One of Santa Barbara’s longest-running community-organized festivals, our Earth Day celebration is also one of the oldest in the country, and among the largest on the West Coast. Santa Barbara is widely acknowledged as the birthplace of Earth Day, as it was the infamous 1969 oil well blowout that kickstarted the U.S. environmental movement into high gear. At the time, the spill was the largest in the nation’s history, a disaster that spewed more than [...more...]
Santa Barbara Humane, founded in 1887, was one of the first animal welfare agencies in the country, opening nearly seven decades before the national organization began. Even though Santa Barbara Humane has been around for [...more...]
Giving List Matching Challenges
Youth Development
“I think our youngest client this year was 10 years old. Sadly, the age has been skewing lower. Three or […more…]
Throughout its history, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art has been bringing people of all ages through a broad array […more…]
It might seem disingenuous to employ the expression “a blessing in disguise” when it comes to Covid. But the truth […more…]
The Arts
UCSB Arts & Lectures’ fall season was one for the ages, with enviable events throughout the breadth of its programming. […more…]
There are any number of terrific organizations that create, produce, present, or import arts and entertainment events in Santa Barbara. […more…]
Who are we? The Visual Arts and Design Academy (VADA) at Santa Barbara High School is a unique “school within […more…]
Social Justice
Blind Lady Justice’s proffered balance scales make an eternal and sacrosanct point: Everyone is equal before the law and will […more…]
On a recent morning at Holocaust Museum LA (HMLA), Betsy, a docent, was leading a tour group of 20 LA […more…]
The Fund for Santa Barbara’s powerful catchphrase is: “Change, not charity.” In the spring of 1980, a group of Santa […more…]
Homelessness & Housing
New Beginnings’ Safe Parking program turned 20 earlier this year, a milestone you need to celebrate. On the other hand, […more…]
New Beginnings has an ambitious and lofty goal for 2025: ending veteran homelessness in Santa Barbara County. It’s not a […more…]
Global Reach
In November 2022, a tornado tore through Idabel, Oklahoma, demolishing dozens of buildings, including the Kiamichi Family Medical Center. It’s […more…]
In the wake of Maui’s tragic 2023 wildfires, relief organizations and the goodwill of the world at large poured into […more…]
More than one billion people worldwide live with treatable vision loss due to a lack of quality eye care. While […more…]
Giving Paws
In the wake of Maui’s tragic 2023 wildfires, relief organizations and the goodwill of the world at large poured into […more…]
Santa Barbara Humane, founded in 1887, was one of the first animal welfare agencies in the country, opening nearly seven […more…]
Foster Care
“With Wayfinder, we don’t feel like my son has a disability. We feel like everyone else.” This is the gift […more…]
When Gina was preparing to adopt a baby girl, she experienced a rush of thrilling emotions that comes with going […more…]
For the Children
When Gina was preparing to adopt a baby girl, she experienced a rush of thrilling emotions that comes with going […more…]
Seniors experiencing depression or related mental health challenges have a new resource to help them retain their independence and improve […more…]
Santa Barbara Ritecare Language Center is now accepting applications to this summer’s Camp Chit Chat! Follow this link to apply! […more…]
Family Well-Being
Marialena, 73, suffered an incredible loss when her husband passed away several years ago. She spoke little English, had little […more…]
Hospice of Santa Barbara Provides Support, Insights, and Tips to Help Children Cope After Loss Eight-year-old Sam started going to […more…]
Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara County, also known as Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center and Guadalupe’s […more…]
Environment
One of the most iconic public gardens in the world, Lotusland is a 37-acre wonderland of more than 20 distinct […more…]
At a moment when news about the fate of the Earth may seem apocalyptic, White Buffalo Land Trust is providing […more…]
In every great city is a community park that serves as its beating heart. Elings Park in Santa Barbara has […more…]
Education
It might seem disingenuous to employ the expression “a blessing in disguise” when it comes to Covid. But the truth […more…]
One of the most iconic public gardens in the world, Lotusland is a 37-acre wonderland of more than 20 distinct […more…]
The Community Farm is surely the jewel in the crown of communal self-reliance. Here we have a plot of food-producing […more…]
Community Treasures
Victoria and Bill Strong brought their baby home with that mix of gratitude and indescribable joy – the heart-squeezing hallmarks […more…]
In every great city is a community park that serves as its beating heart. Elings Park in Santa Barbara has […more…]
The California Missions matter. Historic preservation keeps alive our history and it allows us to remember the stories and experiences […more…]
Community Resilience
Seniors experiencing depression or related mental health challenges have a new resource to help them retain their independence and improve […more…]
At a moment when news about the fate of the Earth may seem apocalyptic, White Buffalo Land Trust is providing […more…]
In the wake of Maui’s tragic 2023 wildfires, relief organizations and the goodwill of the world at large poured into […more…]
Advocacy
Hillside Santa Barbara is hosting two upcoming events so start marking those calendars! On April 6th, Hillside will be hosting […more…]
Anyone who has ever watched a police drama on television in the last 50 years is familiar with the fact […more…]
Blind Lady Justice’s proffered balance scales make an eternal and sacrosanct point: Everyone is equal before the law and will […more…]