Kenny Slaught elaborates that Santa Barbara’s absolute community-centered approach is a result of the pledge to charity by the city’s civic bureaucrats, businesspersons and people. The city’s ongoing tradition of nonprofit activity and comprehensive giving is realized through many charities, volunteer groups and community undertakings, and goes back to the year 1928 with the commencement of the Santa Barbara Foundation. Agile local nonprofits diminish the need for public officials to request help from national foundations, and make the needs of the community a major priority.