Len Smolburd has been appointed chief program officer for the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara.
Mr. Smolburd completed his undergraduate studies at Cal State Fresno and his graduate studies at National University. He began his career at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, serving as teen services director and eventually director of citywide services.
In his current role as grants manager at the Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo, Mr. Smolburd directs an annual grants program that has awarded more than $8 million over the past two years. He has also managed an annual college readiness resource fair and developed a scholarship and mentorship program for foster-care youth pursuing college or vocational training, Tim Dougherty, director of marketing and communications for SFSB, said in a news release.
Mr. Smolburd’s will be appointed to his new role Monday, Mr. Dougherty said.
“Len comes to us with an unusual mix of skills and experience,” Victoria Juarez, president and CEO of SFSB, said in a statement. “The first person in his family to graduate college, he is passionate about serving as a catalyst for positive change in the lives of young people. His impressive energy and enterprising nature are sure to serve us very well.”The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara has awarded more than $123 million to more than 50,000 county students since its founding in 1962. The nonprofit also provides free financial and advising services. For more information, visit www.sbscholarship.org.
