Cities of Service provides technical assistance for the Wellbeing Microgrants, a new approach to engage and support Santa Monica residents looking to make a positive change in their community. In summer 2018, Mayor Ted Winterer delivered Wellbeing Microgrants to eight community members to implement their ideas for small-scale action projects to improve community wellbeing. The projects focus on issues of trust, loneliness, inclusivity, and social interaction; each offers a unique approach to community building. Some common themes surfaced too, including amplifying intercultural dialogue, using food as a way to bring people together, turning underutilized spaces into community resources, and using skill training to combat loneliness.
1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Mayor Gleam Davis
Mayor Gleam Davis was elected to Santa Monica’s City Council in 2009 and appointed Mayor in December 2018. She is committed to fostering a sustainable city focused on wellbeing.
Chief of Civic Wellbeing Julie Rusk
Julie Rusk is Santa Monica’s Chief of Civic Wellbeing. She has led groundbreaking, nationally-recognized efforts tackling social impact initiatives most recently developing first-of-its-kind wellbeing index from Bloomberg Philanthropies innovation prize.
“Community wellbeing depends on everyone; city government alone cannot create it. If we encourage everybody in the community to think about and contribute to community wellbeing, our Santa Monica will be a reflection of the best of each of us. Our new initiative to engage and support Santa Monica residents through Wellbeing Microgrants encourages individuals to create homegrown opportunities to build a more-connected community. The City awards up to $500 to individuals to implement ideas that focus on small scale action to improve wellbeing in their neighborhood. In doing so, we empower residents, create community leaders, and strengthen our city."
Mayor Gleam Davis