Our Local Impact

United Way of Santa Barbara County’s mission is to enhance the lives of children and families and strengthen communities by leading local programs and partnerships that focus on improving academic achievement, financial security, and community resiliency. Thanks to the support of our community partners and dedicated volunteers, United Way serves thousands of local residents each year.

In 2025, United Way continued to lead efforts to strengthen and expand access to high-quality, affordable childcare in Santa Barbara County. Nearly $1 million has been invested so far to support system improvements, facility grants, and family childcare scholarships. UCSB has felt the impact of this initiative firsthand: United Way provided a $69,000 grant to UCSB’s Orfalea Family Children’s Center that has increased capacity for infants and toddlers by 25%. Through this initiative, 257 childcare spaces have been created countywide.

Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, thousands of local families received free tax preparation, returning more than $2.7 million to the community. UCSB’s student-led VITA Club continues to be a valued partner, helping low-income community members file their taxes each year.

United Way continues to support academic achievement for low-income students across Santa Barbara County, ensuring every child has the resources and support they need to succeed. Through partnerships like ours, United Way is able to expand the reach and impact of programs such as the United Learning Center, which provides personalized, research-based literacy instruction for children facing learning challenges like dyslexia, and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which currently delivers a free book each month to 1,275 children ages 0–5, ensuring early access to learning opportunities. Together, these initiatives close achievement gaps, foster a lifelong love of learning, and give every child the chance to reach their full potential.