2021 Year End Newsletter - The FUND

JANUARY 2021

2021 YEAR END

NEWSLETTER

The second half of 2021 kept us busy.

As I reflect on the work that The Fund for Santa Barbara carried out in the second half of 2021, I can’t help but feel immense pride in all we were able to accomplish. We have collectively learned to adapt to the challenges of living through an on-going global pandemic that has amplified the importance of our work. In the latter half of 2021 we: released our rebrand, reimagined our website, gathered together (safely) in person for Bread & Roses, launched the Regional Equity Study Initiative, and continued to navigate the Grantmaking process in innovative ways, to name a few important things. These accomplishments are foundational to our future successes, and we enter a new year with reinvigorated dedication to advancing progressive change by strengthening movements for Economic, Environmental, Political, Racial, and Social Justice.

These are truly transformative times and we know that there is much work that lies ahead in the continued struggle to create a more just, sustainable, and equitable future. The work of The FUND is only possible due to the fierce dedication of our talented staff, the leadership of our Board of Directors, the vision of our activist-led Grant Making Committee, our trailblazing Youth Making Change cohorts, the enduring support of our donors, the foundations that sustain us, and the critical work of our grantees and partner organizations.

Below I invite you to learn about the work that we carried out in the second half of 2021.

In Solidarity,

Marcos Vargas, PhD Executive Director

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A New Look Our Rebrand was revealed in October! Years in the making, what initially began as a renaming process evolved into a further embracing of “The FUND," and a pivot to capture the essence of our work through our branding. We hold a tremendous amount of gratitude for our dear friend, Jenny VanSeters, who poured an immense amount of time and talent into creating a new logo and brand that we feel wholly captures the spirit of The FUND, and beautifully speaks to our mission of advancing progressive change by strengthening movements for Economic, Environmental, Political, Racial, and Social Justice.

Our new logo evokes the spirit of an intersectional community drawn to working together to bring about progressive change. There is a magnetism pulling the elements within the mark together— they gravitate towards one other while maintaining individual identities. The sphere shapes are all of equal size, and consist of five colors —each representative of The FUND’s five focus areas of justice.

As part of the rebrand we also introduced a new Youth Making Change logo. The logo denotes action — conveying the importance and necessity of youth leadership at the forefront of movements for social change. As part of the design concept, Jenny VanSeters met with our Youth Making Change facilitators to draw inspiration from their experience and perspective.

Along with our rebrand came the launch of our new and reimagined website! Our new website allows for our work to be communicated and engaged with in a manner that will not only benefit us, but also the groups that we serve. Thank you to the wonderful team at for partnering with us through this process and creating a website that we feel proud of.

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Grant Making 2021 Fall General Grants: $77,500 Committee for Social Justice / Outreach and education to the Homeless – $7,000 Funding will support continued efforts to empower unhoused community members in Santa Barbara county through education and outreach efforts.

Environmental Defense Center / Protecting Drinking Water for the Communities Surrounding Cat Canyon – $10,000 Funds will cover the cost of staff time for legal research and support coalition work with partners to enhance community engagement in the effort to prevent approval of the Cat Canyon Aquifer Exemption, thereby preventing irreparable, unmitigated damage to drinking water, and public health for surrounding communities.

Gateway Educational Services (GES) / Uplifting Leaders of Color – $10,000 Funds will be used to support leadership development and civic engagement for Black/African American youth ages 13-20 and nonprofit leaders and aspiring leaders of color in Santa Barbara County.

Martin Luther King Jr., Day Celebration Committee / Community of Multicultural Gathering – $4,500 Funds will cover the cost of the Community of Multicultural Gathering event. The program celebrates the life and contributions of Dr. King and includes participation from civic and social organizations as well as community members from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Pacific Pride Foundation, Inc. / General Operating Support – $10,000 Funding will support continued efforts to advocate for rights, visibility, and wellness for LGBTQ+ and HIVimpacted communities in Santa Barbara County.

Santa Barbara County Action Network / Youth Arts Alive – $10,000 Funding will support costs associated with expanding advocacy and coordination efforts for free arts education in Santa Maria’s most economically challenged neighborhoods.

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network / Santa Barbara County Food System Resilience Through Advocacy and Coalition Building – $10,000 Funds will support implementation of food systems advocacy at the federal, state and county level. This includes advocating for: the passing of the Farm System Reform Act, diversity, equity inclusion, and justice in USDA grant programs, and more federal funding for low income and small tier food producers to increase funding and beneficial legislation for small and mid tier farmers in Santa Barbara County.

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Santa Barbara Response Network / SBRN Fostering Mental Health Systemic Shift in Marginalized Community Agencies – $10,000 Funds will cover the cost for SBRN’s support to establish systemic change within four local nonprofit organizations by implementing their own healing and wellness modalities for long-term change.

University of California, Santa Barbara – Underground Scholars / Gaucho Underground Scholars – Ambassador Program – $6,000 Funds will be used to train formerly incarcerated students to build support structures on local community college campuses, while providing leadership development to the Ambassadors.

2021 Multi-Year Grants: $90,000 CAUSE Action Fund – $10,000 (annually in 2021, 2022, 2023) Funding will support staffing for the Just Leadership Institute, ensure a representative redistricting process, convening North County Coalition, and holding annual meetings with elected officials.

Just Communities – $10,000 (annually in 2021, 2022, 2023) Funds will expand Youth Organizing capacity by hiring a part-time Youth Organizer to work alongside youth in programs advancing social change efforts.

Santa Barbara County Action Network (SBCAN) – $10,000 (annually in 2021, 2022, 2023) In the next three years, SBCAN plans to lead or support efforts to increase affordable housing, reinforce tenant protections, reinvest funds from the Sheriff’s budget into community-led public safety programs, advocate a living wage for all workers, work on local Green New Deal projects and Santa Maria Valley watershed issues.

Fall Grants Regional Distribution

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FUND's Emerging Need Grants Emerging The Program responds to organizing efforts Needs Grants that need immediate financial assistance North Santa Barbara Manufactured Homeowners Team (NSBMHT) Community Bridge Project / Rent Stabilization Ordinance – $4,000 (September 2021) Funds to pay legal fees for Ordinance review, negotiations with Santa Maria City Attorney & Council, expert witness testimony, defense from lawsuits, and related costs.

Children & Family Resource Services/ Santa Maria Women’s Health Equity Initiative: Promotores Network collaboration – $5,000 (December 2021) Stipends for Promotores to attend a UCSB class; pay Promotora coordinator’s salary; provide gift cards for community participants and obtain/develop low-literacy education resources needed.

Sponsorships CAUSE Action Fund / Leadership Awards Reception (August 2021) Planned Parenthood Action Fund / Politics, Sex, and Cocktails (September 2021) Housing Day Santa Barbara (October, 2021) MICOP / Night in Oaxaca (October 2021) Women’s March Santa Barbara / Defense of Reproductive Rights (October 2021) Transitions Mental Health / Healing Diverse Communities (November 2021)

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North County Board Jasmin Olivera, Facilitator Carlos Gonzalez, Facilitator Andrea Cuevas Allie Cabiles Angel Gonzalez Cesar Vasquez Daniela Cayetano Danna Hernandez Deisy Mendez Damarie Diel Harry Mullin Jade Espinoza Jamielynne Lomibao Litzy Bautista Cruz Mickayla Piñon Ray-Ar Ramos Susana Espinoza Zimin He

Our new Youth Making Change Cohorts kicked off the YMC year in July with an in-person, county wide training retreat. Paying close attention to state and local health guidelines and recommendations, both YMC boards have carried out their cycles in a hybrid manner. In December, North and South County cohorts worked diligently to formulate funding recommendations at their respective Decision Making Days.

Next up: YMC facilitators will present funding recommendations to The FUND’s Board of Directors!

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South County Board Clare Schneider, Facilitator Margherita Scussat, Facilitator Allegra Cullen Anna Lucia Muñoz Awan Haj Christy Guerrero Jimenez Dawson Kelly Florence Wang Gabriele Scussat Halie Bissell Jocelyn Pacheco Morales Kavya Suresh Kim Mendoza Lorenzo Lara Diesel Huerta Norah Ferguson Sophie Borden Sophie Suh Victoria Leyva

Central Coast Regional Equity Study Released in December of 2021, The Central Coast Regional Equity Study marks a critical first step toward initiating and framing equity-centered conversations in policy advocacy and community organizing, with research and analysis of equity indicators related to the social, economic, civic, and environmental well-being of our rapidly diversifying Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties region. Guided by a transformative vision rooted in equity, sustainability, and justice, together with UCSB Blum Center on Poverty, Inequality, and Democracy and the USC Equity Research Institute, we Just and Equitable Central Coast offer this initiative’s first report, Towards owards aa Just Coast, with the hope that it serves as a starting point for discussion about the region’s racial, economic, environmental, and political inequities.

Read The Study Here

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To celebrate the launch of the Central Coast Regional Equity study, we, along with the UCSB Blum Center on Poverty, Inequality, and Democracy and the USC Equity Research Institute, held a small in person presentation that was live-streamed online.

The event featured a presentation and discussion of key findings from the study.

Leading the discussion were Dr. Alice O’Connor (UCSB Blum Center on Poverty, Inequality, and Democracy), Dr. Manuel Pastor (USC Equity Research Institute), and The FUND’s Executive Director, Dr. Marcos Vargas.

We hold so much appreciation for the core group that made this study possible. We’d especially like to thank Dr. Alice O’Connor (UCSB Blum Center on Poverty, Inequality, and Democracy) for her leadership and vision toward making this first report possible.

Learn More:

This is just the beginning, another world is possible!

View Live-Streamed Presentation 8

Central Coast Regional Equity Study Team, Pictured (from left to right): Kathleen Knight, Peyton Bivona, Isaac Hale, Dr. Marcos Vargas, Dr. Alice O'Connor, Dr. Manuel Pastor, Amanda Brush, Stanley Tzankov, Rebecca Bogdanovic

Building Capacity

Additional Collaborations:

Santa Maria & Lompoc Activist Brown Bag Lunches (online)

Central Coast Climate Justice Network Central Coast Immigration Network Foothills Forever Leadership Council Latinx & Indigenous Migrant COVID-19 Response Task Force Lompoc Prison Task Force Regional Capacity Building Collaborative Santa Barbara Foundation Roundtable Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties Funders Forum In the second half of 2021, we held 6 monthly Lompoc & Santa Maria Valley Activist Brown Bag Lunches— an open and informal space for activists, advocates and organizers to learn from one another and share about our work building more just communities locally while nurturing North County’s social change ecosystem.

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On October 24th, 2021 we celebrated the 28th annual Bread & Roses together, safely, in community! After 2020's completely virtual event, 2021 marked a return to in-person celebrations and the first year that Bread & Roses was held at Elings Park. In order to do our best to ensure safety, all guests were required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and follow guidelines for “mask zones.”

For their enduring community activism and leadership, Nancy Weiss and Marc Chytilo received the Nancy Alexander Founder’s Award, and Juliana Neel received the Firebrand Award for her youth leadership. The event was co-hosted by Gloria Soto and Pastor David Moore, and Spencer the Gardener and DJ Suz graced the crowd with their musical talents.

Thanks to the support of our incredible sponsors, committed donors, cherished volunteers and guests, AND our brilliant auctioneer Geoff Green—we raised over $160,000 to sustain our work! We hold so much gratitude and appreciation for all those who made our 28th annual Bread & Roses a success.

View 2021 B&R Image Gallery

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Many Thanks to our Generous Sponsors!

Hutton Parker Foundation Santa Barbara Foundation Santa Barbara Independent KCRW SAGE Publications Inc. SBCC Foundation UFCW 770 Boston Trust Walden Pacific Premier Bank Mullen & Henzell L.L.P. LOACOM Allan Hancock College Cottage Health Fielding Graduate University SEIU Local 721 SEIU Local 620 Future Leaders of America Pacifica Graduate Institute McCune Foundation Mechanics Bank MICOP Lucidity Collaborative Events People’s Self-Help Housing

Planned Parenthood California Central Coast

UDW / AFSCME Local 3930 Sweep Jenny Van Seters eji experiences

Voices Translation and Interpreting Services

Food & Beverage

Au Bon Climat Buttonwood Farm Winery Charcuter’Dee and Fromagerie Draughtsmen Aleworks Dune Coffee Roasters Fiddlehead Cellars Flying Goat Cellars Industrial Eats Institution Ale Company Gainey Vineyard Los Harvest Boys Miller Family Wine Company Municipal Winemakers Ojai Rotie Opal Restaurant & Bar Patrick and Donna Will Santa Barbara Cider Co. Seagrape Wine Company Topo Chico

Staff Updates Additions: Kathleen Knight joined The FUND as Capacity Building Manager in October. Kathleen is driven to help create a more just and sustainable world rooted in compassion and recognition of our interconnectedness, which is heavily influenced by her background as a tropical conservation scientist and community activist. An avid traveller, she is influenced by different cultures and peoples when working collaboratively to create foundational change that is as diverse as the world we hope to create. Kathleen is looking forward to strengthening The FUND's Capacity Building Program and moving forward the Central Coast Regional Equity Initiative.

Departures:

After four years on staff Operations Supervisor, Hugo Valdovinos, left The FUND in December in order to pursue a long held desire to explore the world and travel. In Hugo's own words: "Through my various roles at The FUND, I got to work on making that social change a reality and learned firsthand how crucial it is to have community activists with knowledge of the issues affecting our community make the funding decisions. I will miss working and being part of a team dedicated to helping tackle the issues affecting Santa Barbara County but I know I will take what I’ve learned and apply it in any future position I have."

Administrative Assistant, Lennea Lopez, left The FUND in December in order to begin a new adventure in the Bay Area. Lennea joined the team last November (2020), and has played an important role in supporting all departments.

From Lennea: "This organization and its team quickly became a safe space for me to grow both personally and professionally as a recent college graduate passionate about equity and justice. While my time with The FUND was transitional in nature, my experience with the organization will have a lasting impact on my ever-evolving world view. "

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In Loving Remembrance All who knew Kate Adams were filled with deep sorrow upon learning about her passing in September.

Kate was a FUND family member for over 10 years, serving for 6 years on the Grant Making Committee and most recently as a current board member. The impact of her presence, wisdom, and humor, along with her passionate support of the “joyous struggle” will be sorely missed by all who had the good fortune of knowing and working with her.

As beautifully put by Ted Rhodes,

"Kate Adams leaves an incredibly loud silence in her wake. A silence full of energy, activism, guts, insatiable curiosity, humor, compassion, and hope for creating a better world. A silence full of thoughtful premises, probing questions, and a love of the written word–metaphors, similes, Oxford commas, and all. " Rest in Peace and Power dear Kate - thank you for everything.

THANK YOU TO OUR INCREDIBLE TEAM! Board of Directors Rev. Julia Hamilton - President Kate Adams - Vice President in memoriam David Landecker - Vice President Marsha Bailey - Treasurer Jennifer Hooten - Secretary Susan Wax - Board Liaison to GMC Suzanne Valery - GMC Liaison to Board Ruth Ackerman Maria Garcia-Cacique Eric Cardenas Diane Fujino Chelsea Lancaster LeeAnne McNulty Andrew Oman David Pellow Erica Reyes Ted Rhodes Gloria Soto John Steed Donna Will

1219 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Mailing: PO Box 90710 Santa Barbara, CA 93190-0710 120 E. Jones Street, Suite 110, Santa Maria, CA 93454 Santa Barbara: 805-962-9164 | Santa Maria: 805-922-1707

Grant Making Committee Feliciano Aguilar - Co-Chair Rachel Johnson - Co-Chair Suzanne Valery - GMC Liaison to Board Susan Wax - Board Liaison to GMC

Lupita Cervantes Jessica Duarte JP Herrada Lawanda Lyons-Pruitt Jennifer Navarro Bailey Needham Juliana Neel Wendi Pacheco Lucerito Salgado Vickey Smith Bob Thiel Chuy Valle

Staff Marcos Vargas - Executive Director Patricia Solorio - Associate Director Kristin Hsu - Development Associate Alina Rey Keswani - Development & Communications Manager Kathleen Knight, Capacity Building Manager Lennea Lopez - Administrative Assistant David Melendrez - YMC Coordinator Tania Reyes - Grants Associate Hugo Valdovinos - Operations Supervisor

Interns Nancy Avoce Peyton Bivona Amber Chapman Marisol Ramirez Photography by Abel Rico

Stay connected:

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