The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) has always been powered by vision, passion, and community. Now, as we create The McHurley Film Center, we are embarking on the most ambitious chapter in our history — and we invite you to join us.
Our campaign goal is $25 million, with $20 million dedicated to construction and $5 million reserved in a building maintenance endowment to ensure The McHurley Film Center’s sustainability for generations to come. This is a limited-time, transformative campaign — not an appeal for annual operating support, but a one-time opportunity to elevate SBIFF to new heights and secure our future.
Ways to Support
We encourage gifts pledged and fulfilled over a five-year period (2025–2030 / 2026–2031), making it possible for donors to stretch their impact. Contributions can be made in several ways:
Cash gifts for immediate impact (i.e., $20k per year for five years – total pledge $100k).
Appreciated assets or securities, which may provide tax advantages, including charitable deductions and the potential to avoid capital gains taxes.
Planned gifts such as bequests and estate gifts that cost nothing to the donor, but create a lasting legacy.
Every gift brings us closer to opening the doors of The McHurley Film Center and to ensuring its long-term vitality.
Donor Spotlight
“Now is the optimum time to step up! The Film Center is more than a building — it’s a home for creativity, a gathering place for our community to be entertained, educated and inspired by the cinematic arts, and be a beacon for the next generation of storytellers. Supporting this campaign means leaving a lasting mark on Santa Barbara’s cultural legacy." — Nora McNeely Hurley, Campaign Donor
Recognition Opportunities
In gratitude for your generosity, naming opportunities are available within The McHurley Film Center. These include prominent spaces such as auditoriums and gathering areas — offering a chance for your support to be remembered for decades to come. Please reach out to learn more.
Take the Next Step
Together, we can build a cultural landmark that will inspire, educate, and connect our community for generations to come.
Our campaign goal is $25 million, with $20 million dedicated to construction and $5 million reserved in a building maintenance endowment to ensure The McHurley Film Center’s sustainability for generations to come. This is a limited-time, transformative campaign — not an appeal for annual operating support, but a one-time opportunity to elevate SBIFF to new heights and secure our future.
Ways to Support
We encourage gifts pledged and fulfilled over a five-year period (2025–2030 / 2026–2031), making it possible for donors to stretch their impact. Contributions can be made in several ways:
Cash gifts for immediate impact (i.e., $20k per year for five years – total pledge $100k).
Appreciated assets or securities, which may provide tax advantages, including charitable deductions and the potential to avoid capital gains taxes.
Planned gifts such as bequests and estate gifts that cost nothing to the donor, but create a lasting legacy.
Every gift brings us closer to opening the doors of The McHurley Film Center and to ensuring its long-term vitality.
Donor Spotlight
“Now is the optimum time to step up! The Film Center is more than a building — it’s a home for creativity, a gathering place for our community to be entertained, educated and inspired by the cinematic arts, and be a beacon for the next generation of storytellers. Supporting this campaign means leaving a lasting mark on Santa Barbara’s cultural legacy." — Nora McNeely Hurley, Campaign Donor
Recognition Opportunities
In gratitude for your generosity, naming opportunities are available within The McHurley Film Center. These include prominent spaces such as auditoriums and gathering areas — offering a chance for your support to be remembered for decades to come. Please reach out to learn more.
Take the Next Step
Together, we can build a cultural landmark that will inspire, educate, and connect our community for generations to come.