Santa Monica Launches Coronavirus Relief Fund

SANTA MONICA, CA — The City of Santa Monica announced a new fund Thursday to provide local relief in response to the new coronavirus. The We Are Santa Monica Innovation Fund (Santa Monica COVID-19 Relief Fund) will provide "critically-needed funds" to organizations and the City to help in the following areas: obtain necessary sanitation and medical supplies; provide food to those experiencing food insecurity; provide shelter to those in need; and support volunteer relief efforts, the news release said.

The City of Santa Monica hopes to work with businesses, residents and community organizations to quickly recover from the coronavirus pandemic by connecting community needs with tangible resources, the City said.

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“Santa Monica residents are struggling to get by, put food on the table, and care for their loved ones,” Mayor Kevin McKeown said. “Through the generosity of our community, we will support the hardest hit, including local workers and persons experiencing homelessness. The We Are Santa Monica Innovation Fund will help us help each other.”

The fund will be managed through the California Community Foundation (CCF), a 501c3 public charity. Contributions to the California Community Foundation represent irrevocable gifts subject to the legal and fiduciary control of the foundation’s board of directors, the news release said. A donation to the We Are Santa Monica Innovation Fund is a donation to a donor-advised fund. The City will make recommendations to CCF regarding the distribution of the funds, which CCF will distribute to eligible nonprofits or uses by the City associated with COVID-19.

The City may also accept emergency donations. To donate or volunteer, visit the City's coronavirus webpage. For information on how to make a cash or in-kind donation to the City of Santa Monica for a particular use, contact Tim Dodd at [email protected].

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC's recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

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