Before You Apply

Eligibility

501(c)(3) Status

Grant applications must be from 501(c)(3) charitable organizations.

Capital Improvement

We dedicate our funds to capital improvements within our South Coast infrastructure, encompassing areas from Carpinteria, Summerland, and Montecito in the east, to the City of Santa Barbara, the City of Goleta, and Isla Vista in the west. We seek tangible enhancements that will benefit our community for years to come.

Funding Categories

Please limit your application to capital grants for youth, education, health, community, recreation and the arts.

How to Apply

Upon confirmation that you meet the eligibility requirements described above, we invite you to apply using the steps below:

1. Click the “Sign In/Apply” button at the top right
2. Create a Login for your Application Portal so you can return to it at any time
3. Proceed through the guided steps of the online application at your own pace

Tips for Success

1. Determine Whether You’re Eligible:  As a threshold, please determine from our Eligibility criteria above whether your request qualifies.
2. Research Thoroughly: Please understand our mission, values, and funding priorities by reading our Mission Statement, History, What We Fund, Before You Apply, and FAQs. Then align your proposal closely.
3. Give Us Project Information: We want to see your project completed promptly and in service to our community! We therefore like costs, bids, timelines and photos. When you can, please outline your total hard and soft costs, the timing of any building permits, and your construction deadlines. We appreciate photos of the existing condition, and copies of any contractor or vendor bids, if applicable.
4. Paying for the Entire Request: If we’re not providing all of the funding for the project, please let us know how you intend to pay for its completion.
5. Focus on Impact: Describe how your capital request will make a meaningful long-term difference to our community—you will increase your chances of securing our funding.
6. Review and Revise: We appreciate not having to contact you unnecessarily with additional questions. Please carefully review that all the information in your application is accurate and up-to-date. Invite collaborators into your online application for multiple reviews.
7. Submit Early: If you submit well before our final September 15 deadline, we’ll be able to request clarifications if necessary.
8. Don’t Miss the Deadline: Our application period ends at midnight on September 15. Please be sure to finalize all details by then.

Thank you for considering an application and for what you do for our community!