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.
$1M
Donated in 2023
195
Nonprofits in 2023
21
Years of Giving Back
$22M+
Donated in 21 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 2023 award recipients! Thank you for your continued dedication to our local communities.
Children’s Resource Referral (CRR)
The CRR Child Care Expansion and Steps to Licensing Program will recruit, train and provide technical assistance and grants to family child care providers, with emphasis on low-income, under-represented women, creating new jobs and available child care spaces.
Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurses Association
The Grief & Bereavement Program provides counseling services and support groups to those dealing with grief and loss. The Latinx/Hispanic Capacity Building Program seeks to create lasting change in and provide equitable access to quality healthcare for Latinx/Hispanic adults in Ventura County by being more culturally responsive.
Questions?
Please contact Lydia Bastian at (805) 560-3458.