About This Project
For over 50 years, the Isla Vista Food Co-op has served as a community-owned source of local, sustainable food. Now, we face a crisis — and we need your help to keep the Co-op alive.
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Help Save the Isla Vista Food Co-op
Help Us Reach Our Emergency Goal
Our goal is to raise $50,000 per month this summer stabilize operations and secure long-term sustainability. Every donation, no matter the size, directly supports our ability to remain open and continue serving the community.
Why We’re Fundraising
The Co-op has been hit hard by economic shifts over the past few years.In 2025, the Board stepped into manage to reverse the trend and bring the co-op back into sustainability.
At the end of 2025, we made the crucial decision to close the IVFC’s Downtown Market in Santa Barbara. Though the Downtown Market connected us with the greater SB community and it won Best Corner Store from the SB Independent 2 years in a row, it was ultimately unable to realize its goal of contributing to the success of the co-op.
Since January of 2026 we have refocused our mission in Isla Vista. The past 6 month have put us on the road to recovery – but we enter the summer (our slowest season) with little operating cash to cover expenses.
Your donation supports our mission and gives the co-op crucial time to plan, improve, and implement further recovery efforts into the fall. Together, we can stabilze the co-op for generations to come!
What’s at Stake
If the Co-op closes, our community loses:
The last community-owned grocery store in Santa Barbara CountyWalkable access to fresh food in Isla Vista, and the only full produce department for IV residentsA trusted market for local farmers and small food producers15 values-driven, well-paying jobsA space for education, cultural events, and grassroots organizing
A 50-Year Cooperative Legacy
The Isla Vista Food Co-op was founded in 1974, born from grassroots environmental activism following the devastating 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill. We began as a buying club — neighbors pooling resources to access healthy, ethical foo...
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Why is the Co-op fundraising right now?
The Isla Vista Food Co-op is facing a financial emergency due to rising costs, shifting shopping habits, and ongoing economic pressures. We’re raising funds to stay open, stabilize operations, and preserve this vital community-owned resource.
Where will my donation go?
Every donation supports critical needs like payroll, inventory, utilities, and operational costs that keep the Co-op running day to day. Your support helps us continue serving fresh, local, and ethical food to the community.
Are donations tax-deductible?
Donations made directly through this website are not tax-deductible. However, gifts over $500 can be made tax-deductible through our fiscal sponsorship with the Isla Vista Community Development Corporation, a registered 501(c)(3). [Click here to donate through PayPal. Be sure to note that your donation is for the IVFC.]
How much money does the Co-op need to raise?
Our goal is to raise $240,000 by the end of the year to stabilize operations, rebuild our reserves, and secure long-term sustainability.
Can I support the Co-op in other ways besides donating?
Absolutely. Becoming an owner, shopping regularly, sharing our message, or volunteering your time are all powerful ways to support the Co-op.
I already donated elsewhere, does that count toward the goal?
Yes! If you’ve donated through another channel (e.g., check, in-store, GoFundMe or through the IVCDC), your contribution is part of our total fundraising progress. We’ll include an estimated combined total on the site soon.
Can I make a recurring monthly donation?
Yes! This donation page allows donors to elect for recurring donations.
What happens if the fundraising goal isn’t met?
We’re committed to full transparency. If we fall short, the board and management team will present options to members in a special meeting.
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