Call for Applications for the New We Are Santa Monica Fund Advisory Board

Over the years, the City has developed programs and structures in various departments that provide the ability to raise funds through private donations. Some examples include the Library Foundation of Santa Monica, the Police Activities League (PAL), the Friends of the Santa Monica Animal Shelter, and the Give Santa Monica parks tribute program. The City has long aspired to a establish an innovative, consistent, and holistic approach to leveraging philanthropic donations to enhance social services provided to the community and to invest in Santa Monica’s open spaces, facilities, and infrastructure to ensure longevity and continued access for the community. 

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an outpouring of support from residents and members of the business community who wanted to donate goods, services, and monetary funds to aid recovery efforts, yet the City did not have a mechanism to receive general or emergency donations in a prudent and transparent way. To meet this need, in March 2020, the City adopted an Emergency Donations Policy and established the We Are Santa Monica Fund. This donor advised fund (DAF) is administered through the California Community Foundation (CCF). Consistent with prior Council direction, CCF awards donations to eligible non-profits and emergency City service support in four areas including: 

1. COVID-19 Relief for Santa Monica Residents donations support efforts to address impacts of COVID-19 on Santa Monica residents including housing insecurity and food insecurity. 

2. Business Recovery donations provide support to efforts aimed at recovery so our businesses can continue to serve the community. 

3. Black Agenda in Santa Monica donations are a vehicle to support the Black Agenda in Santa Monica and citywide efforts to advance racial equity in our community. For general donations made without a support project selected, 10% will be used to implement the Black Agenda in Santa Monica.

4. Food Pantry at Virginia Avenue Park donations help serve those facing food insecurity in our community. 

Between November 1 and December 31, 2020, community members contributed $1,153,145 to the We Are Santa Monica Fund, with a large majority of donations specifically designated to support the Virginia Avenue Park emergency food pantry, which provides over 300 Santa Monica households experiencing food insecurity with fresh groceries each week.  This impressive coming together of our community to support our neighbors in need demonstrates the viability of the We Are Santa Monica Fund as a long-term tool to support the desire of community members to give back locally.

The chart below depicts the role of the City Council, City Manager, and We Are Santa Monica Fund Advisory Board and the system for the DAF.

The We Are Santa Monica Fund Advisory Board will provide advice to the City Manager to allow timely recommendations, consistent with priority areas set by the City Council, regarding the distribution of funds, with regular reports to the Council and the community.  

Qualifications  

  1. Extensive knowledge of the Santa Monica community and the needs of its residents and businesses.  
  2. Santa Monica community stakeholder (resident, business owner, student of a Santa Monica school or college, or employee of a Santa Monica-based business) 
  3. Expertise in fundraising, non-profit operations and management, government and community relations, finance/investments, legal services, entrepreneurship, or other relevant expertise or unique qualifications that would benefit the Fund. 
  4. Commitment to actively engage in fundraising efforts. 
  5. Must not currently be serving on a City of Santa Monica appointed or elected board, commission, or task force or the City Council. 
  6. Must not currently be employed by the City of Santa Monica, with the exception of staff appointed to the advisory board in an ex officio capacity. 

Duties

In order to continue the success of the We Are Santa Monica Fund, enhance community engagement in these efforts, and adhere to best practices for DAFs, staff proposes to establish a five-member We Are Santa Monica Fund Advisory Board to advise the City Manager in respect to the following: 

  1. Establish bylaws for the new advisory board and select a chairperson and officers. 
  2. Board members will share responsibilities for coordinating, planning, and conducting board meetings, including but not limited to handling meeting logistics, agenda planning and preparation, and recording meeting minutes.     
  3. Provide input on allocation of funds to non-profit community partners and community-focused programs and services. 
  4. Enhance community and donor awareness of the Fund, consistent with fundraising restrictions and best practices for DAFs. 
  5. Guide the future of the advisory board and evaluate whether to transition from a DAF administered through CCF to an independent 501(c)(3).  

Process for Appointment 

Individuals interested in serving on the We Are Santa Monica Fund Advisory Board should complete the online application no later than April 6 2021. The City Manager and a review panel comprised of City staff will evaluate applications and interview final candidates to create a board that is diverse in background and experience.  It is anticipated that the advisory board would begin meeting in April 2021.