In these dark times, nonprofits across the board are hurting. The Joint Response Effort, a collaboration between the Santa Barbara Foundation, the United Way of S.B. County, the Hutton Parker Foundation, and 16 other funders, is channeling funds to nonprofits as well as to individuals and businesses. One hundred percent of donations go to aid recipients. According to S.B. Foundation Interim CEO Jackie Carrera, this group of funders “brings not only financial resources but extensive knowledge, information and, most of all, compassion, with their willingness to align efforts so that our community receives the best of what we all have to offer in response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Carrera explained that “The process allows funders to be aware of all the needs that are being requested and the dollars granted so they can maximize their individual giving.” While the Effort has already raised about $2 million, Carrera related how they know they will need millions more to keep up. While federal aid will help, she added, some of those in need can’t wait until it arrives, and others won’t qualify. Already, 110 nonprofits and 1,100 households have applied. Applications by businesses are not being accepted yet.
Simple math shows that the $2 million raised is a fraction of what will be needed. If all the funds went to individuals (not to nonprofits and businesses as is the case), and if only one in ten residents needs assistance (a very optimistic estimate in a county where, in normal times, one in four receives food from the Foodbank), that $2 million translates to less than $45 of assistance for that one-in-ten person in need.