After a year of responding to COVID-related needs, The Towbes Foundation will be returning to our regular grant cycles with a narrowed focus. Our intention is to concentrate on our areas of expertise in order to make a more meaningful impact on our community with our available resources. The Towbes Foundation will continue grantmaking in two primary areas including (1) education, specifically early childhood, K-12th grade education, and the transition to college, and (2) mental health, specifically behavioral health and wellness programs focused on children, youth, families, and adults.

It is important to understand that The Towbes Foundation’s financial situation has significantly changed since the passing of Michael Towbes in 2017. Previously, all the grants were funded directly by Mr. Towbes through gifts of cash and appreciated stock. Currently, grants are primarily funded through distributions from commercial real estate partnerships. The commercial real estate market was hit hard by COVID, directly impacting our immediate revenue as well as the predictability of future cash flows. In addition, there are a number of complexities for private family foundations owning real estate that we are balancing as we continue to pursue our mission of strengthening the communities of Santa Barbara County.

Please review the eligibility and grant guidelines for more information about our grants moving forward.