Carpinteria Children’s Project Awarded Santa Barbara Foundation Grant

New fund Provides Timely, Flexible General Operating Support to Nonprofits Experiencing Financial Disruptions and/or Increased Demand for Services in Santa Barbara County

Carpinteria Children’s Project (CCP) was awarded a grant through the Santa Barbara Foundation’s Critical Needs Response Fund (CNRF), a newly created program supporting nonprofits delivering essential services. At Carpinteria Children’s Project, funds will be applied to assisting local immigrant families with support like grocery deliveries, essential supplies and other emerging needs. 

“We are so grateful that the Santa Barbara Foundation chose to fund critical needs like those we are seeing in the Carpinteria community,” said Teresa Alvarez, CCP Executive Director. “Families have been torn apart and caused to live in fear. This funding will allow us to continue to meet increased demand for the basic assistance that is so desperately needed.” 

With the new grant, CCP will hire a part-time volunteer coordinator to identify community needs and appropriately direct volunteers and services. Since ICE began patrolling local streets in July, CCP has expanded services to monitor the needs of local families and operate as a volunteer hub to collect donations and organize assistance efforts. 

The Critical Needs Response Fund was created in response to the emerging overwhelming needs in the nonprofit community. It offers short-term, timely support to nonprofit organizations with the goal of providing flexible resources that help organizations adapt, respond, and remain resilient in a shifting landscape. 

Liz Thasiah, Vice President of Programs at the Santa Barbara Foundation, reiterated the organization’s desire to provide support in times of crisis. “The Santa Barbara Foundation serves as a community convener, advocate, and philanthropic first responder to ensure our region is prepared and equipped to effectively respond to challenges.”

“We believe that the Carpinteria community is only as strong as its families and households, so right now, those of us who can provide strength and support should do so. The volunteer support and funding we continue to receive are making a difference,” Alvarez said. “Everyone deserves to feel safe and have their basic needs met.” 

About Carpinteria Children’s Project

Carpinteria Children’s Project operates two core programs — Early Childhood Education and the Family Resource Center — highlighting the importance and intersection of Early Learning and Family Services in providing lifelong opportunities for Carpinteria children and families. 

About Santa Barbara Foundation 

Founded in 1928, the Santa Barbara Foundation actively connects donors, nonprofits, government, businesses and the people of Santa Barbara County to take on the region’s communities’ most challenging needs. Recognizing that its work depends on the strength of the social sector, the Foundation is committed to the health and vitality of local nonprofits. Knowing that together we can do more, the Foundation mobilizes charitable giving and connects their

expertise to that of donors, nonprofits, and residents to create meaningful impact on the communities of our county. SBFoundation.org. 

About SBF’s Critical Needs Response Fund

Santa Barbara Foundation launched in September 2025 the Critical Needs Response Fund to provide support to Santa Barbara County nonprofits experiencing funding disruptions due to public funding or policy shifts and/or increased demand for services. This responsive grant opportunity is unrestricted funding and is designed to provide timely, flexible support to help local organizations continue delivering essential services such as food, housing, healthcare, safety, or immigration-related support and strengthen their capacity to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. More information available at Critical Needs Response Fund – Santa Barbara Foundation.