1923
United Way began in Santa Barbara County as the Community Chest, led by a coalition of community leaders who initiated the first annual campaign to support 16 local agencies such as the Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs, and the milk fund.
Since 1923, United Way of Santa Barbara County has been a key leader in local efforts to empower children, families, and communities. Throughout its history, United Way has transitioned from the traditional United Way fundraising and grantmaking model to a hybrid organization, building community partnerships and delivering direct programs and services to residents throughout Santa Barbara County.
With a renewed focus on crisis response and a robust history of educational and financial resiliency programs, United Way is honored to continue our commitment to the individuals, children, and families we serve. With a foundation of dedicated partnerships and experience, we look forward to another 100 years of innovation and impact for our community.
United Way began in Santa Barbara County as the Community Chest, led by a coalition of community leaders who initiated the first annual campaign to support 16 local agencies such as the Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs, and the milk fund.
United Way became the War Chest in the 1940s, supporting domestic fundraising efforts to support the Second World War.
In the 70’s, United Way in Santa Barbara County followed the nationwide trend to rename the Community Chest organizations as United Ways. Across the nation, organizations made the change, becoming a federated network of local community service organizations dedicated to local solutions to community challenges.
United Way purchased its Gutierrez Street office. A successful community capital campaign a few years later paid off the property, where the organization still operates from today.
United Way partners with Girls Inc. for the inaugural year of the Fun in the Sun summer learning program, which was first hosted at Ortega Park in Eastside Santa Barbara and served approximately 20 children ages 6-12.
The first Early Learning Success Institutes are established, providing essential funding and operational support to school campuses countywide, bridging the gap for students entering the classroom for the first time.
United Way releases the Power of Partnership initiative, uniting 150+ community leaders to clarify Santa Barbara County’s vision for the future. The Power of Partnership initiative set a 10-year vision and also initiated United Way’s transformation into a service-delivery organization, reorienting the way the organization supported its dedicated network of partners.
United Way launches the first United Learning Center, a free, individualized literacy tutoring program supporting Santa Barbara Unified School District. A satellite classroom was also opened at the United Way office.
Crisis hits Santa Barbara and the world with the COVID-19 Pandemic. United Way is called up for coordination and support initiatives and raises or manages over $54 million in recovery funds. Over 9,100 local families are beneficiaries of United Way’s programs, receiving essential funds to cover rental and utility payments, helping them stay housed and prepared for what became a multi-year crisis.
United Way expands its award-winning Fun in the Sun summer learning program for the first time to Guadalupe Union School District, serving a record 500+ students across the county with the free summer enrichment program.
United Way of Santa Barbara County celebrates its centennial, marking over 100 years of impact in Santa Barbara County. United Way is one of the oldest United Way’s in the global network, which began in 1887 in Denver, Colorado.
United Way also formalizes its Resiliency Grants program, supporting a network of 15 case management agencies in household stability grants.
320 East Gutierrez St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-8591