James S Bower Foundation
The James S. Bower Foundation is a private foundation based in Santa Barbara, CA that makes grants focused on youth/health/education, environment, and end-of-life care. The site lists the foundation office at 26 West Micheltorena Street, publishes recent grant awards, and provides application guidance.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A California-based nonprofit (especially Santa Barbara County) working in education, youth services, environmental conservation, or palliative/health care with demonstrated local impact and capacity for $25K–$400K grants.
Good Fit
- • Programs or projects serving Santa Barbara County or the Central Coast of California.
- • Work in youth development, early childhood education, climate/environment, or advance/palliative care.
- • Requests for core operating support or multi-year program funding in the typical grant size bands observed.
- • Evidence of measurable community impact and partnership with other local organizations.
Geography
Giving is strongly concentrated in California, with about 92% of dollars staying in-state despite grants recorded to recipients in seven states.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 60 distinct recipients and similar counts in prior years, indicating a broad and diverse recipient set rather than a tiny closed circle.
New Applicants
Across three years the funder added roughly 19 new recipients in the latest year (about 32% new), and the foundation publishes application guidance and contact emails, so unfamiliar applicants have a realistic path into the portfolio.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
