History of Philanthropy

Casa Dorinda was established as a non-profit retirement community in the 1980s by the Montecito Retirement Association’s Board of Directors. Because of our tax-exempt status and the generosity of our residents, there have been many successful philanthropic endeavors that have significantly enhanced our campus and enriched the lives of our residents and dedicated team members.

• The Casa Dorinda Medical Center opened in 1997, funded through a resident-led philanthropic effort. 

• The Casa Dorinda Scholarship Fund was established in the 1990s and has successfully awarded scholarships to our team members and their families every year since.

• In 2016, Casa Dorinda residents launched a capital campaign called the Legacy Campaign to fund the creation of the new Center for Personal and Memory Care. More than $9 million dollars was raised, and this beautiful new residence opened its doors in 2021.

• Our residents established the Employee Emergency Fund in 2019, which provides financial assistance for Casa Dorinda team members for unexpected emergencies. 

• The Sequoia Society, Casa Dorinda’s Legacy (Planned) Giving Program, was developed in 2020. More than 130 residents have included Casa Dorinda in their estate plans.