After Santa Barbara County faced a devastating year of disasters including the Thomas Fire and subsequent Montecito mudslides, the Santa Barbara Bowl felt compelled to support the community. The Santa Barbara County Board of supervisors quickly approved up to four additional concerts for the 2018 Bowl concert season.

Musicians Jack Johnson, Katy Perry, and Brad Paisley held three separate sold out benefit concerts with all proceeds donated to directly support local residents' needs following the disasters. Individually and separate from the Bowl, each artist identified their own organizations and manner of donating to the community.

Following the three benefits, the Bowl was able to donate a total of $112,000 to Carpinteria School District, Cold Spring School, Montecito Union School, and the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade. The Santa Barbara Bowl Board of Directors selected the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade to receive all proceeds from the Jack Johnson and Friends benefit on March 18, due to pressing needs.

Following the Katy Perry and Brad Paisley shows that took place May 12 and May 19, the Bowl carefully chose to focus on schools that were impacted by the fire and debris flow, while also aligning with the Bowl's mission and outreach programs focusing on supporting performing arts in local schools. Carpinteria School District received funds to launch an arts program for all schools in the district, while Cold Spring School and Montecito Union School, also demonstrating significant needs, received the remaining balance of the net proceeds from both concerts.

“The Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation is honored to be a part of this great community and humbled by the amazing spirit everyone has displayed over these past months," said Tobe Plough, Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation president. "We are happy to be a part of the healing process and appreciative of the amazing opportunity these artists provided for us to help those in need. We commend the County supervisors’ vision and thank the dedication of Bowl volunteers and leadership who made this a successful endeavor.”