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Board approves Racial Equity Grant awards administered by The Fund for Santa Barbara
Summary
The Board approved the Community Services Department’s recommendation to award the county’s racial equity grant pool via the Fund for Santa Barbara’s community‑led grantmaking committee. The awards package drew both praise from grantees and criticism from some residents who oppose using county funds for these programs; the motion passed on the
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on April 1 approved the recommended disbursement of the county’s Racial Equity Grant (REG) program, a county‑funded pool administered this year through The Fund for Santa Barbara (the Fund) and a community‑led participatory grantmaking committee.
Department staff and community co‑chairs described the REG process as a community‑led review that has recommended awards to dozens of local organizations providing cultural, economic and social supports to marginalized groups. Community members who served on the grantmaking committee briefed the board in support of the recommendations and described the Fund’s technical assistance and facilitation of the participatory process.
During public comment, proponents — including grant committee members and recipient organizations — urged continued county support, arguing that the program has helped sustain vital community services during a lean funding environment. Opponents, represented in part by Colab and other speakers, said they opposed the county’s expenditure of taxpayer dollars on the priorities selected by the Fund and raised concerns about specific grantees’ budgets and political activities.
Board members debated the program’s governance and whether the Fund remains the appropriate long‑term administrator; several supervisors suggested examining whether the Human Services Commission or other county entities should perform similar grantmaking in future years. Supervisor Nelson asked staff to explore longer‑term housing of the funding mechanism and potential oversight structures. Supervisor La Vagnino and other supporters framed the awards as crucial investments in the county’s most vulnerable residents.
Following discussion, Supervisor La Vagnino moved to approve the REG awards as recommended; motion seconded and approved by the board. The vote was recorded in the consent‑agenda sequence; staff stated the awards would be administered through the Fund for Santa Barbara for the current cycle.
