Following the kickoff to its 50th anniversary, Monday, March 17, Montecito Bank & Trust held its annual Anniversary Grants reception at the bank’s downtown branch, Wednesday evening.
The bank’s late founder Michael Towbes initiated the Anniversary Grants program in 1993 to honor Montecito Bank & Trust’s anniversary by giving back to the community. He wanted bank employees to have a voice in the direction of the bank’s corporate giving and to celebrate the exceptional volunteer service they give back to Central Coast communities.
This year’s 11 local nonprofit recipients were all hand-selected by bank employees after they campaigned, rallied and voted for the organizations that make an impact in their lives and communities.
In a surprise twist this year, each Anniversary Grant award was increased to $5,000 to commemorate the bank’s 50th anniversary.
Recipients also received a one-minute promotional video showcasing each organization’s extraordinary work and the bank provides additional promotion of each organization in the branches and on social media throughout the year.
“We are so grateful to our communities for their part in helping Montecito Bank & Trust reach our 50th anniversary,” said Janet Garufis, bank chairman/CEO. “Together, we have accomplished a lot over these 50 years, and I believe our founder, Michael Towbes, would be proud of the partnerships we’ve built and the impact we’ve generated across the Central Coast.
“Anniversary Grants is always a wonderful and inspiring way to recognize our associates’ dedication to the communities they serve and to applaud and support the nonprofits who help to make our communities better through their tireless work, every day.
“It was an honor to share this evening with Jerry Parent, a dear friend of Michael Towbes and a 46-year MB&T Board director; his compassion for and dedication to our communities is best-in-class,” Garufis said “On behalf of our associates and our Board of Directors, we are excited to be celebrating 50 years of loving and living local and we look forward to what more we can accomplish with our partners in the years to come.”
Five years ago, the bank introduced the Jerry Parent Anniversary Grants Legacy Award to honor the decades-long selfless community contributions of long-time Board sirector Jerry Parent.
The award is presented to an organization that makes a significant and sustainable impact on a local community. The organization is nominated by a bank associate and selected by a committee with the input of Mr. Parent.
The sixth recipient of the Legacy Award is Many Mansions for providing well-managed, service-enriched, affordable housing to low-income residents of Southern California,” the bank said.
Many Mansions also received a $5,000 grant and a promotional video, and will be featured on a commemorative plaque in the bank’s Downtown Branch.
The bank recognizes the following 2025 Anniversary Grants recipients:
C.A.R.E.4Paws
CALM
Explore Ecology
Friendship Adult Day Care Center
Olive Crest’s Hope Refuge
Mission Scholars
Peabody Charter School
Rooted Santa Barbara County
San Marcos High School Vocal Music Program
Santa Barbara Community Archives Project
For a video of each Anniversary Grant promotional video, visit montecito.bank/Anniversary-Grants.
Montecito Bank & Trust is the oldest and largest locally owned community bank in the Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
Founded in 1975, the bank celebrated its 50th anniversary on March 17, 2025, and operates 13 branch offices in Santa Maria, Solvang, Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Carpinteria, Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, and Westlake Village.