Santa Barbara is quite the town. We have our beaches, we have our mountains, but what some of us may not know, is that we also have quite the epicenter of nonprofit work for being such a small size.
Santa Barbara is home base to approximately 600 nonprofit organizations and 900 social and cultural programs, and is unofficially considered home to more nonprofits per capita than any other locale in the United States.
The Santa Barbara Foundation is one of the 50 oldest community foundations in the United States. So this month, we here at Tinta Latina decided to compile a list of some of the best and most impacting nonprofits in our backyard.

This list is by no means comprehensive, just the ones we’d like to shed some light on.


Lobero Theater
“We hope to level the playing field, so everyone has opportunities for cultural education and artistic experience.” –David Asbell, Executive Director of the Lobero Theatre FoundationThe growing need for youth services is a prevalent issue in youth education, and the Lobero Theatre is addressing it.

The Lobero Youth Outreach and Education Programs provide innovative and engaging theatre arts education to students of all cultural heritages, ages and abilities.
“We strive to help students develop their voices, bodies, and imaginations by teaching performance skills which help them to grow as artists and people,” says Asbell.

Still, the Lobero Theatre Foundation is a nonprofit and as keenly aware of its fundraising needs. The have so far kept ahead of the game by diligently hosting events and cultivating funds on various levels that keep with their goals of providing artistically superior classical and contemporary performances and programs.

Asbell is proud of the majestic theatre and committed to taking care of this important site. “We are stewards of this great building,” he says. “It is our job to maintain the structure and function of this building in order to offer the outstanding entertainment that is the dance, music and theatrical arts that the Santa Barbara community loves.” We trust they will deliver more incredible works of art, and we encourage everyone to attend a show at the Lobero Theatre.

Thank you David, for directing the Lobero Theatre Foundation!


CASA
CASA is a name you might be familiar with. It stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates.

These volunteers are the noble men and women who take it upon themselves to usher children who have been removed from their primary care provider by the city, for whatever reason, into the protective arms of a better life.

This doesn’t simply mean a foster home, but rather a permanent, stable environment where the child can recouperate from the trauma they’ve sustained.

Approximately 80,000 children live in foster care in California. The average California attorney representing these children is assigned approximately 200 clients.

With such staggering numbers pitted against them, CASA does what it can to recruit people like you and me to help steward these youngsters away from the perpetually changing foster home. They have set an ambitious fund-raising budget of $1.3 million to help aid them in their struggle.
To find out how to help, please call (805) 879- 1735


The Cancer Center of Santa Barbara
The Cancer Center of Santa Barbara was founded in 1949 and has, for almost sixty years now, served the community through scientific research, clinical trials of new drugs and treatments, and wellness programs.
The Cancer Center of Santa Barbara helps its patients by connecting them with financial resources to aid those with insufficient funds; as well as providing a wig closet for those suffering from the hair-loss effects of therapy, support groups, and a clean and peaceful cancer library with up-to-date books and periodicals on all things cancer related. There is also a wellness program where patients can paint, receive nutritional counseling, and perform yoga among other things that representative Jackie Goodman says, “helps people with cancer say ‘Yes’ to life, instead of being stuck with the overwhelming feeling of ‘No’ that cancer sometimes leaves instilled in its sufferers.”

The Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara is currently in the process of looking at cooperative ways to share large and expensive equipment purchases with Cottage Hospital. Which, through charitable donations of readers like you, are making exciting new machines like The Cancer Center’s positron emissions tomography (PET) scanner become available in the Santa Barbara area.


Alzheimer’s Association
Caring and curing is what the Alzheimer’s Association (AA) is all about, hence their Care and Cure campaign. A non-profit agency since 1980, AA has provided 27 years of service to families affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

Loretta Redd, Executive Director of the Central Coast Chapter, is dedicated to the cause and is an expert in the subject of Alzheimer’s: “Alzheimer’s is a disease that attacks the brain and causes problems in memory, thoughts and behavior. The victims of the disease need to be shielded from harm - the devastation is like a circle back to childhood,” explains Redd.

Number one goal in the “Care and Cure” campaign is education. They provide a 24-hour hotline in 27 languages (1 800 272-3900) for any questions and concerns, and www.alz.org is a constantly updated website. They provide information and facts on the disease, signs to watch for, and support for families of sufferers. Resources include training for family and professional caregivers of Alzheimer patients, support groups and plenty of encouragement that they are not alone in their struggle.

Number two goal is research, research and more research. “Modern science is improving medications as well as hope for a cure,” says Redd. In addition to drug therapy, the Healthy Brain Initiative (a program of AA) encourages a good diet and mental exercise, like puzzles, or learning a new language.

Alzheimer’s disease is growing in the Latino population. “One in eight persons of Latino origin are contracting the disease,” Redd explains. “Age is a factor, yet normal aging does not always include memory loss.” Other possibilities for memory loss can be “abuse of drugs or alcohol, severe depression, bad nutrition, thyroid issues, hits to the head, tumors, infections, high fever, and or dehydration.” It is important to diagnose any condition immediately so proper care and healing for the entire family can begin.

Check out 1-800-272-3900 and ALZ.ORG.
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DRI
Founded in 1948, Direct Relief International is perhaps the single greatest testament to Santa Barbara’s beneficent nature. Established shortly after the end of WWII in order to help aid the victims of war-torn countries, DRI (located just off the 101 by Fairview and Hollister) is now a juggernaut of aid for any in need of medical supplies, Direct Relief International (DRI) responds to both foreign and domestic crises. They work in over 56 countries around the world, and in 2006 responded with over $200 million in aid.

Being this prolific a non-profit, DRI has its own obstacles to overcome. Aided by generous donations from various medical suppliers and from cash donations from the general public, DRI makes it work year after year; due in large part through carefully established criteria for deployment of aid, which best serves the countries that need the aid most.
In 2006, Forbes Magazine rated DRI 100% efficient in fundraising for a fifth straight year.


The Santa Barbara Unity Shoppe
The Santa Barbara Unity Shoppe is located on 1219 State Street across from the Granada Theatre. Most Santa Barbarans know that this little shop is where to go to buy household goods that are new or slightly used, and proceeds go to a charity.

What most Santa Barbarans don’t know is the extent to which those proceeds extend.

By supplying clothing and groceries to underprivileged people, the Unity Shoppe does Santa Barbara a great service.
“47% of those helped are single parents with limited funds,” Says Executive Director Thomas Reed, “and by supplying these things, we can prevent homelessness and welfare activity.”

The Unity Shoppe has established a system to prevent duplicity or repeat customers to better serve those that truly need the assistance. There are currently 260 agencies that send roughly 15000 people to the Unity Shoppe in Santa Barbara County alone. Those numbers can be staggering - especially for a little nonprofit that does all its own fundraising.To help their cause go to www.unityshoppe.org


Santa Barbara County Bowl
What can be said about our beloved Santa Barbara County Bowl? The natural ampitheter home to the biggest names that come to Santa Barbara has been graced with the numerous top-tier bands and omnipresent music artists and is loved by all. Its natural beauty and acoustics make the Bowl a prime venue for any would-be band. So why would we group it with our other nonprofits? Because the County Bowl itself is technically a nonprofit.
The Santa Barbara County Bowl was first established in 1936 by Roosevelt’s Works Project Association and run from that-point-on by our Old Spanish Days Fiesta Association; until, in in 1994, the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation got the lease from the county and established a board of about 20 people that currently operate the Bowl and keep it running full-time.

How it all works is slightly more complicated, but the abridged story reads like this: The County Bowl has shows that it needs to book and therefore goes through a promoter; in this case, Neederlander Events. The bands need to make money and book shows and charge whatever ticket price they deem necessary after a comparatively small rent fee, catering, security, etc., with one dollar kept by the Bowl to go toward music education in local schools. The consession stand, which we all know and love, generates funds for operating costs and for bowl upkeep and renovation; and that is why, my friends, no outside food or alcohol allowed.
With the Santa Barbara County Bowl nearly completing its $30 million renovation, we can expect great music and musicians for years to come.


Santa Barbara Foundation
Santa Barbara is ripe with benefactors. Most look, at some time or another, to donate their respective monies to some creditable and charitable institution. This is where The Santa Barbara Foundation comes in. Established as a Community Foundation, it is a tax exempt nonprofit that acts as a gobetween for charities and donors. Founded in 1928 by
renowned gin and yeast heir, Max Fleischman, the Santa Barbara Foundation (SBF) is one of Santa Barbara’s largest private sources of funding for nonprofit agencies, currently worth $260 million.

In 2005, SBF awarded $17 million to area nonprofits and $2.1 million to area students. It is important to note, however, that the SBF does not help a charity with operating costs, which is why you see so many nonprofits doing their own fundraising. The SBF will help them get established, but it will not run their institution for them - understandably. What does this mean? That anyone looking to donate money, but doesn’t know where to spend it, should take a look at
www.sbfoundation.org.


Domestic Violence Solutions
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and as a nice corollary, is also Santa Barbara’s own Domestic Violence Solutions’ 30th Anniversary. Started in 1977 as Shelter Services for Women, Domestic Violence Solutions (DVS) quickly grew to offer a comprehensive support network for troubled families. There are currently three shelters in Santa Barbara County: one in Lompoc, one in Santa Maria, and one located in Santa Barbara.

DVS works hard to offer a variety of services for victims of domestic violence. They have four 24-hour hotlines to help anyone dealing with domestic violence. They respond with law enforcement on 911 calls of domestic disturbance. They offer counseling for all family members affected by domestic violence, including perpetrators. And, in addition to emergency shelter, they have two transitional houses where residents can stay for up to 18 months and receive counseling and support while they work towards financial independence.

DVS wants to make it clear that if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, help is here. A security network is established to safely usher you into a peaceful and healthy existence.

To check-out all that DVS does, you can access their website at: www.dvsolutions.org


The Family Services Agency (FSA)
The Family Services Agency is a multi-service agency that in many ways, acts as an umbrella for other non-profits. Has to do with the family? The Family Services Agency has it covered.

From building ramps for the elderly to access their homes, to providing family counseling, to suicide prevention, the Family Services Agency can be summarized by their all-encompassing mission statement which reads: “Strengthen and advocate for families and individuals of all ages, thereby creating a strong community.” In an attempt to provide ubiquitous access to help, FSA is currently in the process of instituting a hotline whereby anyone with any need can call 211 to speak with a representative that can assist you. Until some cell-phone carriers finish troubleshooting, however, one in need can call their 800 number at 1-800-400-1572.

The Family Services Agency has a widespread funding base, which incorporates its donations through public programs and some county funding. With an operating budget in excess of 4 million, they have their work cut-out for them.

To see all that they do and to donate yourself, visit www.fsacares.org.


David Edelman
David Eldeman is widely known throughout the nonprofit businesslargely because of his television show related to nonprofits which airs every evening at 7 p.m. on channel 8. Thoughout his tenure as a television host, he has seen the panoply that is local nonprofits come through his ofice to sit and rap with him regarding all things charitable.

Tinta Latina recently requested his foresight into our search for the areas hottest nonprofits and he also helped us compile the following WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR FAVORITE CHARITY WITHOUT DONATING MONEY

-Volunteer your time. This can be achieved by calling your favortie nonprofit and asking them what you can do to make a difference -Join the Board of Directors or and Advisory Group. Most nonprofits have one of these options to help them facilitate funds and perform the vital tasks they accomplish.

-Attend an Event. Most nonprofits host an event at some point in their existence, typically at least one a year. Go to it and see how you can help out. -Refer People. Nonprofits survive, in large part, through individual donations. Keep an ear out. If you know anybody, refer them.

-Get Involved During the Holidays. The holiday season is a busy time for everyone, especially for nonprofits and charitable institutions. If you can, stop in and ask them how you can help.