Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts Grant Guidelines
The Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts supports Santa Barbara County nonprofits expanding equitable access to high-quality performing arts through program and organizational capacity building.
Funder: Santa Barbara Foundation
Due Dates: March 13, 2026 (Spring) | October 9, 2026 (Fall)
Funding Amounts: Up to $15,000 per grant; one-year grant period; partial funding is common.
Summary: Supports Santa Barbara County nonprofits in expanding access to diverse, high-quality performing arts through program and operating support, with a focus on equity and organizational capacity.
Key Information: Only one application per organization per calendar year; must serve Santa Barbara County.
Description
The Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts, administered by the Santa Barbara Foundation, is designed to strengthen nonprofit organizations and enhance the capacity of the performing arts sector in Santa Barbara County. The grant provides both general operating and programmatic support to nonprofits that deliver quality performing arts opportunities, with a strong emphasis on increasing access for diverse, low-income, and marginalized populations. Priority is given to projects that demonstrate cultural competence, collaborative approaches, and intentional strategies to remove barriers to participation in the arts. The program aims for a balanced distribution of funds across geographic regions, populations served, and organization sizes.
