Giving Tuesday may be behind us, but the spirit of giving is still going strong. In Santa Barbara County, year-end contributions remain one of the most meaningful ways to uplift local nonprofits and strengthen the community we all share.
At Noozhawk, we’re committed to highlighting the power of community support and the difference that even small acts of generosity can make when they stay close to home.
Our Good for Santa Barbara County Nonprofit Section was created to connect you with organizations making a real impact. Whether you choose to give, volunteer, or simply share their mission, every action helps.
Take a moment to explore our Giving Guide and help bring a little extra light to those who need it most this season.
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Alejandra Folguera, Director of Nomad Tango, to learn more about the organization’s mission to push Flamenco forward with new formats and music, and to build community through practicas, classes, shows, and live performances.
Nomad Tango
Question: What is the name of your nonprofit, and what is its mission?
Answer: Nomad Tango promotes and organizes the dancing, performing, and social experience of Argentine Tango in Santa Barbara, CA, through community events, education, and cultural programming.
Q: How long has your organization been serving the community, and who founded it?
A: Nomad Tango emerged in 2021, as communities were cautiously reopening after the pandemic. During a live-music tango event she organized that year, founder Alejandra Folguera witnessed firsthand how tango could counteract social isolation and restore human connection.
Recognizing tango’s cultural significance—designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009—Alejandra launched an ambitious program of live-music socials, low-cost prácticas, workshops with renowned maestros, and film and lecture series to deepen understanding of this art form.
Today, tango in Santa Barbara is thriving, and Nomad Tango continues to expand its impact and community reach.
Q: What motivated the creation of your nonprofit?
A: In 2021, as communities were slowly reopening after the pandemic, isolation and loneliness had become widespread social challenges. During a concert and social dance event she organized with live musicians from Argentina, Alejandra Folguera witnessed firsthand the powerful impact of tango on community well-being. She saw how people—simply by gathering around food, music, and dance—were deeply transformed.
Alejandra recognized that Tango Argentino, with its history and its focus on the close embrace, is uniquely positioned to address social isolation. Subsequent scientific studies have reinforced this insight, demonstrating the positive effects of tango on mental health and cognitive function.
Motivated by this potential, Alejandra founded Nomad Tango with the belief that this extraordinary art form must be protected, nurtured, and passed on to future generations and to people around the world.
Q: How is your nonprofit primarily funded, and what are its biggest needs right now?
A: Nomad Tango is funded approximately 50% through ticket sales and 50% through individual and foundation donations. This model allows us to keep ticket prices affordable and to offer low-cost prácticas, ensuring broad community access.
However, this level of support is not yet sufficient to sustain salaries or build the administrative infrastructure required for long-term stability. Our biggest need is reliable multi-year funding to transition from a founder-led initiative into a fully staffed, professionally managed organization capable of serving the community for decades.
Q: How do you allocate your funding to support your mission?
A: Most of our funding goes directly to program delivery, including artist fees, travel, venue rental, and production needs. These investments ensure that dancers, musicians, and teachers are compensated fairly and that our community enjoys high-quality cultural experiences.
We also dedicate a significant portion to marketing and outreach. Because tango occupies a relatively niche space in the arts, we invest heavily in advertising, digital engagement, and education to reach new audiences and grow participation.
Q: What types of events or programs do you run to engage your community and raise funds?
A: Our fundraising strategy has three components:
Direct outreach: Email and social media campaigns that share our mission and invite community support.
Personal donor cultivation: Engagement of arts patrons within Alejandra and Rodney’s networks.
Grants and institutional partnerships: A growing area of success that we plan to expand as capacity increases.
These combined efforts sustain our programs and deepen community engagement with tango.
Q: How is your team structured? Have there been any major changes in your operations since you started?
A: Our organization is guided by a dedicated team of six:
Alejandra Folguera – Founder, Director, Board Member
Rodney Gustafson – Co-producer
Liliana Hensel – Outreach & Development
Sylvia Madhow – Communications Officer, Board Member
Elaine Lopez – Board Member
As our programming has grown, roles have become more structured, particularly in communications, development, and production, though our core team has remained stable.
Q: What sets your nonprofit apart from similar organizations?
A: Nomad Tango stands out for the breadth of its programming and its deep commitment to community connection through the embrace at the heart of Tango Argentino. Tango’s unique relational technique—based on sensitivity, shared interpretation, and emotional presence—distinguishes it from all other partner dances.
We integrate the full cultural spectrum of tango: music, dance, poetry, film, and dance-theater, offering an immersive experience that is both authentic and contemporary.
We also cultivate community beyond the studio, organizing carpools for dancers without transportation and ensuring accessibility for all.
Q: Can you share a fun fact or little-known detail about your nonprofit that would surprise people?
A: Nomad Tango has a “baby sister” in Buenos Aires! In July 2025, founder Alejandra Folguera opened La Carbonera, a live music and dance venue in San Telmo. It strengthens the artistic bridge between Argentina and the U.S., creating a flow of artists and ideas between both countries.
Since opening, La Carbonera has hosted more than 70 shows featuring leading artists from Buenos Aires’ vibrant cultural scene.
Q: Could you share a story or two about individuals whose lives have been positively impacted by your organization?
A: We work closely with seniors, many of whom face acute isolation. One regular participant, whose wife is living with Alzheimer’s, describes tango as his main source of warmth and social connection, despite his own mobility challenges.
Another participant—a survivor of a serious car accident—uses tango to rebuild body awareness and overcome PTSD. Tango’s emphasis on balance, grounding, and mindful connection has become a unique pathway to healing.
Click here to support Nomad Tango’s mission of preserving and promoting Argentine Tango in Santa Barbara County by fostering community connection, cultural education, and meaningful artistic experiences.
Check out Noozhawk’s Guide to Giving for a full list of nonprofits to donate to this giving season.
If you would like to include your nonprofit in our Good for Santa Barbara section and Giving Guide click HERE.