By Henry Dubroff Friday, September 13th, 2024

People who work in nonprofits are passionate, committed to a cause and not necessarily in it for the money.

In recognition of that commitment, the Santa Barbara Foundation scheduled its second “Toast to the Nonprofit Community” at Vega Vineyards in Buellton on Sept. 5.

When I talked to her a day before the invitation-only event, Foundation CEO Jackie Carrera said the program was inspired by a 2022 tribute to first responders that “gave us a chance to raise a glass” to the public safety workers and others for their efforts in the first round of COVID-19.

The 2024 version of the toast comes just a few months after the Foundation released its latest State of Nonprofits report, one whose data points should resonate across the tri-county region.  

The report, which excludes big hospitals and larger international charities like Direct Relief, puts the nonprofit workforce at 15,300 or roughly 13% of all workers. The number of nonprofits was reported at 2,078, with about a four-to-one concentration in south Santa Barbara County.

Carrera said her report found that nonprofits provide a wide range of services, from basic needs for underserved populations to economic development and the environment. What makes them tick, she said is an “intangible that drives so many people who are mission driven.”

The latest State of Nonprofits report makes some recommendations for shoring up the sector, which faces inflationary pressure, sky high housing costs and potential for burnout.

One of the recommendations is to increase capacity at North Santa Barbara County and Santa Ynez Valley nonprofits by strengthening boards and providing more services, largely in recognition of the fact that North County has the greatest needs and has relatively few nonprofits for its larger and growing population.

In that area, Carrera said the Foundation is working with Leading From Within and others to provide training to nonprofit boards and staff.

Another is to help organize nonprofits to speak with a clear voice about the housing shortage and its impact on community organizations. 

Health and mental health of staff is another area where the Foundation has been trying to have an impact, including working with philanthropist Carrie Towbes on a program called “4R,” to help nonprofits recruit staff, and then providepaths to retain, rest and recuperate.

The foundation just turned over to State Sen. Monique Limon and Assemblymember Gregg Hart proposals for prodding insurance providers to lower barriers to reimbursement for mental health services.

As a release announcing the celebration noted, nonprofits provide a double bonus across the Tri-Counties because they “improve life and they are a major economic driver in our region.” 

At the Business Times, we devote a good deal of time each fall to the nonprofit sector, with our annual Giving Guide, going to press later this month and our Who’s Who in Nonprofits and Foundations which publishes in early December. 

We extend our nonprofit coverage throughout the year with our monthly Good Works column devoted to the nonprofit sector.

So, if you think about it, give a shoutout on social media or drop a line or send a donation to your favorite nonprofit.Volunteer to help out or to join a board. I promise you won’t regret it.

CLIPPING OUR WINGS

Those of us who are regular fans of or even occasional users of Southwest Airlines were disappointed to see the nonstop service from Santa Barbara to Denver abruptly halted this summer.

That means travelers trying to utilize one of Southwest’s biggest hubs at DIA have to transit through Las Vegas, Sacramento or someplace else to get access to the airline’s full route system.

We’ve heard that the schedule adjustment could be temporary and we’re hoping to see the flights return shortly. 

We know that competition on the Denver-Central Coast routs keeps United Airlines honest on fares.

And with ski season and the holidays coming up, fliers will need all the seats they can get — without making a detour through Las Vegas.

Henry Dubroff is the founder, owner and editor of the Pacific Coast Business Times. He can be reached at [email protected].