$20,000 in anniversary grants handed out by Montecito Bank & Trust

10 organizations have been honored with the Montecito Bank and Trust Anniversary grants in an annual presentation Wednesday night inside the downtown Santa Barbara branch.

The grants totaled $20,000.

The bank says late founder Michael Towbes created the Anniversary Grants program to broaden the bank’s commitment to the communities and they include the bank’s associates in the direction of corporate giving.

All of this year’s winners were hand selected by the bank’s staff.

During the presentations each nonprofit was given time to speak about their organization and a video was played to highlight their work.

There was also a surprise Community Hero award. It was presented by bank Chairman and CEO Janet Garufis to Matt Genovese who recently ran for a full day to all the elementary schools in the area to raise money for classroom and fitness programs. His goal through donations and a Go Fund Me campaign was $20,000.

The event also gave many of the nonprofits a chance to meet each other and collaborate in the future.

Here is a list of the winners — each getting a check for $2,000 from Montecito Bank and Trust:

Alpha Resource Center of Santa Barbara Angels Foster Care of Santa Barbara C.A.R.E.4Paws Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute Crane Country Day School Elverhoj Museum of History & Art Isla Vista Youth Projects Kids & Families Together Santa Barbara Choral Society Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden Foundation