Selected once again by the U.S. Department of Education to serve as an exclusive California test agent, the Scholarship Foundation hosted a community workshop in Santa Maria on August 7 to conduct testing of the latest iteration of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the third consecutive year that the Foundation… Read more »
Calen Ouellette, an award-winning nonprofit executive with more than 25 years of leadership and philanthropy experience spanning higher education, healthcare, and social advocacy, has been named president and CEO of the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara. He will begin serving in his new role on August 10. “The applicant pool for this position was particularly… Read more »
Dear Friends, What an exhilarating finish to Fiscal Year 2026! In a span of less than six weeks, our organization announced almost $8.5 million in scholarships for the coming academic year, celebrated local students and supporters at gatherings in both ends of the county, and presented an especially dazzling South Coast Business & Technology (SCBT)… Read more »
For the fourth consecutive year, the South Coast Business and Technology (SCBT) Awards ceremony has grossed record proceeds on behalf of the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara. Seven standout organizations and individuals were honored during the 2026 ceremony, which took place June 23 at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. The annual awards recognize innovation,… Read more »
The Scholarship Foundation honored hundreds of area students at consecutive awards ceremonies on May 27 and 28. Approximately 650 people attended the Foundation’s South County Scholarship Awards Ceremony on May 27 at the Courthouse Sunken Garden in Santa Barbara, and approximately 850 people attended the organization’s North County Scholarship Awards Ceremony on May 28 at… Read more »
The Scholarship Foundation has awarded college scholarships totaling more than $8.4 million to 2,288 Santa Barbara County students for the 2026-27 academic year. Most high school seniors were notified of their awards on April 24; all other recipients were notified on May 15. Of the $8,457,996 awarded this year, $4,147,018 will help support students in… Read more »
Seven standout organizations and individuals will be honored during the 2026 South Coast Business & Technology (SCBT) Awards ceremony on June 23 at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. The annual awards recognize innovation, leadership, and success in the area’s business and technology sectors. Net proceeds from the event will benefit the Scholarship Foundation of… Read more »
Dear Friends, I began serving as interim president and CEO of the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara a little more than a month ago, and over the intervening weeks a few things have become absolutely clear. First, the Scholarship Foundation has been blessed with a truly exceptional staff. This had long been my sense, but… Read more »
Tim Dougherty, a communications executive with deep ties to the area’s nonprofit sector, has been appointed interim president and CEO of the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara. He will succeed outgoing president and CEO Melinda Cabrera, effective March 12. “I view this assignment as a great honor and will spare no effort to sustain the… Read more »
The Scholarship Foundation honored 20 student artists during a reception at Art & Soul Gallery in Santa Barbara on Tuesday, March 3. As winners of the Foundation’s 2026 Art Scholarship Competition, each will receive a college scholarship. Reception Photos Available Here! “We have been recognizing student artists from South County high schools through this program… Read more »
