The Ann Jackson Family Foundation was founded to continue the philanthropic legacy of Ann Gavit Jackson and Charles H. Jackson Jr. in Santa Barbara. Established in 1978, the foundation focuses on improving the community through grants in Health and Human Services, The Arts, Civic and Community Infrastructure, and Education, primarily targeting Southern Santa Barbara County. The foundation honors the Jacksons' commitment to philanthropy and their involvement in various local endeavors, including ranching, horse breeding and racing, and real estate investments.
The Ann Jackson Family Foundation provides grants to non-profit organizations with the aim of enhancing the community's well-being. It offers grants of $10,000 or more, including capital requests, and encourages the use of the Common Grant Application. For grants under $10,000, smaller organizations with limited experience can submit a simplified request through a 1-2 page letter. The foundation evaluates grant requests on a rolling basis throughout its fiscal year, from June 1 to May 31. Despite having no paid staff and relying on family members to volunteer their time for proposal reviews, the foundation remains dedicated to its mission, albeit with potential delays in the evaluation process due to the volume of requests.