Non-profits get a share of $2-million in the annual Montecito Bank & Trust Dividends luncheon

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The annual Montecito Bank & Trust Dividends luncheon kicked off Thanksgiving week by donating $2-million to over 200 non-profits in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.

The bank marked the 20-year anniversary by doubling the annual donation of $1-million, with this latest event and the surprise announcement that this year there will be $2-million allocated. That makes the gift $21-million in 20 years.

The event filled the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort rotunda with representatives of each group along with a member of the bank at each table set up for a Thanksgiving luncheon. 200 non-profits were represented.

Many of the non-profits say the donation is a big boost to their budgets and helps them close out the current year while planning for the next year with some financial security.

The event also included the special Michael Towbes Community Impact Dividends awards, which began in 2017. $450 thousand has been allocated to a select group of organizations.

This year, five groups were chosen for this special award, and each received $100-thousand.

They were CommUnify in support of its Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) ProgramPacific Pride Foundation (PPF) in support of its LGBTQ+ Language Justice Project, Peoples' Self Help Housing Corporation in support of its Camino Scholars Education Program, The Arc Foundation of Ventura County in support of its Community Employment Services Program

The recipients from the dividends luncheon included programs that primarily help seniors, health care, the arts, children and the underserved.

All of those attending were treated to a Thanksgiving-style lunch with a complete turkey meal and a champagne toast.

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