechomai Asset Trust Jacksonville, FL | Public and Societal Benefit | $7,000,000 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Covington, KY | Public and Societal Benefit | $6,299,195 |
| Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA | Education and Youth Development | $1,271,700 |
| Foothills Forever Incorporated Santa Barbara, CA | Environment and Animals | $1,159,104 |
| Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts Inc Santa Barbara, CA | Arts, Culture, and Humanities | $1,098,650 |
| Community Partners Los Angeles, CA | Public and Societal Benefit | $890,993 |
| Lewis & Clark College Portland, OR | Education and Youth Development | $756,340 |
| Animal Legal Defense Fund Cotati, CA | Environment and Animals | $689,100 |
| Santa Barbara Humane Society Santa Barbara, CA | Environment and Animals | $618,221 |
Ready to take the next step with Santa Barbara Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $503,570,797 | $121,575,886 | $120,022,004 | $107,676,408 | 447 | $16,931,249 |
| 2023 | $474,773,392 | $37,810,274 | $35,776,166 | $24,677,821 | 387 | $8,873,473 |
| 2022 | $439,373,124 | $65,112,090 | $34,018,312 | $24,167,787 | 401 | $18,422,637 |
| 2021 | $456,585,072 | $53,590,434 | $43,641,618 | $34,988,072 | 420 | $11,907,616 |
| 2020 | $420,966,327 | $43,254,704 | $32,916,746 | $23,439,865 | 392 | $10,631,369 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to mobilize collective wisdom and philanthropic capital to build empathetic, inclusive, and resilient communities. Its 2024–2028 strategic priorities are to express and embody its highest ideals, invest for thriving and resilient communities, and inspire charitable giving countywide.
The foundation says it serves the entire county and funds a wide range of initiatives and organizations. Its 2024 filing reports more than $1 million in funding for local nonprofits providing behavioral health, health care, food, and shelter and safety services. It also reports more than $1 million for the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara for student aid. The foundation says that collaboration supported scholarship awards for more than 150 Santa Barbara County students.
Examples of grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara describes its work as helping county students through college, graduate, and vocational school with information, advising, and scholarships. Foothills Forever Incorporated says it works to conserve Santa Barbara’s foothills and open space. The Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts describes its mission as providing a performing arts center and diverse entertainment, including culturally and educationally valuable events. The Santa Barbara Humane Society says it provides animal care, veterinary services, behavior programs, and shelter. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
The foundation’s 2024 filing lists 447 itemized grants totaling $107,676,408. Those grants ranged from $5,200 to $67,749,150, with a median of $25,000. Separately, the filing’s program description says the foundation awarded more than 2,000 grants to nonprofit organizations in 2024 through various types of funds.
Among the largest itemized grants were $67,749,150 to Wyatt Family Foundation, whose stated mission is to support the activities of the Santa Barbara Foundation; $7 million to Dechomai Asset Trust; and $6,299,195 to Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund. Other listed awards included $1,271,700 to the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, $1,159,104 to Foothills Forever Incorporated, and $1,098,650 to the Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts.
The foundation’s website says its grants respond to needs and requests from nonprofits in the community and are awarded through research, planning, due diligence, and evaluation, with staff consulting community volunteers. It directs applicants to review available opportunities, eligibility criteria, and program guidelines; discuss questions or projects with the relevant staff member; and submit an application through the program’s stated procedure. Most applications are online, with Give Together applications completed using a fillable PDF. The foundation’s filing says competitive grants are for 501(c)(3) organizations serving Santa Barbara County, require annual follow-up reports, and may involve site visits and interviews. It also states that recipients of advised grants must agree not to use any portion of the grant for goods or services benefiting the donor or related parties.
The website lists programs including conservation, environment and public trails; child care; senior programs; and capacity building. The program information provided gives award limits of up to $25,000 for the conservation program, up to $50,000 for the William and Lottie Daniel Fund Child Care Scholarship Grant, and $2,000–$15,000 for Senior Programs of Santa Barbara Grants. The website’s stated 2026 deadlines precede October 2, 2026, and are past.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jacqueline Carrera as President & CEO; Todd Yuba as VP, Finance & Administration; Tammy Sims Johnson as VP, Philanthropic Services; and Elizabeth Thasiah as VP, Programs. It lists Matt Rowe as Chair, Stephen Hicks as Chair Emeritus, and Angel Iscovich as Vice Chair.
Santa Barbara Foundation is led by Jacqueline Carrera, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 7 of 28 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jacqueline Carrera
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$325K (2020) → $457K (2024)
Matt Rowe
Chair
Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janet Mocker
Senior Director of Finance
CFO → CFO & Senior Director of Finance, 2021
CFO & Senior Director of Finance → Senior Director of Finance, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$167K (2020) → $187K (2024)
Jessica Sanchez
Senior Director of Donor Relations
Director of Donor Relations → Senior Director of Donor Relations, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$116K (2021) → $144K (2024)
Jenny Kearns
Senior Director of Grantmaking
Director of Grantmaking → Senior Director of Grantmaking, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$120K (2023) → $138K (2024)
Ernesto Paredes
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Gann
Trustee
Chair → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Phil Alvarado
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Nakasone
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Richards
Trustee
Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tracy Stouffer
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alex Simas
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Macal
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Zohar Ziv
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lynn Scarlett
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rafael Gonzalez
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard Beswick
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexandra Allen
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
George Adam
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kiah Jordan
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lois Mitchell
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Todd Yuba
Vice President, Finance & Administration
Vice President, Finance & Administrator → Vice President, Finance & Administration, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$174K (2021) → $298K (2024)
Tammy Sims Johnson
Vice President & Philanthropic Services
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$136K (2022) → $214K (2024)
Elizabeth Thasiah
Vice President & Programs
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$224K (2024)
Angel Iscovich
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Danna McGrew
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Hicks
Chair Emeritus
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Chair Emeritus, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Pfau
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Ginger Salazar (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Randall Day (2020–2023) — Trustee · Filing note: Thru 9/2023
- Former: Rubayi Estes (2020–2023) — Vice President & Programs
- Former: James Rogers (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Celine Delpoux (2023) — Director of Accounting
- Former: Michael D. Young (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Niki Sandoval (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Gary Clark (2021–2022) — Director of Collab for Social Impact
- Former: Cathy Pepe (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Diane Adam (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Donna France (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Pedro Paz (2020–2021) — Director, Policy & External Affairs
- Former: Cheri Savage (2020) — Director of Investments
- Former: Jennifer Murray (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Ronald Gallo EdD (2020) — CEO Emeritus
- Former: Tom Sheil (2020) — Controller
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 $457K, to Jacqueline Carrera (President & CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Santa Barbara Foundation
How much does Santa Barbara Foundation give each year?
Santa Barbara Foundation gave $107.7M across 447 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $24.7M across 387 grants.
What is Santa Barbara Foundation's typical grant size?
Santa Barbara Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $240,887, across 447 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Santa Barbara Foundation that year got $592K on average.
Where does Santa Barbara Foundation give grants?
Santa Barbara Foundation gives mostly in California: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Florida (7%) and Kentucky (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Santa Barbara, CA (181 grants), Los Angeles, CA (20 grants), Santa Maria, CA (19 grants) and Goleta, CA (18 grants).
Does Santa Barbara Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 447 grants with a stated purpose on Santa Barbara Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Arts, Culture, and Humanities" (83 grants), "Environment and Animals" (72 grants) and "Human Services" (72 grants).
Who are Santa Barbara Foundation's largest grantees?
Santa Barbara Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Wyatt Family Foundation ($67,749,150), Dechomai Asset Trust ($7,000,000) and Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund ($6,299,195), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 75% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Santa Barbara Foundation?
Santa Barbara Foundation reported $503.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $121.6M.
What does Santa Barbara Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to mobilize collective wisdom and philanthropic capital to build empathetic, inclusive, and resilient communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Santa Barbara Foundation?
Review the opportunity and its eligibility criteria and guidelines, contact the relevant staff member with questions or to discuss a project, and follow that program’s application and submission procedures. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Santa Barbara Foundation's EIN?
Santa Barbara Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-1866094. 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 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Santa Barbara Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Hutton Foundation
Santa Barbara, CA
The Hutton Foundation funds Santa Barbara County nonprofits in arts and culture, civic and community work, education, and health and human services, with priority for programs serving low-income and other underserved people. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $100,000, with a median of $10,000; it accepts unsolicited requests through its grant cycles.
Assets
$107.0M
Grants
190
Total Given
$1.9M
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
Williams-Corbett Foundation
Santa Barbara, CA
The Williams-Corbett Foundation supports California nonprofits working in areas such as mental health, education, housing, food access, and cancer care, with a strong Santa Barbara-area presence. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,674 to $40,000, with a median of $15,000. It has no grant application form; organizations may submit a request letter by March 15 or September 15.
Assets
$23.4M
Grants
79
Total Given
$1.2M
The Wood-Claeyssens Foundation
Santa Barbara, CA
The Wood-Claeyssens Foundation supports California nonprofits, primarily in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, across areas including health care, education, museums, animal welfare, and community programs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $30,000. It accepts requests from qualified 501(c)(3) organizations and asks applicants to submit a letter and supporting documents.
Assets
$131.3M
Grants
112
Total Given
$8.4M
Orange County Community Foundation
Irvine, CA
The Orange County Community Foundation supports a wide range of causes, including human services, education, health, arts, the environment, and community development, primarily in Orange County and also beyond. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely; it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$743.6M
Grants
975
Total Given
$120.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Santa Barbara Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/santa-barbara-foundation-morg_7170e1770ce146a8b681d04243eb4375
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_951866094_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Santa Barbara Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/santa-barbara-foundation-morg_7170e1770ce146a8b681d04243eb4375},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Santa Barbara Foundation'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.
Santa Barbara Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?