Art From Scrap Receives Grant from Social Venture Partners

Social Venture Partners Santa Barbara (SVPSB) awarded Art From Scrap for its commitment to educating children about ecology and teaching them how their actions affect the environment. Every year the Art From Scrap (AFS) Green Schools program educates over 11,000 children about the 3 R’s, natural resources, healthy watersheds, composting, and organic gardening. In the AFS Green Schools classes and presentations taught at the Watershed Resource Center, AFS ReUse Store, and local schools children learn that they do have a choice and the power to create positive environmental change.

Social Venture Partners Santa Barbara is a network of individuals who combine skills and knowledge to offer investees their collective expertise in best business practices. The SVPSB model of giving differs from traditional philanthropy in that it is a multi-year program that offers time, money, and connections to investees with the goal of strengthening their organizations as a whole.

Cay Sanchez, executive director of Art from Scrap, says, “We are excited about working with Social Venture Partners SB. Art From Scrap is a perfect fit for their 2011 focus of energy and the environment. We look forward to a productive and mutually satisfying relationship and are grateful for this opportunity.”

About Art From Scrap: Art From Scrap is Santa Barbara’s Environmental Education and Art Center. The Art From Scrap Green Schools Program reaches over 11,000 children yearly, through lessons and field trips covering the topics of Natural Resources, the 3 R’s, Composting, Water Quality, and School Gardens. The AFS Reuse Store and Art Programs encourage kids and adults to rethink the way they view “discarded” materials and to seek creative solutions for their reuse through Art Workshops, Birthday Parties, free art activities at many community events, and at exhibitions at the AFS Gallery.