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UC Santa Barbara Foundation hero

UC Santa Barbara Foundation

Founded in 1973, the UC Santa Barbara Foundation is a non-profit, public-benefit corporation governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees. The Board is dedicated to the advancement of UC Santa Barbara by providing its constituencies with a better understanding of UCSB's teaching, research and public service mission and accomplishments. As an organized entity, the Foundation serves to promote UC Santa Barbara's private philanthropy and manage its donated resources.

Mission Statement

To advance UC Santa Barbara’s capacity to educate future generations, unlock new discoveries, and enrich California and the world.

Here’s How We Do It

We carry out this mission by contributing our talents, perspectives, and financial support; stewarding the University’s philanthropic resources; and inspiring others to become engaged as donors, advocates, and volunteers.

Fiscal Responsibility

The UC Santa Barbara Foundation offers a variety of management and investment services on behalf of the Santa Barbara campus. The investments of the UC Santa Barbara Foundation are managed in accordance with the investment strategies established by the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees. Audits are conducted annually by a nationally recognized accounting firm and are reviewed by the Audit Committee. A current statement of Foundation assets and earnings is available from the UC Santa Barbara Foundation.

Private Support for the Campus

Gifts to UC Santa Barbara from individuals, corporations, and foundations may be made through the UC Santa Barbara Foundation or The Regents of the University of California. Both are considered public charities under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, thus qualifying for all charitable deductions to the limit allowed by law. The Foundation and the UC Regents receive and administer individual bequests, endowments, annual gifts from alumni and friends, and corporate and foundation donations. Gifts for campus activities are expended strictly in accordance with the donor's wishes.