To be eligible to apply for funding, your organization must be a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

General Guidelines

With few exceptions, we fund organizations and programs in Santa Barbara County.  We give highest priority to organizations and programs in Carpinteria.

Our areas of focus include programs specifically addressing education and well being of low-income children and youth, people affected by disabilities, disadvantage and homelessness, the arts, and open space preservation.  

With few exceptions, only one grant will be awarded per organization per year.  If your organization is requesting funding for multiple programs, all requests should be included on a single request/application. 

With few exceptions, we do not sponsor or fund events.

We do not fund organizations who discriminate in delivery of programs and services on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Our evaluation process includes consideration of organizational health and stability, including leadership excellence and board stewardship, financial stability, and operational effectiveness and efficiency.

Applications Open: July 15, 2026

Application Deadline: September 1, 2026

Awards Announced: November 2026

Grant Cycle Closed

Our 2026 grant cycle opens on July 15, 2026. Applications for this grant cycle will be available via our online application.

If your organization received funding from the La Centra-Sumerlin Foundation within the past 12 months, you are pre-approved to apply in this cycle. You will receive an email invitation with a link to the full application on July 15th.

If your organization has not received funding in the last 12 months from the La Centra-Sumerlin Foundation, please begin by submitting a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). We accept LOIs on a rolling basis. If approved, you will receive a link to our full application on July 15th.

If you have questions regarding the 2025 Grant Cycle or application, please email info@lcsf.org.