The Santa Barbara Foundation (SBF) announces funding opportunities for community solutions throughout Santa Barbara County in 2026.
The Santa Barbara Foundation makes grants in response to needs and requests from nonprofits in the community. Key areas identified as priorities in Santa Barbara County include Behavioral Health & Health Care, Food, Shelter & Safety, Child Care, the Performing Arts, and Conservation & the Environment.
The Foundation continues to provide grants from the Critical Needs Response Fund, a new grant program established in September 2025 that provides flexible resources that help organizations adapt, respond, and remain resilient in a shifting landscape.
Grants are awarded following a competitive application process and review period including rigorous research, planning and due diligence. Foundation staff consult with community volunteers whose expertise ensures a balanced approach to the review process.
“We are so excited to collaborate with our nonprofit partners in the year ahead,” said Liz Thasiah, Santa Barbara Foundation vice president of programs. “Our local nonprofits are the champions of public good. Each day, they create spaces where people feel welcomed and valued. They strengthen the fabric that holds our communities together.”
Nonprofits and community members can find updated details and learn more about all the Santa Barbara Foundation grant opportunities at their website: SBFoundation.org/Nonprofits/Grant-Opportunities.
Critical Needs Response Fund
A new initiative created in 2025, the Critical Needs Response Fund offers short-term, timely support to nonprofit organizations that are experiencing financial disruptions due to changes in federal or public funding and/or are experiencing an increase in demand for services due to policy shifts.
- Deadline: Ongoing
- Maximum award: $50,000
Small Capacity Building Grant Program
The Small Capacity Building Grant Program awards are aimed at strengthening the organizational capacity and programmatic effectiveness of nonprofit organizations serving communities within Santa Barbara County. An organization may apply once per calendar year.
- Deadlines: Feb. 10 | May 12 | July 14 | Sept. 8
- Maximum award: $6,000
Multi-Year Community Grant Program
The Community Grant Program offers multi-year, general operating grants in three program areas. Organizations are only eligible to be awarded a grant in one program area; therefore, the Santa Barbara Foundation highly recommends that organizations strategically apply to the program area that most closely aligns with their mission.
- Behavioral Health & Health Care — Behavioral Health & Health Care grants are available to support nonprofit organizations providing direct health care or behavioral health care services or support to clients.
- Deadline: March 3
- Maximum award: $30,000 for up to two years
- Food — Food grants are available to support nonprofit organizations directly addressing food insecurity and/or working on food systems change and resiliency in Santa Barbara County.
- Deadline: April 28
- Maximum award: $30,000 for up to two years
- Shelter & Safety — Shelter & Safety grants are available to support nonprofit organizations directly providing access to shelter for unhoused community members or preventing homelessness; and/or safe shelter or structural support for survivors of gender-based violence, abuse or other risks to safety, or working to prevent exploitation and abuse.
- Deadline: August 11
- Maximum award: $30,000 for up to two years
Youth Mental Health Providers Recruit, Retain, Rest and Recuperation (4R) Fund
4R Grants are available to support nonprofit organizations’ youth mental health professional staffing needs as they work to improve behavioral healthcare for children, youth and their families and caregivers.
- Deadline: March 3
- Maximum award: $10,000
Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts Grant Program
The Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts builds the capacity of the arts social sector through grants that are available to nonprofit organizations seeking to further their mission of providing quality performing art opportunities.
- Spring deadline: March 13 | Fall deadline: Oct. 9
- Maximum award: $15,000
William & Lottie Daniel Fund Child Care Scholarships
William and Lottie Daniel Fund Child Care Scholarships are available to nonprofit organizations that provide quality child care for working families. Grant funds may be used to subsidize child care program fees/costs for current Santa Barbara County residents.
- Deadline: April 28
- Maximum award: $50,000
Child Care Grant Program
Child Care grants are available to increase professional capacity among nonprofit child care providers in Santa Barbara County to meet the critical needs of young children and set the stage for lifelong learning success. Grants will be awarded to nonprofit child care providers serving children up to age 5.
- Deadline: Sept. 1
- Maximum award: $15,000
Conservation, Environment and Public Trails (CEPT) Grant Program
The Conservation, Environment and Public Trails Grant Program preserves and ensures equitable access to the region’s natural resources and trail systems by supporting environmental sustainability, land conservation, habitat restoration, public trails and ecosystem health.
- Deadline: Aug. 6
- Maximum award: $25,000
Tri-Counties Blood Bank Grant Program
Blood Research and Education Grants, offered through the Tri-Counties Blood Bank Fund, are available to support blood and blood-related products and services.
- Deadline: Aug. 28
About Santa Barbara Foundation
Founded in 1928, the Santa Barbara Foundation actively connects donors, nonprofits, government, businesses and the people of Santa Barbara County to take on the most challenging needs facing our region’s communities. Recognizing that its work depends on the strength of the social sector, the Foundation is committed to the health and vitality of local nonprofits. Knowing that together we can do more, the Foundation mobilizes charitable giving and connects their expertise to that of donors, nonprofits, and residents to create meaningful impact on the communities of our county. SBFoundation.org.