Community Dividends®
This tradition began in 2003 when our late founder, Michael Towbes, invited 100 nonprofits to lunch and surprised each of them with a $10,000 check. We have carried that tradition forward each year since, giving away $1 million every November to hundreds of nonprofits across the Central Coast. In 2022, we celebrated 20 years of this hallmark program by increasing our Community Dividends giving to $2 million! We also awarded five organizations a special $100,000 Michael Towbes Community Impact Dividend; an award introduced in 2019 to honor Michael Towbes.
$2M
Donated in 2022
200
Nonprofits in 2022
20
Years of Giving Back
$21M+
Donated in 20 Years
Community Dividends awards a total of $1 million dollars to hundreds of 501(c)(3) designated organizations which serve low and moderate-income individuals and families in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. The program also awards dividends to organizations that serve the arts, youth and education, social services, and medical and health services sectors.
The nonprofit honorees are invited to join bank employees in a celebration of their community commitment. It has become one of the most anticipated nonprofit events of the year, providing organizations the opportunity to socialize with their nonprofit colleagues, share ideas, build stronger bonds and reflect on their impact in the community.
Explaining the motivation behind Community Dividends, Michael Towbes said, "We do this because we recognize and support the invaluable role nonprofits play in enhancing the quality of life for all segments of our society. We do this to encourage other organizations to follow in our footsteps. We do this to encourage our employees to volunteer to support these worthy organizations. We do this because we think it’s the right thing to do."
Michael Towbes Community Impact Dividend
The Michael Towbes Community Impact Dividend was founded in 2019 to continue the legacy of significant and meaningful impact with an annual dividend of at least $100,000 to one or more nonprofit organizations that deliver critical and sustainable services to a large number of the most vulnerable people in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
Congratulations to the 2022 award recipients! Thank you for your continued dedication to our local communities.
The Arc Foundation of Ventura County
Community Employment Services supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in job readiness training and placement, supporting their path to independence.
CommUnify
The Family Self-Sufficiency Program provides case management and coaching for up to one year, and economic empowerment education and targeted payment assistance (rent, utilities, education expenses) to help stabilize families.
Doctors Without Walls – Santa Barbara Street Medicine
The Wrap Around Care Program offers medical and behavioral health services so individuals can transition off the streets and into housing. Clients are given access to secure housing, food, showers, laundry and on-site case management.
Pacific Pride Foundation (PPF)
LGBTQ+ Language Justice Project. PPF has an ambitious goal of becoming a bilingual organization by 2024. PPF will expand and improve programs and services to include populations that are often underinvested in and overlooked.
Peoples' Self-Help Housing Corporation
The Camino Scholars Education Program provides education services including school tutoring and college advising support. Educators maintain a 1:1 student-to-instructor ratio and work with students to set goals, identify resources needed and implement strategies for success.
Questions?
Please contact Ashleigh Davis at (805) 963-7511.