Following are fast facts about the SBCC Foundation—please follow the links below underlined in blue for more detailed information about each topic. Download PDF of SBCC Foundation Fast Facts. (Updated: January 3, 2024)

The SBCC Foundation’s Mission:

The SBCC Foundation fuels the excellence of Santa Barbara City College by engaging the community, building relationships, and inviting the generosity of donors. The resources raised and managed by the Foundation enrich college programs, remove barriers, and empower students to succeed.

SBCC Foundation Financial Overview

Approximate Annual Distributions: $5 million to college students, including:

      • $2.4 million for SBCC Promise
      • $1.1 million in scholarships and book grants
      • $1.5 million for student support programs

Net Assets: $84,099,234 as of June 30, 2023 (audited)

Approximate Annual Operating Budget: $2.6 million

SBCC Foundation Programs

The SBCC Foundation runs two primary programs in addition to funding dozens of college programs and departments. The Foundation-led programs are:

SBCC Promise

      • Offers all recent, local high school graduates the opportunity to attend SBCC full-time at no cost
      • Covers all required fees, books, and supplies for up to two years
      • Launched in 2016 – more than 7,000 students have participated so far
      • Relies entirely on private support
      • Role model for other community colleges, nationally recognized

Scholarships &. Book Grants

      • Over $1 million in scholarships and book grants annually to SBCC students
      • Approximately 750 scholarships provided in all areas of study 

College Programs Supported by the SBCC Foundation

The SBCC Foundation provides support for dozens of college programs and departments. Among the highest profile are:

Summer Bridge Programs – These 6-week summer bridge programs offer intensive wrap-around support and help students transition to college:

      • Running Start assists local high school graduates by providing tutoring, peer mentoring, and financial assistance before college
      • SPARC (Single Parents Arriving Ready for College) assists single parents entering college
      • Transitions (recently renamed “Rising Scholars”) assists formerly incarcerated individuals transition successfully to college

Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Established with an estate gift from Jim Scheinfeld in 2007, the Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship at SBCC offers entrepreneur development, mentoring, and study programs as well as hosting multiple pitch competitions.

School of Nursing

In partnership with Cottage Health along with dozens of individual donors, the SBCC Foundation provides SBCC’s School of Nursing with program support, scholarships for students, and incentives for graduates to seek employment locally.

Luria Library

With the longstanding support of the Luria family, the SBCC Foundation offers resources for the library to hire a Resident Librarian, stay open longer for students, and more.

Theatre Group at SBCC

The SBCC Foundation sponsors each season of the Theatre Group, allowing the department to take on more ambitious productions.

SBCC Foundation Donor Programs

Grant-writing Highlights

      • 25+ competitive grants awarded each year from foundation, corporate, state, and/or federal funders, totaling $250,000-500,000 in annual revenue
      • Majority of grant funding supports the SBCC Promise, EOPS programs, Atkinson Gallery, SBCC Dance Collective, SBCC Music, and a variety of student basic needs programs.
      • Recent highlights include an EPA Environmental Education Grant (2020-2023) and Getty Foundation Pacific Standard Time Exhibition Planning Grant (2020-2023)

SBCC Foundation history, structure and governance

      • Established in 1976
      • An independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
      • Sole nonprofit vehicle for individuals and organizations to invest in SBCC and its students
      • Currently 15 staff members and 20 board members (14 volunteers + 6 ex officio)

Foundation Awards & Recognition

College Data, Awards & Recognition

      • The college maintains a web page – SBCC Facts – with updated enrollment data, demographics and other metrics.
      • Santa Barbara City College is widely recognized as one of the nation’s best community colleges. See a list of recent SBCC awards and recognition.

Current Trends

      • Community college philanthropy is relatively recent and emergent compared to that of four-year institutions – only 5% of private giving to higher education in the U.S. goes to community colleges each year, despite the fact that 50% of all college students attend community colleges
      • SBCC is looking to upgrade old facilities with a bond measure in 2024
      • Student and faculty housing are an emerging priority

"By offering financial support to SBCC students, we help them dream bigger, achieve more, and go further. Our gift to the SBCC Foundation is an investment in the power of education to change lives and strengthen our community."

- Carrie Towbes, PhD, President, The Towbes Foundation