Santa Barbara Foundation
Using their new messaging from Mission Minded in their 2025 spring appeal The Santa Barbara Foundation saw a 35% increase in giving from their spring appeal.
Sector
Deliverables
Fundraising Campaigns
Countywide impact, city-only reputation.
Santa Barbara Foundation’s bold new strategic plan pushed the institution to serve the entire county, not just those within the city of Santa Barbara. However, while the Foundation’s impact was countywide, its reputation was not. Santa Barbara Foundation needed a brand strategy and messaging that reached across the entire region.
The bridge across an unequal region.
In a region marked by significant differences in income, language, race, and political affiliation, Santa Barbara Foundation had the opportunity to be positioned as the bridge that brought everyone together to build community in this area that is loved by many.
Surfaced unifying language.
Deep research—surveys, one-on-one interviews, and focus groups across the county—surfaced the language that could unite a community as diverse in income, language, and politics as Santa Barbara’s. Rather than speaking to any one constituency, the new messaging positioned the Foundation as THE organization with the expertise, connections, and reach to serve the entire region, from the city center to the farthest corners of the county.
35% increase in spring-appeal giving.
Santa Barbara Foundation saw a 35% increase in year over year donations during their spring fundraising campaigns after leveraging Mission Minded’s brand, message, and tagline work.
