The Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF) raised a record-breaking $278,000-plus at its recent Hope Awards event that celebrates creativity and recognizes individuals and programs that impact students in the Santa Barbara Unified School District.

The funds raised came from support from the community, including matching funds from the Kirby Jones Foundation and a $10,000 lead gift from the John C. Mithun Foundation.

More than $100,000 will support Teacher Grants and Student Grants that provide essential resources for creative, project-based learning, classroom innovation, and student-led initiatives.

The event was emceed by Santa Barbara Junior High School theater teacher Rich Lashua and featured performances from Brasscals and the Goleta Valley Junior High School Theatre Group, which performed selections from their recent production of “SpongeBob the Musical.”

Culinary arts students from Santa Barbara, San Marcos and Dos Pueblos high schools served guests salads, appetizers and desserts, showcasing their skills and creativity.

The Hope Awards honored the work of the late Margie Yahyavi, former SBEF executive director, and the Children’s Creative Project (CCP) for their contributions to local students.

As SBEF executive director (2010-22), Yahyavi profoundly impacted public education in Santa Barbara. Her leadership helped secure funding for literacy intervention, teacher grants, and emergency support for students during the pandemic.

“Even in retirement, she remained a beloved presence at SBEF events and a powerful public education advocate. Her legacy of collaboration and commitment continues to inspire and uplift our community,” SBEF said.

For 50 years, CCP, a Santa Barbara County Education Office program, has been igniting imaginations and transforming lives through the power of the arts.

Through the Resident Artist Division and Touring Artist Program, CCP brings professional artists into classrooms from preschool through grade 12.

CCP also presents the annual I Madonnari Street Painting Festival to raise funds for arts education and support programs such as Kids at the Bowl, Pianos on State, and South Coast Kids Create.

CCP reaches more than 50,000 students throughout the region each year.

The awards event also highlighted two of SBEF’s initiatives, Teacher Grants and Student Grants.

Since 2018, SBEF has invested some $888,000 in classrooms through Teacher Grants, funding grants once a year to support the purchase of much-needed supplies, tools, field trips, and innovative teaching resources.

Taking note of Teacher Grants’ success, SBEF launched the Student Grants program last year to empower high school students to lead positive change on their campuses. Grants support student-managed projects to address school-based needs and introduce youth to the grant-writing process.

Two Student Grant recipients Isabelle Chabinyc and Chelsea Miao talked about their experience launching a zine through San Marcos High School’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance. Their grant-funded project aims to educate, build community, and uplift student voices.

“It’s personal for all of us, at the club and here on stage,” Chabinyc said. “Having the security of an organization like this one is increasingly invaluable.”

“We would like to give a huge thank you to SBEF for not only supporting us with your grant, but also trusting us to do the work we would need to do,” Miao said.

The Santa Barbara Education Foundation thanks Hope Awards sponsors:
Pillar Sponsor SAGE Publishing; Visionary Sponsors Griffith and Thornburgh and Trusted Legal; Ambassador Sponsors Arlington Financial Advisors, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo.

Also, Chevron, KBZ Architects, Los Arroyos, M.F. Strange & Associates, RSH Construction, and Santa Barbara Historical Museum; Champion Sponsors Chaucer’s Books, Cottage Health Systems.

And, Goldenvoice, Hospice of Santa Barbara, Huckabee, McGillivray Construction, Montecito Bank & Trust, Montecito Journal, Nick Rail Music, Pedro and Whitney Paz, Santa Barbara Foundation, and Smart & Final.

Founded in 1985, the Santa Barbara Education Foundation promotes private support of Santa Barbara’s public education system, serving 12,000 students in 21 schools. For more, visit santabarbaraeducation.org.