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Corporate Philanthropy

Michael Towbes Community Impact Dividend

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Honoring a Legacy of Giving

The Michael Towbes Community Impact Dividend was created to honor the impactful legacy of Montecito Bank & Trust Founder, Michael Towbes, whose vision inspired our philanthropic giving programs to be what they are today. His motivations were always clear - “do the right thing, even when no one is watching.” He set the gold standard for what it means to make a true impact in the lives of those who need it the most by giving generously of his time, treasure and talent to so many. To honor and extend his impact on our communities, the Michael Towbes Community Impact Dividend donates a total of $100,000 annually to one or more 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. To date, the program has donated $1,125,000 to 16 different organizations in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

How it Began

The inaugural 2019 recipient was the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission (SBRM) - the only emergency shelter open 365 nights per year between Santa Maria and Ventura. The SBRM offers a 12-month residential recovery program for men and women suffering from addiction, an outpatient alcohol and drug program and a sober living club.

How to Apply:

  • The application will be open online from September 24 to October 9, 2025.

    The 2025 Michael Towbes Community Impact Dividend recipient will be announced during our annual Community Dividends celebration on Monday, November 24, 2025.

    We look forward to hearing from you!

    Questions? Please contact Brianna Aguilar at (805) 564-0256.

    Click to Apply

The MTCID is intended to make a meaningful impact on the communities by helping the non-profit deliver critical and sustainable services to a large number of the most vulnerable individuals and families in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

In order to be considered, the nonprofit’s program or project initiatives should clearly address and include many or all of the following:

  • Direct support or resources to vulnerable populations in the community.
  • A focus on action and demonstrable outcomes, not pure research.
  • An innovative mindset – tying together new or existing ideas or technologies to successfully bring something new and valuable to the region.
  • Practical solutions that are feasible to implement within the grant timeline and in a real-world setting.
  • A commitment to maximizing the impact of our investment – this means the project will have a measurable meaningful impact to the community (large or small) where it will be implemented.
  • A sustainable impact on the community – the project is intended to be long-term and easy to maintain.
  • Utilization of volunteers

The following initiatives do not meet the impact requirements:

  • Bridge Funding
  • Capital Support
  • Debt Reduction
  • Fundraising
  • Political causes
  • Religious causes
  • Salaries
  • Scholarships/Financial Aid
  • Special Events
  • Sports Teams

Each application will need to provide the following supporting documents:

  • 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter
  • W-9 Form
  • Formal request letter clearly outlining program goals and aligning them to the stated program requirements explained above
  • List of Board of Directors and their affiliations
  • Executive Summary of current strategic plan and initiatives
  • Organizational Budget
  • Program Budget (for specific program described in application)
  • Three years of financial data (e.g. audits, IRS Forms 990, etc.)
  • Any documents that can be used for low- and moderate-income (LMI) verification

Failure to upload the required documents could result in a disqualified application.

2024

Casa Pacifica Center for Children & Families

Youth and Family Services YMCA, Noah’s Anchorage

2023

Children’s Resource & Referral (CRR)

Livingston Memorial Visting Nurse Association

2022

The Arc Foundation of Ventura County

CommUnify

Doctors Without Walls – Santa Barbara Street Medicine

Pacific Pride Foundation

Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Corp.

2021

Housing Trust Fund of Santa Barbara County, Inc.

Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics

2020

CALM

Council On Alcoholism & Drug Abuse

Gold Coast Veterans Foundation

Organic Soup Kitchen

Santa Ynez Valley People Helping People

Invested in Our Community

Learn about how, why, and how MB&T will always give back to our communities.

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Community Dividends®

For 21 years, MB&T has celebrated the work and leadership of hundreds of local nonprofits with over $1 million in grants donated annually.

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Our Story

50 years later, our commitment to this community is as strong as the day we started. Learn how it all began.

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Need Volunteers?

MB&T associates volunteer their time and talents throughout the year at community events. Let us know if you need volunteers to help your event be a success!

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