Visit Santa Barbara
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
WE STIMULATE NEW OVERNIGHT TRAVEL TO SANTA BARBARA SOUTH COAST THROUGH ADVERTISING, CONTENT MARKETING, TRAVEL MEDIA RELATIONSHIPS, MEETINGS PROMOTIONS, AND TRAVEL TRADE DEVELOPMENT.
- Income
- $11.3 million
- Spending
- $11.2 million
- Employees
- 18
- Volunteers
- 57
- Highest pay
- $349,698, president/ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- OUR MARKETING CAMPAIGNS ARE COMPRISED OF TWO PRIMARY DIVISIONS: LEISURE TRAVEL ADVERTISING, AND CONTENT MARKETING. THE FIRST IS TARGETED TO LIKELY TRAVELERS IN KEY CALIFORNIA AND DIRECT FLIGHT MARKETS USING PRINT AND DIGITAL ADVERTISING. THE LATTER PROVIDES RICHER STORYTELLING TO ENCOURAGE TRAVELERS TO PLAN AN OVERNIGHT TRIP TO THE SANTA BARBARA SOUTH COAST. PRIMARY ELEMENTS OF OUR CONTENT MARKETING INCLUDE SOCIAL MEDIA STORIES, TRIP PLANNING IDEAS SUCH AS BUSINESS LISTINGS AND ITINERARIES ON SANTABARBARACA.COM AND DISTRIBUTION OF OUR 200 PAGE VISITOR MAGAZINE.
- PUBLIC RELATIONS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR GENERATING NON-PAID PUBLICITY THAT INSPIRES TRAVEL TO OUR REGION. TACTICS INCLUDE PITCHING STORIES TO NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISTS AND EDITORS, HOSTING VISITING TRAVEL WRITERS WHO ARE ON ASSIGNMENT, AND PROVIDING ASSETS SUCH AS PHOTOGRAPHY AND FACT CHECKING.
- SALES IS COMPRISED OF TWO DIVISIONS: GROUP SALES AND TRAVEL TRADE SALES. THE FIRST SEEKS TO ATTRACT GROUPS OF 10 OR MORE FOR MEETINGS, CONFERENCES, INCENTIVE TRAVEL ETC. THE LATTER WORKS WITH TRAVEL AGENTS AND TOUR OPERATORS TO BOOK PACKAGED AND INDEPENDENT TRAVEL TO SANTA BARBARA. COMMON TACTICS FOR BOTH DIVISIONS INCLUDE SALES MISSIONS, SITE INSPECTIONS AND TRADE SHOW EXHIBITIONS ACROSS THE U.S. AND SELECT INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1988.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.