Santa Barbara Education Foundation

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Read more about how SBEF is making headlines supporting students, educators, and public education across Santa Barbara.

  • Monthly Giving Adds Up For This Math Teacher

    By Categories: News

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  • Meet Everest: A Student from our Summer String Camp!

    Everest Akens, a student from Carpinteria Middle School, embraced the opportunity to grow as a violinist, connect with peers, and perform as part of an ensemble. We caught up with Everest to hear about her [...]

  • SBEF President Mat Gradias Featured on 805 Focus

    By Categories: News

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  • From First Notes to Final Concerts: Summer Music Camps

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

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  • 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 [...]

  • 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 [...]

  • Hope Awards Raises Record-Breaking $278,000 for Santa Barbara Students

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  • Why I Chose to Support Public Education: Debbie Arnesen’s Story

    Legacy Society member Debbie Arnesen talks to SBEF's Nina Dunbar about a friendship and other events that led her to a much deeper involvement with public education in Santa Barbara. Last December, the Santa Barbara [...]

  • Santa Barbara Education Foundation’s Commitment to Arts Programs

    By Categories: News

    On Tuesday, March 11, the Santa Barbara School Board voted 3-to-2 to approve preliminary cuts to 85 teachers at the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Many of the cuts included arts and music educator positions. [...]

  • Santa Barbara High School Educator Brings Shakespeare to Life with Bright Torches

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  • Keep The Beat Delivers Instruments and Opportunity to Local Students

    For one young musician in Santa Barbara, the sound of possibility came in the form of a donated trumpet. For another, it was a violin, perfectly sized for small hands eager to learn. Once sitting [...]

  • William Banning Joins the Santa Barbara Education Foundation Board of Directors

    By Categories: News

    The Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF) is pleased to announce that William “Bill” Banning has joined its Board of Directors as a Santa Barbara Unified School District Representative. With 40 years of experience in public [...]

  • SBEF and 99.9 KTYD Team Up to Strengthen Music in Schools

    The Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF), in partnership with 99.9 KTYD, proudly announces the return of the Keep the Beat Instrument Drive. Now in its seventh year, this month-long radio campaign aims to amplify community [...]

  • Santa Barbara Teachers Receive Record-Breaking $203,000 in Grants

    The Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF) hosted its annual Educator Grants awards reception at the Historic Carrillo Ballroom on January 29, 2025. A record-breaking $203,000 in grants was awarded to Santa Barbara Unified School District [...]

  • SBEF Awards $203,000 in Grants to Promote Innovative Teaching

    The Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF) is excited to announce the distribution of 96 grants, totaling $203,000, to support innovative teaching projects across the Santa Barbara Unified School District. This year, the program received an [...]

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