Racial Equity Grant

Racial Equity Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The Fund for Santa Barbara
Last Updated: September 14, 2025

Summary

The Racial Equity Grant, administered by The Fund for Santa Barbara, supports organizations in Santa Barbara County that focus on addressing systemic racism. The fund aims to strengthen the capacity of historically marginalized organizations, promote civic participation, and develop leadership within these communities. With objectives including cultural change and policy advocacy, this initiative seeks to reverse the impacts of racism and enhance equity in the region.

Overview

The Fund for Santa Barbara Our Mission Advancing progressive change by strengthening movements for Economic, Environmental, Political, Racial, and Social Justice The Fund for Santa Barbara (est. 1980) is a non-traditional community foundation that supports organizations and groups working for progressive social change in Santa Barbara County. The FUND is dedicated to helping find solutions to current and emerging social problems and issues that challenge our society as a whole. We understand that social conditions improve most dramatically when those who have been denied power and justice lead on their own behalf to confront, challenge, and change the conditions that have denied them access to justice and equity. Racial Equity Grant This program is funded and supported by the County of Santa Barbara and administered in collaboration with the Fund for Santa Barbara. The Board of Supervisors has allocated funding to support the current cycle. Mission: To invest in and strengthen organizations that address anti-racism through systems change strategies in Santa Barbara County. This fund aims to effect the culture, policy, and systems change necessary to advance racial equity and justice, and reverse the legacy of slavery and effects of racism in Santa Barbara County. Objectives: This fund aims to provide organizational capacity assistance to: Strengthen the ecosystem of diverse, anti-racism organizations in the community that share a common goal to address cultural and systemic effects of racism. Increase active participation of historically marginalized communities to influence civic matters that impact our community at large. Develop the pipeline to uplift historically marginalized leaders to positions of decision-making and influence. Increase and sustain investment to strengthen organizations led by historically marginalized who have lacked access to capital. Addressing and working to change systemic negative narratives about the legacy of slavery in the communityEstablish and advance organizational capacity in organizations historically marginalized in the following areas: Leadership development;  Advocacy, policy change, legal analysis, and research; Strategic communications; Alliance and coalition building; Organizational development; Community engagement and organizing; Innovation and continuous learning; Develop organizational and programmatic objectives, conduct evaluations, and assess outcomes.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Must be a historically marginalized organization in Santa Barbara County (i.e. Must serve community members directly harmed by the racist policies and marginalized by systemic racism) Must include as a core mission the goal of addressing systemic racism Work must be ongoing; new initiatives will not be consideredProjects must take place in the County of Santa BarbaraHave a Tax ID Number, Employer Identification Number (EIN), or a fiscal sponsorHave an organizational bank account (or a fiscal sponsor's)

Ineligibility

REG funding cannot be used for lobbying, legal strategy or 501(c)4 work