Santa Barbara Revels Gets Major Grant as Organization Enters New Chapter

The Santa Barbara Revels, a 501C3 nonprofit based in the City of Santa Barbara, is pleased to announce the Award of a substantial $15,000 grant from the Hutton Parker Foundation for Core Operating Support. The Hutton Parker Foundation awarded the maximum level of funding possible in this program which focuses on local nonprofits that are established, well-managed, financially viable, and operate effective programs that serve Santa Barbara County. According to Carly Bass, Grants Administrator for Hutton Parker, 'The Foundation considers a Core Support Grant an investment in an operationally strong nonprofit organization. The goal is to have this investment help create and implement a targeted vision and mission driven business plan resulting in increased capacity and overall sustainability.' Founded in 2007, SB Revels is a nonprofit performing arts organization that presents activities, events and fully staged music, drama, and dance performances that entertain and educate as well as incorporating audience participation. SB Revels believes in fostering talent regardless of ability to pay and invites all qualified singers into the Chorus and has never charged participation fees. With no financial impediment to participation, cast and singers include low-income youth, seniors and disabled adults who might not otherwise have an opportunity to perform. For its 20th year of reveling in Santa Barbara, SB Revels has embarked on a year-long series of eight events that revolve around celebrating seasonal change, through a variety of cultural lenses. Every December, Revels events conclude with a fully-scripted and staged musical-dramatic performance that highlights various cultural, music and performing traditions in the context of celebrating the shortest day of the year, and centuries-old customs surrounding the Winter Solstice. This year's show, The Christmas Revels: A Victorian Celebration of the Winter Solstice, will take place at the Lobero Theater December 19-20th. This year also marks a significant milestone for the organization: Transitioning from a founder-led model to a sustainable, board-governed nonprofit agency as the Founder, Susan Keller, is retiring. This transition represents not only a leadership change, but a strategic opportunity to ensure long-term organizational resilience. This reality necessitates detailed analysis and planning to successfully transfer key roles/responsibilities, sustain established success and thrive in the future. HPF funds will facilitate critical support of these anticipated organizational changes: Maintain existing programming, mentor staff, conduct strategic planning, modernize systems and expand engagement events and professional coaching. SB Revels is grateful to Hutton Parker Foundation for this essential support over the next 18 months! Audition by September 15th for the Revels Winter Solstice show by contacting Suzanne Rorick at SBRevels.org or (805)364-4630.