Restoration Endowment Fund Grant Guidelines
At the heart of our efforts to ensure long-term restoration is the Foothills Forever Restoration Endowment Fund, managed by the Santa Barbara Foundation. All donations to this $1 million fund support ongoing restoration projects through our annual grants program.
Overview of FFI’s Restoration Endowment Fund (REF)
The Restoration Endowment Fund provides support for habitat restoration activities at the San Marcos Foothills Preserve, in Santa Barbara County, with an emphasis on the West Mesa’s 101 acres. The REF is intended to provide additional support for the Foothills where there are gaps in government and foundation support. Funding will be allocated by the FFI Board of Directors, based on the spending policies in the Santa Barbara Foundation / REF Agency Endowment Fund Agreement and these Grant Guidelines.
Alignment with County of Santa Barbara Annual Work Plan
FFI will only fund projects approved on the County of Santa Barbara’s Annual Work Plan for the San Marcos Foothills Preserve. An annual request for proposals (RFP) will be published for land management and research activities on the Preserve to be reviewed by the San Marcos Foothills Scientific & Cultural Advisory Council (SMFSCAC). The SMFSCAC will make recommendations to the Santa Barbara County Community Services Department – Parks Division as to which activities should be approved for each fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). Projects approved by the County may be eligible for funding from FFI’s Restoration Endowment Fund. The information applicants provide in the County RFP will be reviewed by FFI in lieu of a separate grant application. Learn more about the County RFP process.
Grant Guidelines and Priority Areas
The Foothills Forever, Inc. believes that in addition to preservation, stewardship of the land at the San Marcos Foothills is vital. The Restoration Endowment Fund will provide important financial resources that run with the land to ensure its active care and restoration.
The exclusive goals of the Restoration Endowment Fund are to provide funding for projects that take place either 1) on the West Mesa, or, 2) in the event these lands are permanently protected as open space, on the adjacent 200 acres that provide direct habitat value to the West Mesa.
Projects must also meet one or more of these priority areas:
Restore and establish native plants to combat climate change and enhance vital wildlife habitat;
Enhance the Preserve as a public open space for passive recreation and environmental education for youth and adults while protecting its ecological function;
Maintain the Preserve as a critical wildfire buffer for Santa Barbara;
Plant and/or maintain a Chumash ethnobotanical garden and related projects;
Provide opportunities for research on biodiversity, sequestration of carbon, and other subjects relevant to preservation;
Ensure stabilization or enhancement of biological and natural resources, and/or mitigate invasive plants, when altered by storms or other environmental or human-made conditions;
Develop and implement hands-on volunteer projects to aid restoration and provide training in restoration methodologies.
Projects should also:
connect and share outcomes of projects with an array of community groups on fire, biodiversity, climate change, and community engagement in land preservation and other projects;
Share technical data with other interested and qualified researchers and Project Applicants.
Eligibility and Grant Types: Single or multi-year grants of a variety of amounts up to $40,000 will be considered in an annual funding cycle, although it should be noted that total annual grantmaking may fluctuate. Funding may be available in between cycles for unforeseen/urgent needs. Projects with other (or matching) funding sources are encouraged.
Applicants are not required to be recognized as a 501(c)(3) exempt organization, but if they are not, projects must fall within FFI’s mission and exempt purposes, as described above.
Grant Reports: Semi-annual updates and a final report are due after funding is received, and should include project outcomes, a final budget, and photographs, and/or a site tour.
Funding Timeline:
FFI’s annual grant cycle is coordinated with the timeline of the County of Santa Barbara Annual Work Plan approval process. To streamline the funding process, the information that applicants provide in the RFP will be used by FFI in lieu of a separate grant application.
Note: there can be annual variability in this timeline. Learn more about the County RFP timeline for the current year.
Fall:
RFP is published and promoted by the County
RFPs due - project proposals submitted to the County to be considered for the Annual Work Plan for the San Marcos Foothills Preserve.
Winter:
FFI receives a list of County approved projects, which may be eligible for FFI funding. Eligible projects are not guaranteed funding.
Spring:
County approved projects will be reviewed by the FFI board, and grants will be awarded based on funding priorities.
Note: FFI may ask the applicants to consider one or more additional questions or tasks once the proposal has been selected by FFI for funding. Opportunities to maximize the outcomes of the funded work are of interest to all.
July 1 - June 30: Projects need to begin within this time period
Questions?
For questions related to FFI’s grant program, please email info@foothillsforever.org
For questions about submitting projects for the County of Santa Barbara’s Annual Work Plan for the San Marcos Foothills Preserve, please contact SanMarcosFoothillsInfo@countyofsb.org Learn more about the County RFP process and timeline.
Download FFI’s Grant Guidelines here.
Geology Tour
Join us for a geology tour of the San Marcos Foothills with Susie Bartz, focused on the overall landscape & the big processes (tectonics, weathering, and erosion) that shape it. The walking tour includes an easy 1-mile loop.
Meet on Via Gaitero at the gate/kiosk at the top of the parking area.
Please arrive early to check in and sign a waiver form.
Wear sturdy walking shoes & sunscreen
Bring water
Dogs are welcome on a leash
There are no restrooms
Geology Tour
Join us for a geology tour of the San Marcos Foothills with Susie Bartz, focused on the overall landscape & the big processes (tectonics, weathering, and erosion) that shape it. The walking tour includes an easy 1-mile loop.
Meet on Via Gaitero at the gate/kiosk at the top of the parking area.
Please arrive early to check in and sign a waiver form.
Wear sturdy walking shoes & sunscreen
Bring water
Dogs are welcome on a leash
There are no restrooms
Geology Tour
Join us for a geology tour of the San Marcos Foothills with Susie Bartz, focused on the overall landscape & the big processes (tectonics, weathering, and erosion) that shape it. The walking tour includes an easy 1-mile loop.
Meet on Via Gaitero at the gate/kiosk at the top of the parking area.
Please arrive early to check in and sign a waiver form.
Wear sturdy walking shoes & sunscreen
Bring water
Dogs are welcome on a leash
There are no restrooms
Nature Walk Tour
Join us for a nature walk tour of the San Marcos Foothills with Scott Orlosky. Enjoy the views and beauty while walking and learning about this special property we are working hard to save.
Meet on Via Gaitero at the gate/kiosk at the top of the parking area.
Please arrive early to check in and sign a waiver form.
Wear sturdy walking shoes & sunscreen
Bring water
There are no restrooms
Nature Walk Tour
Join us for a nature walk tour of the San Marcos Foothills with Ken Owen. Enjoy the views and beauty while walking and learning about this special property we are working hard to save.
Meet on Via Gaitero at the gate/kiosk at the top of the parking area.
Please arrive early to check in and sign a waiver form.
Wear sturdy walking shoes & sunscreen
Bring water
There are no restrooms
Geology Tour with Susie Bartz
The geology tour will focus on the overall landscape and the big processes - - tectonics, weathering, and erosion -- that shape it. The itinerary follows an easy 1-mile loop past boulders that show evidence of these processes and clues to their marine origins.
Bring a jacket and water, and wear sturdy shoes.
There are no restrooms available.
Masks are required to attend.
Informal "Walk and Talk" with Scott
Entrance on Via Gaitero at the gate/kiosk at the top of the parking area.
Please plan to arrive at the tour site 15 min early to check-in and complete waivers for an on-time start at 10 AM
Bring a jacket and water, and wear sturdy shoes.
There are no restrooms available.
Masks are required to attend.
Geology Tour with Susie Bartz
The geology tour will focus on the overall landscape and the big processes - - tectonics, weathering, and erosion -- that shape it. The itinerary follows an easy 1-mile loop past boulders that show evidence of these processes and clues to their marine origins.
Bring a jacket and water, and wear sturdy shoes.
There are no restrooms available.
Masks are required to attend.
Informal "Walk and Talk" with Scott
Entrance on Via Gaitero at the gate/kiosk at the top of the parking area.
Please plan to arrive at the tour site 15 min early to check-in and complete waivers for an on-time start at 10 AM
Bring a jacket and water, and wear sturdy shoes.
There are no restrooms available.
Masks are required to attend.
Geology Tour with Susie Bartz
The geology tour will focus on the overall landscape and the big processes - - tectonics, weathering, and erosion -- that shape it. The itinerary follows an easy 1-mile loop past boulders that show evidence of these processes and clues to their marine origin.
Bring a jacket and water, and wear sturdy shoes.
There are no restrooms available.
Masks are required to attend.
Informal "Walk and Talk" with Scott
Entrance on Via Gaitero at the gate/kiosk at the top of the parking area.
Please plan to arrive at the tour site 15 min early to check-in and complete waivers for an on-time start at 10 AM
Bring a jacket and water, and wear sturdy shoes.
There are no restrooms available.
Masks are required to attend.
Geology Tour with Susie Bartz
The geology tour will focus on the overall landscape and the big processes - - tectonics, weathering, and erosion -- that shape it. The itinerary follows an easy 1-mile loop past boulders that show evidence of these processes and clues to their marine origin.
Bring a jacket and water, and wear sturdy shoes.
There are no restrooms available.
Masks are required to attend.
Informal "Walk and Talk" with Scott
Entrance on Via Gaitero at the gate/kiosk at the top of the parking area.
Please plan to arrive at the tour site 15 min early to check-in and complete waivers for an on-time start at 10 AM
Bring a jacket and water, and wear sturdy shoes.
There are no restrooms available.
Masks are required to attend.
Geology Tour with Susie Bartz
The geology tour will focus on the overall landscape and the big processes - - tectonics, weathering, and erosion -- that shape it. The itinerary follows an easy 1-mile loop past boulders that show evidence of these processes and clues to their marine origin.
Bring a jacket and water, and wear sturdy shoes.
There are no restrooms available.
Masks are required to attend.
Info Session
Info Session: Save the West Mesa of San Marcos Foothills
Learn more about the time-sensitive opportunity our community has to save the 101-acre West Mesa of the San Marcos Foothills in perpetuity for public use -- and why your support is needed NOW.
(After registering, you'll receive an email with the event's Zoom link)
Informal "Walk and Talk" with Scott
Entrance on Via Gaitero at the gate/kiosk at the top of the parking area.
Please plan to arrive at the tour site 15 min early to check-in and complete waivers for an on-time start at 10 AM
Bring a jacket and water, and wear sturdy shoes.
There are no restrooms available.
Masks are required to attend.
Geology Tour with Susie Bartz
The geology tour will focus on the overall landscape and the big processes - - tectonics, weathering, and erosion -- that shape it. The itinerary follows an easy 1-mile loop past boulders that show evidence of these processes and clues to their marine origin.
Bring a jacket and water, and wear sturdy shoes.
There are no restrooms available.
Masks are required to attend.
Info Session
Info Session: Save the West Mesa of San Marcos Foothills
Learn more about the time-sensitive opportunity our community has to save the 101-acre West Mesa of the San Marcos Foothills in perpetuity for public use -- and why your support is needed NOW.
REGISTER HERE to attend
(After registering, you'll receive an email with the event's Zoom link)
Informal "Walk and Talk" with Scott
Entrance on Via Gaitero at the gate/kiosk at the top of the parking area.
Please plan to arrive at the tour site 15 min early to check-in and complete waivers for an on-time start at 10 AM
Bring a jacket and water, and wear sturdy shoes.
There are no restrooms available.
Masks are required to attend.
Informal "Walk and Talk" with Julia Laraway
Entrance on Via Gaitero at the gate/kiosk at the top of the parking area.
Please plan to arrive at the tour site 15 min early to check-in and complete waivers for an on-time start at 10 AM
Bring a jacket and water, and wear sturdy shoes.
There are no restrooms available.
Masks are required to attend.
Geology Tour with Susie Bartz
The geology tour will focus on the overall landscape and the big processes - - tectonics, weathering, and erosion -- that shape it. The itinerary follows an easy 1-mile loop past boulders that show evidence of these processes and clues to their marine origin.
Bring a jacket and water, and wear sturdy shoes.
There are no restrooms available.
Masks are required to attend.
CEC's 2021 Virtual Earth Day Festival
Thursday, April 22nd 11:00am - 12:00pm - Marianne Parra
Thursday, April 22nd, 5:30pm - 6:30pm - Scott Orlosky
Friday, April 23rd, 11:00am - 12:00pm - Nancy Tubiolo
Friday, April 23rd 5:30pm - 6:30pm - Julia Laraway
Saturday, April 24th, 11:00am - 12:00pm - TBD
Saturday, April 24th, 5:30pm - 6:30pm - Cindy Kimmick
Info Session
Info Session: Save the West Mesa of San Marcos Foothills
Learn more about the time-sensitive opportunity our community has to save the 101-acre West Mesa of the San Marcos Foothills in perpetuity for public use -- and why your support is needed NOW.
REGISTER HERE to attend
(After registering, you'll receive an email with the event's Zoom link)
Informal "Walk and Talk" with Dani Lynch
An informal walking tour with Dani Lynch of the San Marcos Foothills.
Informal "Walk and Talk" with Scott
An informal walking tour with Scott of the San Marcos Foothills.
Informal "Walk and Talk" with Julia Laraway
An informal walking tour with Julia Laraway of the San Marcos Foothills.
Geology Tour with Susie Bartz
The geology tour will focus on the overall landscape and the big processes - - tectonics, weathering, and erosion -- that shape it. The itinerary follows an easy 1-mile loop past boulders that show evidence of these processes and clues to their marine origin.