Chumash Foundation

06/06/2026

Last month, more than 120 volunteers gathered at the Tribal Hall, including Team Chumash members, Santa Ynez Chumash community members, and new friends from all over.

The goal was to build 60 beds that could be delivered to local children who don't have beds of their own, and these hardworking volunteers completed 64 in just four hours!

Thank you to our friends at Sleep In Heavenly Peace for making this opportunity possible, and to each and every volunteer who helped make this goal a reality.

06/05/2026

We are proud to shine a spotlight on four worthwhile events that we have the privilege of sponsoring this weekend. They include:

✨ Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County is hosting their 20th Annual Champions Dinner, celebrating the individuals, businesses, and organizations who've made a true difference to the most vulnerable people in our county.

🫒 Los Olivos Rotary Club is hosting their 20th Annual Jazz & Olive Festival, whose proceeds directly support local scholarships and local and international community service projects.

🎗️Cancer Support Community Valley- Ventura-Santa Barbara Inc. is hosting their 2026 Hope Walk 5K, promoting awareness and education about cancer while raising critical funds in support of Cancer Support Community’s promise to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.

🍴 Casa Pacifica Centers For Children And Families is hosting their 33rd Annual Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival, whose proceeds benefit Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families’ therapeutic programs and community-based services.

Thank you to these organizations for curating incredible experiences for the community to take part in, and for stepping up to support others in need.

📷: In addition to providing financial support through grants and sponsorships, we also connect local nonprofit partners with our talented team of Team Chumash volunteers! If your nonprofit has an upcoming event that could use a few extra hands, send the details to [email protected] to see if Team Chumash might be a good fit.

06/03/2026

Last month, we awarded $20,000 to the Economic Alliance Foundation (EconAlliance), to assist the organization as they seek to expand their role as a leading North Santa Barbara County nonprofit focused on regional economic vitality.

EconAlliance is a cross-industry alliance that fosters awareness, advocacy, support and appreciation for Northern Santa Barbara County industries and communities. EconAlliance also supports industry attraction, retention and expansion, championing Northern Santa Barbara County communities and the key industry sectors that fuel these communities and inspire regional economic vitality.

We welcome you to learn more about EconAlliance and the important role they play in Northern Santa Barbara County at: https://econalliance.org/.

The sector plays an important and unique role, supporting multiple industries with components, instruments, and finished products.

06/01/2026

We are mindful of the importance of enhancing programs, extending accessibility and broadening the scope and reach of cultural and recreational institutions. As one of our five Fields of Interest, our Foundation is proud to support Culture and Recreation nonprofit partners who provide opportunities for leisure or sporting activities to the community.

One such partner is the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table, who recently received $3,000 to support their upcoming celebration, Evening with the Athletes. Evening with the Athletes honors excellence in athletics, academics, leadership, and character across Santa Barbara County; bringing together 300 student-athletes, coaches, families, educators, community leaders, and sponsors to recognize Athletes of the Year across fall, winter, and spring sports.

This year's ceremony will be held tomorrow, June 1st, at Marjorie Luke Theater. We welcome you to learn more about this special evening, and all of Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table's programs, at:

Athletics, Academics, and Ethics

05/30/2026

Each month, Chumash Enterprises shines a spotlight on one department in a special behind-the-scenes segment called "Meet The Team." The latest feature is on Chumash Foundation!

We hope you enjoy this special presentation, and invite you to learn more about us by visiting: chumash.gov/foundation.

05/29/2026

Giving back to the community has always been a distinguishing characteristic of the Chumash. Our elders taught us many important lessons in life, including the spirit of generosity — 'amuyich — that is our tradition.

One of the most common ways we support the efforts of nonprofit partners throughout the Tri-County region is by sponsoring fundraising events. These opportunities help to raise critical program funding that support the year-round efforts of these worthwhile organizations, and we are proud to announce more than $47,000 in event sponsorships this weekend, including:

• Santa Maria Firefighters Benevolent Foundation's Hook and Ladder Golf Classic on Friday, May 29

• Lompoc Hospital District Foundation's Flower Valley Golf Classic on Friday, May 29

• Fellowship of Christian Athletes' 15th Annual FCA All Star Football Classic on Saturday, May 30

• The Foundation For Santa Barbara City College's Spring Forward! Gala ~ Speakeasy Style on Saturday, May 30

• Mental Health Association In Santa Barbara County's One Shining Night - The Power of Connection on Saturday, May 30

• Santa Maria Elks Lodge's Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade on Saturday, May 30

We invite all 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in the Tri-County region to visit our website, chumash.gov/foundation, to learn more about our year-round event sponsorship guidelines.

05/26/2026

We receive hundreds of applications each year for requests ranging from event sponsorships to capital and program grants. Successful submissions always include the following elements:

- The application can clearly articulate and demonstrate the results its activities achieve for those it serves.
- The request builds on an agency’s institutional strengths and encourages innovative solutions to community/agency problems and/or needs.
- The Foundation’s dollars are leveraged with other funding sources, with a clear plan for securing additional support.

Find more tips and everything your organization needs to ensure a successful submission at our website: https://chumash.gov/foundation.

📸: We are proud to have awarded $350,000 to the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Foundation, helping the nonprofit get closer to reaching its goal of bringing a state-of-the-art pool facility to students and the local community. To benefit the community, SYV Aquatics - along with the Cities of Solvang and Buellton - will be hosting Community Swim this summer at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School! Learn more about available swim lessons, rec swim, and more, by joining them here on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/syvcommunityaquatics.

05/24/2026

We recently awarded a $15,000 sponsorship to Elks Recreation, Inc. in support of the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo & Parade.

In its 83rd year, this community celebration is a family-favorite event for cowboys and cowgirls of all ages. This year's events will take place over four days, beginning Wednesday, May 27, and running through Sunday, May 31.

Learn more and find tickets at: https://www.elksrec.com/.

Home of the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo.

05/22/2026

We are proud to share a glimpse behind the impact made by our charitable giving and volunteer programs so far this year.

From January 1 through April 15, our Foundation processed 118 grant applications, funded 13 grants and supported 59 events to support nonprofit efforts that strengthen our region. These awards are focused on Community Enhancements and Environment, Culture and Recreation, Education and Personal Development, and Health and Human Services—areas that directly shape the quality of life for families and neighbors across Santa Barbara County and beyond.

Our volunteer branch, Team Chumash, supported eight volunteer events and contributed 187 volunteer hours—including efforts like Wreaths Across America, meals served through the Good Samaritan Shelter (Santa Maria), support for Transition House (Santa Barbara), and volunteer work with Rise Against Hunger.

Through these relationships and our work together, the cherished tradition of 'amuyich - to be a generous one - lives on.

05/21/2026

Hosting special events is a key part of fundraising for many nonprofit organizations. Through our event sponsorship program, Chumash Foundation accepts up to two event sponsorship applications per year from eligible organizations throughout the Tri-County region.

Through this program we had the privilege to award $30,000 in event sponsorships to five worthwhile organizations with special events taking place this week:

• Fellowship Of Christian Athletes' FCA All Star Football Classic Thank You Reception, taking place this Thursday, May 21 - https://www.centralcoastfca.org/football

• Veggie Rescue's Sweet 16: Celebrating 16 Years and 5 Million Pounds Rescued, taking place this Thursday, May 21 - https://veggierescue.org/sweet-16/

• Alzheimer's Association Inc., California Central Chapter's Hearts and Hope Garden Soiree, taking place this Thursday, May 21 - https://www.alz.org/cacentralcoast

• Children's Creative Project's 40th Annual I Madonnari Street Painting Festival (pictured here), taking place Saturday, May 23-Monday, May 25 - https://ccp.sbceo.org/i-madonnari/welcome

• The 16th Annual Teen Star, taking place Saturday, May 23 - https://teenstar.us/

We welcome you to learn more about each of these exciting events by visiting the organizing nonprofit partners here on Facebook, or by visiting the links to each event provided above.