Join us in advancing a new era of civic leadership

We seek funding to propel us into the future as an effective advocacy & action partner.

  • We create accessible local opportunities for new leadership, dialogue across groups, & social justice advocacy.
  • We hold local civic leaders and public institutions accountable.
  • We empower community members on the ground to take action on the issues that matter to them.

Why the work is needed now:

  • At a moment of misinformation and chronic loneliness, we are expanding the aperture of what civic engagement means.
  • To build the infrastructure to do this effectively, we are leveling up our capacity.
  • The effects of this organizational change will be felt in the community and region as the HRC continues to develop as an anchor organization for combating these issues .

How you can help:

We seek funding partners to help us finance our work. We also seek organizations and businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities. If this opportunity seems like a good fit, please reach out at info@hrcsantamonica.org

Countering Truth Decay 2024

In an election year on September 11th 2024, the HRC held their second Countering Truth Decay event. This community conversation saw community leaders and professors address the issues of encountering misinformation and disinformation in our daily lives; it invited the audience to reflect on ways they can combat misinformation and disinformation locally.

Ray Block Jr. (RAND Corporation) addressed the audience virtually with a breakdown of what misinformation and disinformation is and how it affects the micro, meso, and macro levels. 

John Rogers (UCLA Professor) addressed the importance of creating truth by first creating safety for underserved communities in school settings. 

The event also featured six creative and thought provoking break out sessions presenting recipients of the Wellbeing Microgrant program:

  • Embodied Ancestral Listening – Camellia Lee & Ezekiel Goodwin
  • Homeless Myths And Stigma – Rebecca Cannara & Rue Mansour
  • Regenerative Civic Engagement – Indy Rishi Singh
  • Apoyándonos como padres ante la desinformación – Laura Hernandez
  • Voting: Fact or Fiction – Rene Buchanan
  • Voter Engagement: Empowering Youth and Unhoused Voices -Anya Baroff

Check out the welcome video: https://youtu.be/595YcGtsxH8

Below are a few resources:

Free Community Event- Countering Truth Decay

Register today /Regístrese hoy: truthdecay.eventbrite.com

How can our communities move forward together in a time of institutional mistrust and uncertainty? Join the Santa Monica Human Relations Council, the RAND Corporation, and the wider community for a free discussion on the topic of Truth Decay, October 30th, 2023.

Participants will have the chance to dive into Truth Decay – and hear from experts on how we might combat Truth Decay at the local, regional, and national levels.

¿Cómo pueden nuestras comunidades avanzar juntas en un tiempo de desconfianza institucional e incertidumbre? Únase al Consejo de Relaciones Humanas de Santa Mónica, la Corporación RAND y la comunidad en general para una discusión gratuita sobre el tema de Truth Decay: “Decadencia de la verdad” el 30 de octubre de 2023.

Los participantes tendrán la oportunidad de sumergirse en “Truth Decay / Decadencia de la verdad” y escuchar a expertos sobre cómo podríamos combatir Truth Decay a nivel local, regional y nacional.

Welcome Cohort 9!

We are excited to introduce the Wellbeing Microgrant Leaders of Round 9

Nos complace presentar a los líderes de Wellbeing Microgrant de la Ronda 9

While this round anticipates a mix of process projects and event focused project, it’s sure to be an exciting season of Wellbeing Microgrant projects this Fall! Stay tuned and follow us on social media or follow the Wellbeing Microgrant website to learn about event dates. If you would like to get in touch with any of these projects please email us at info@civicwellbeing.org!

Si bien esta ronda anticipa una mezcla de proyectos centrados en un proceso y proyectos centrados en eventos, ¡seguro que será una temporada emocionante de proyectos de Wellbeing Microgrants este otoño! Manténgase atento y síganos en las redes sociales o siga el sitio web de Wellbeing Microgrants para conocer las fechas de los eventos. Si desea ponerse en contacto con cualquiera de estos proyectos, envíenos un correo electrónico a info@civicwellbeing.org!

Virtual Help Session Today!

Do you need help with your project idea? Do you need more information about the Wellbeing Microgrant Program? Stop by our Virtual Help Session to get your questions answered by our Wellbeing Microgrants team. Don’t forget, the application deadline is quickly approaching on August 25th, 2023.

Link/ Enlace: https://bit.ly/3OIY0L4

¿Necesita ayuda con su idea de proyecto? ¿Necesita más información sobre el Programa de Wellbeing Microgrants? Pase por nuestra sesión de ayuda virtual para que nuestro equipo de Wellbeing Microgrants le ayude con sus preguntas. No olvide que la fecha límite de solicitud se acerca rápidamente el 25 de agosto de 2023.

Celebrating the end of Cohort 8

In June, the HRC and Civic Wellbeing Partners Celebrated the end of the Winter/Spring Season of Wellbeing Microgrants, inviting the Mayor of Santa Monica and other partners.

Many of these projects tapped into creating a stronger sense of unity through the arts and other activities to improve a range of: financial, environmental, physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. This season saw an increase of interaction across intergenerational participants where younger generations could teach older generations how to do something new. Older generations were invited to reconnect with community post-pandemic and found new purpose and inspiration to plan for their future. At least 60% of the projects addressed equity through language access and ALL projects brought forth access to materials and resources needed to continue activities beyond the project’s timeline.

Are you interested in making an impact in your community? Stay tuned for applications to re-open on July 24th!

Apply here

Apply for a 2023 Wellbeing Microgrant

Wellbeing Microgrants 2023 Applications are OPEN! Wellbeing Microgrants are a new approach to engage and support individuals across Santa Monica and throughout West LA, who are looking to make a positive change in their community. Designed to empower local action, Civic Wellbeing Partners provides up to $500 for ideas that are focused on small scale projects to improve community wellbeing. Get started with your application here.

Applications close March 3rd, 2023. Apply or share this incredible opportunity with your community today!


¡Las solicitudes de Wellbeing Microgrants 2023 están ABIERTAS! Wellbeing Microgrants se enfoca en involucrar y apoyar a miembros de la comunidad de Santa Mónica y en todo el oeste de Los Ángeles que buscan hacer un cambio positivo. Diseñado para empoderar a los residentes, Civic Wellbeing Partners otorga hasta $500 para ideas que se centran en acciones a pequeña escala para mejorar el bienestar de la comunidad. Comience con su aplicación aquí.

Las solicitudes cierran el 3 de marzo de 2023. ¡Aplica o comparte esta increíble oportunidad con su comunidad hoy!

Apply for a Wellbeing Microgrant- Fall 2022

Civic Wellbeing Partners is now accepting applications for their new cohort of Wellbeing Microgrant leaders! The Wellbeing Microgrant Program provides up to $500 for ideas that are focused on small scale projects to improve community wellbeing. Check out the new website and apply for a microgrant at: www.wellbeingmicrogrants.org

Applications are due Wednesday, August 31st, 2022.

Feel free to contact cityofwellbeing@gmail.com with any inquiries. Note: Former leaders who participated before 2022 are welcome to apply!

Building Community in Santa Monica

Free event on Wednesday, June 22 @ 5:30pm- Sunset, Ocean View Park, Santa Monica

Join the global movement on Wednesday, June 22nd at Ocean View Park from 5:30pm-Sundown.
At the Big Talk event, people will be asked to skip small talk when answering questions to fight loneliness, foster community belonging, and build curiosity and empathy in wake of the pandemic. This event is FREE!

Register on Eventbrite: Big Talk Santa Monica Summer Solstice
Address: 2701 Barnard Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Kicking off a new round of Wellbeing Microgrants!

To all who applied or spread the word about Microgrants this round: Thank you!

We are very excited for what this new group has to bring and will be sharing more about each of their individual projects in the coming weeks.

The Human Relations Council is the fiscal receiver of the Wellbeing Microgrants Program. The Microgrants were brought to the HRC by Civic Wellbeing Partners, and are made possible through funding by Cedars-Sinai.

To get connected with any of these great projects through June 2022, please email cityofwellbeing@gmail.com