FOUNDATION

In 1962, the Santa Barbara Rotary Charitable Foundation was established as a 501(c)3 organization to primarily support local projects in the Santa Barbara area.

Since 1987 the foundation has donated over 1.5 million dollars to over 120 organizations in support of programs designed to improve the quality of life for youth, seniors, and the disadvantaged.

We have also contributed to the vibrancy of the Santa Barbara community by helping to fund organizations that provide art, music, theater, school programs, and scholarships.

The Foundation is composed of all of the members of the Santa Barbara Rotary Club. We are governed by a nine member Board of Directors serving four year terms. A Grant Committee reviews grant applications and an Investment Committee oversees the Investment Fund.

APPLY FOR A GRANT

Charitable organizations which are 501(c)3 entities may seek a grant by filling out the Common Grant Application by clicking the Common Grant Application link below. Please note, to be considered for a grant, the request must be submitted via this application.
 
 
We are excited to announce that the application process for the 2024-25 grant cycle is now open! The Santa Barbara Rotary Charitable Foundation, with a proud history since 1962 and over $1.5 million donated to community projects, is seeking nominations for organizations that align with our focus areas in Education and Health & Human Services.
 
Grant Allocation for 2025: We will be awarding three grants, with amounts ranging from approximately $4,500 to $6,000 each.
 
Grant Focus Areas:
 
  • Education: Programs may include adult literacy, early childhood education, school-based initiatives, college preparation, and higher education scholarships.
  • Health & Human Services: Projects may include mental health care, healthcare services, disease research, addiction programs, and support for special populations such as the disabled, homeless, immigrants, seniors, women, youth development, and shelter/residential care.

Important Dates:
 
  • Application Opening Date: January 15, 2025
  • Deadline for Submission: February 20, 2025
  • Announcement Date: March 20, 2025
 
Application Process: Please include:
 
  • Completed Application Form
  • 501(C)(3) Certificate
  • Rotarian Nominator: If applicable, include the name of the Rotarian nominator and their connection to the organization.
  • Optional: Applicants may include a second page with additional support materials such as photos, testimonials, or relevant statistics.
 
Submission Details:
 
Email: Send to santabarbararotaryclub@gmail.com with "2025 Grant Application" as the subject.
 
Mail: Address to:
The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara
Attention: Foundation Grants Chair – Kathleen Blake
P.O. Box 6268, Santa Barbara, CA 93160

CLUB MEETINGS

First and third Friday of each month.
12:00 Noon PST
(See Calendar for schedule)

FOUNDATION DIRECTORS

Bob Fatch, Chair
Andrew Hicks, Assistant Chair
Donald Jack, Treasurer
Kathleen Blake, Secretary
Jim Stretchberry
Aruni Boteju
David Shea
Van Do-Reynoso
Jennifer LeMert, Club President Elect (Ex-Officio)
 
Foundation Committees
Finance Committee Chair: Andrew Hicks
Grants Committee Chair: Kathleen Blake

FUNDING SOURCES

The Foundation receives its funds from a number of sources
 
Club Members
  • Donate to the foundation quarterly by pledging monies through the Big Wheel
  • Make periodic additional donations through their own generosity or by participating in auctions or events.
  • Remember the foundation in their estate plans.
The Club Investment Fund
  • Was established by club members and continues to be supported by club members
  • Provides 4-5% of its three year average value to be used for annual granting.
Other Foundations
  • Donate money to our foundation to administer local grants for selected programs.
  • Appreciate that the club foundation may match their funds, does not have any overhead, and is composed of board members who are well connected in the community and can evaluate where donations have the greatest impact.
Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Circle Of Giving
 
The Circle of Giving recognizes club members who have decided to make generous donations either currently or postmortem over and above their quarterly Big Wheel gifts. Donations can be unrestricted or can be specified as an endowment with proper board approval.
 
Giving above the Big Wheel quarterly gifts was started in 1983 with a generous gift from Emil “Chief” Boessneck. In 1985 a second generous gift was received from Violet A. Singleton. Since then others have each donated more than $1,000 to the foundation to become “Life Members”. Earnings from these funds are used for the local needs of our local community.
 
Club members are recognized for their cumulative current giving at the following levels:
  • Silver Member $50 to $350
  • Gold Member $351 to $675
  • Platinum Member $676 to $999
  • Life Member $1,000 to $5,000
  • Gold Life Member $5,001 to $9,999
  • Platinum Life Member $10,000 and above
Those members remembering the Santa Barbara Rotary Charitable Foundation in their wills and trusts become members of The Rotary Foundation Legacy Society. Once the future bequest is received, a member is recognized at the levels indicated above.
Rotary Club members can also leave donations in another person’s name or in memorial for another person.

PAST RECIPIENTS

Page Stories
Foundation Grants 2023-24
During the 23-24 fiscal year, the Foundation awarded $20,500 to local organizations as follows:
 
 
Showers of Blessing $1,000
VNA Health Foundation  $1,500
World Dance for Humanity  $1,500
ShelterBox USA  $1,500
Page Youth Center  $1,500
Wilderness Youth Project  $1,500
Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center  $1,500
Ceylon International Film Festival  $1,500
Santa Barbara Education Foundation  $1,500
Santa Barbara Police Activities League  $1,500
San Marcos Kids Helping Kids Foundation  $1,500
Explore Ecology  $1,500
Marine Watchdogs  $1,500
Village Properties Teachers Fund  $1,500
 
Total – Local Grants  $20,500   
During the 2021-2022 fiscal year, total grants given totaled $24,700.  Grants were given to the following organizations:
 
  • Harding School
  • Meals on Wheels
  • Center for Successful Aging
  • Wilderness Youth Project
  • Storyteller Children’s Center
  • Police Assistance League
During the 2020-21 fiscal year, grants exceeding $25,000 were given to the following organizations:
  • Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center
  • Police Activity League (at-risk youths)
  • SEE International (glasses for kids)
  • Casa Serena (families, addiction, and mental health)
  • Santa Barbara County Education Foundation
  • Mayan Families
  • Rotary International Polio Plus Program
During the 2019-20 fiscal year, grants exceeding $30,000 were given to the following organizations:
  • Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara County
  • Santa Barbara County Food Bank
  • Therapeutic Riding Academy
  • SEE International
  • Natural History Museum
  • Teddy Bear Foundation
  • Mayan Families
  • Santa Barbara County Education Foundation
  • Rotary International Polio Plus Program

During the 2018-2019 fiscal year, grants exceeding $25,000 were given to the following organizations:

  • Therapeutic Riding Academy
  • Dyslexia Project
  • Museum of Natural History
  • Mayan Families
  • Rotary International Polio Plus Program
  • Santa Barbara County Education Foundation
  • Scholarships for Foster Youth