Santa Barbara Education Foundation

SBEF
News & Events

The Santa Barbara Education Foundation has been championing public education in Santa Barbara since 1985 by providing vital support and resources so every student can thrive.

NEWS

  • From First Notes to Final Concerts: Summer Music Camps

    [vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text css="" text_direction="default"] This summer, the SBEF celebrated its most successful season of Summer [...]

  • Planting Roots: How Campus Canopy is Transforming Schoolyards into Living Classrooms

    [vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overflow="visible" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text css="" text_direction="default"]On a Saturday morning, you can find a circle of students huddled [...]

  • Santa Barbara Education Foundation Executive Director Pedro Paz Announces Departure

    By Categories: News

    Pedro Paz, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Education Foundation, has announced his decision to step down, with his resignation effective June 7. The Board of Directors supports Pedro in his decision and extends its deep gratitude for his leadership and service over the past three years. During his tenure, Pedro helped advance SBEF’s mission [...]

  • How a Summer Band Camp Helped One Student Find His Rhythm

    At the Santa Barbara Education Foundation, we believe music helps students unlock confidence, focus, and academic success. Just ask long-time Santa Barbara resident and SBEF donor Haydee Perez, whose son, RJ, transformed his learning journey after attending our Nick Rail Summer Band Camp. What started as a spark of interest in the saxophone grew into [...]

EVENTS

SBEF Hosts Financial Literacy Workshop to Support Educators’ Financial Future

The Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF) will host Wealth of Knowledge, a free financial literacy workshop designed specifically for educators, on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

LATEST ISSUE

Education Matters

As we close out 2025, this issue of Education Matters celebrates the impact made possible by our community.

From a powerful story highlighting the lifelong influence of music education to key insights from Superintendent Dr. Hilda Maldonado’s State of Our Schools address, this newsletter reflects a year of growth and opportunity across Santa Barbara’s public schools.

You’ll also meet SBEF’s newest board member and join us in thanking a longtime leader for his dedicated service.

SBEF Winter 2025 Cover Education Matters

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