Meet the first round of 150th anniversary microgrant recipients and learn how to participate
August 28, 2025 2:19 PM
by Allison Ostrovsky
The city of Santa Monica kicked off its 150th anniversary in July and the celebration will continue through December with an array of city- and community-led events honoring the people, places and stories that have shaped Santa Monica over the past 150 years.
As part of the celebration, the city is offering microgrants between $500 and $5,000 to support free, public events throughout the rest of 2025.
The microgrants run on a monthly cycle, and the first round of grants have been awarded!
Out of 19 applicants, the review panel selected five – with a total of $12,000 to be distributed – that best aligned with one or more of the goals of the 150th anniversary initiative: celebrating community history and diversity, honoring achievement, addressing inequities and fostering connection.
First Round of Funded Projects:
- Chez Jay’s 66th anniversary celebration, which took place on Aug. 9 with music, a Route 66 car display, and an interactive walk-through of Santa Monica history.
- Playwrights on Banned Books, a staged reading of short plays inspired by the impact of banned books (September and October, dates TBD).
- Santa Monica Playhouse’s original performance honoring influential local figures through the eyes of multiple generations (Dec. 1 - 7)
- The Crow’s Santa Monica Icons, a live showcase of comedy, music and cabaret acts celebrating local icons and the city’s 150-year legacy (Oct. 25)
- Santa Monica History Museum’s “When the City Speaks” took place on July 26 and was a community conversation centered around the book “When the City Speaks,” which highlights personal stories and local history from Santa Monica and the Westside.
Get Involved:
Apply for future microgrants
There are still three more rounds of microgrants ahead! If you have an idea for an event, program or project, apply through the Event Microgrant Application. Events must connect to the goals of the 150th Anniversary, so please read the criteria carefully before submitting. We’re excited to see your creative ideas and invite everyone to take part.
Add your event to the community calendar
Even if you’re not applying for funding, you can submit your event to the Community Calendar Event Submission Form. If it celebrates Santa Monica’s community, we’d love to include it.
Explore upcoming events
Check out the 150th Shared Community Events Calendar to see all the anniversary-related events happening now through December across Santa Monica. If you or someone you know is interested in applying for a microgrant, there will be three additional grant cycles in September, October and November, with applications due by the 10th of each month.
Learn more about Santa Monica’s 150th anniversary celebration – including how to apply for microgrants, view upcoming events, and add your own – at santamonica150.com.
Authored By
Allison Ostrovsky
Cultural Affairs Administrator