Kenneth Kahn, secretary-treasurer of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ Business Committee, speaks during the tribal foundation’s inaugural luncheon at The Willows restaurant.

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians awarded $148,000 in grant checks to nonprofit groups in Santa Barbara County during its foundation’s inaugural semi-annual luncheon event.

More than 20 local groups, including Buellton Rotary, Santa Ynez Valley People Helping People, Santa Barbara Police Foundation, Santa Barbara County Education Office, and American Indian Health and Services had representatives in attendance at the April 14 luncheon at The Willows restaurant in the Chumash Casino Resort.

Kenneth Kahn, secretary-treasurer of the tribe’s Business Committee, said the event was meant to celebrate the special place each group holds in the community.

“We thank you for all that you do,” he said to the audience of about 50.
It was not long ago that some of the organizations receiving funding from the tribe were helping struggling tribal members, Kahn said.

Today, the tribe, with the success of the casino resort on its Santa Ynez reservation, is able to give back, he said.

Hosted by the tribe’s Business Committee, which governs the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation, the event featured Craig Valentine, 1999 world champion of public speaking for Toastmasters International.
Valentine told the audience “don’t get ready, stay ready” and gave tips on how to be motivated and how to motivate others.

For its first funding cycle of 2011, which closed on March 31, the tribe received almost 300 requests for in-kind donations, volunteer hours, event sponsorships, and program and capital grants.

So far this year, $413,000 has been donated to community organizations, according to Veronica Sandoval, the foundation’s executive director.
The tribe has donated more than $14 million to local groups, organizations and schools throughout the years.