CFF Fall 2025 Workshop Draws 292 Grant Applications

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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Community Financial Fund (CFF) hosted its Fall 2025 Grant Workshop this month, drawing a robust response from the community with 292 grant applications submitted for this cycle. The event served as both an informative session for prospective grantees and a valuable opportunity to share financial literacy resources.

One of the highlights of the workshop was the updated presentation by CFF’s Information Officer, Deepthy Mukkara. In addition to revising existing content, Mukkara introduced a new segment on Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services. The slide deck explored the growing popularity of BNPL programs and provided a balanced look at their pros, such as interest-free installment options, and cons, including the potential for debt accumulation and impact on credit.

Attendees responded positively to the educational components of the workshop, particularly the sessions focused on investing and credit card use. These sections sparked lively discussion and were noted as especially useful by many participants.

The CFF remains committed to not only funding community initiatives, but also supporting financial empowerment through ongoing outreach and education.

For questions, contact us at as-cffinquiries@ucsb.edu.

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