Santa Ynez Valley Foundation

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OVERVIEW: The Santa Ynez Valley Foundation makes grants for community organizations in Solvang and Los Alamos, California.

IP TAKE: The Santa Ynez Valley Foundation is a small community funder that makes grants to a corps of local grantees in the towns of Solvang and Los Alamos. This funder does not articulate grantmaking goals or priorities. It does accept applications for four annual grantmaking cycles each year and appears to be an accessible and supportive source of grants and scholarships for the Santa Ynez Valley community.

PROFILE: Established in 1991, the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation (SYVF) is a community foundation based in Solvang, California. Stuart C. Gildred, a local philanthropist and horse breeder, founded SYVF. The foundation’s mission involves partnering “with the community to enhance the quality of life in the Santa Ynez Valley and Los Alamos.” Grantmaking serves community organizations working in the areas of health, education, community development and arts and culture. Since its founding, SYVF has made over $5.5 million in grants to local organizations.

Grants for Public Health and Mental Health

According to its tax filings, health and mental health are SYVF’s largest giving areas. This funder does not name specific goals for its grantmaking in these areas. Grants have supported the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, the Rehabilitation Program of the Atterdag Village Of Solvang, the Alzheimer’s Association and Jodi’s House, which supports “brain injury survivors and their families through case management, rehabilitation, services, and employment services.

Grants for Education

SYVF makes grants for local education and youth, but does not name priorities for this giving. Grantees include the Solvang Elementary School Foundation and the Los Alamos Public Library.

The foundation also funds scholarships for local students pursuing higher education. Scholarships support study at “a broad variety of community college and four-year college academic and training pursuits.” The foundation “stays in close touch” with its scholarship recipients, “cheering these deserving young people as they begin to build their adult lives.” See the program page for guidelines and application information.

Grants for Community Development and Food Systems

Grants also support an array of community development initiatives in Solvang and Los Alamos, prioritizing needy, vulnerable and elderly residents, as well as the prevention of hunger throughout the community. Grantees include the Solvang Friendship House, the Los Alamos Foundation, People Helping People, the Santa Ynez Valley Senior Citizens Foundation and the Santa Ynez Fruit and Vegetable Rescue.

Grants for Arts and Culture

This funder makes only a few grants each year to support local arts and culture organizations. Grantees include Solvang Theaterfest, the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art and the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden.

Important Grant Details:

SYVF’s grants mainly range from about $75,000 to $20,000.

  • Grantmaking is limited to the communities of Solvang and Los Alamos, and many SYVF grantees receive ongoing support.

  • The foundation provides detailed application guidelines and reviews grant request in January, April, July and October. Applications must be received by the first Wednesday of the grantmaking month to be considered for that cycle.

  • For information about past grants, see the foundation’s How We Help page.

Grantseekers and others can send questions to the foundation via its contact page or by telephone at (805) 688-2991.

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