The program, which has provided up to $7,000 annually to each of the city’s seven recognized neighborhood groups, was suspended earlier this year following concerns about political endorsements
The Santa Monica City Council voted to overhaul its Neighborhood Organization Grant Program, introducing new restrictions on political activity while updating how taxpayer funds are distributed to community groups.
The program, which has provided up to $7,000 annually to each of the city’s seven recognized neighborhood groups, was suspended earlier this year following concerns about political endorsements made during recent elections.
Under the new framework, the city will modernize the grant program by requiring formal participation agreements with all funded groups and explicitly prohibiting political endorsements. Groups that violate the rule could face a five-year suspension from the program and be removed from city publications.
City staff said the changes are intended to create a “clear boundary between civic participation and political activity” while maintaining support for events, newsletters, and local outreach.
Neighborhood organizations will still be able to advocate for issues affecting their communities, but taxpayer funds will be limited to “neutral civic activities” such as community cleanups, public safety events, and neighborhood meetings.
The seven recognized neighborhood associations — Friends of Sunset Park, North of Montana Association, Ocean Park Association, Pico Neighborhood Association, Mid City Neighbors, Northeast Neighbors, and the Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition — represent more than 50,000 households across the city.
City staff said the new approach will distribute funding based on the number of households within each neighborhood, rather than a flat rate per group. The goal, officials said, is to make the process more equitable and transparent while ensuring residents in all parts of Santa Monica have access to city information.
