05/13/2026
A few updates from the Civic Joy Corps!
In April, we ran our first-ever Leadership Cohort, a 5-week program where 9 emerging neighborhood leaders built the skills, relationships, and confidence to lead their own community projects. Those folks are now getting ready to bring those projects to life in their neighborhoods. We’re talking painting staircases, hosting neighborhood dinners and workshops, and hanging string lighting along back alleys. I’m so proud of the people who took part in this program and can’t wait to see their projects come to fruition.
To keep up with their work, get weekly updates on volunteer opportunities, or to find out when applications open for the next Leadership Cohort, subscribe to the Civic Joy Corps newsletter.
I know there are a lot more of you out there who can bring community to your neighborhood. That’s why we’re launching a new grant program called the Meet Your Neighbors Fund to help you get started.
And when I say grant program, I mean teeny grant program. Many of us don’t know our neighbors, and we don’t need a huge nudge to change that. So we’re giving San Franciscans $100 to host simple gatherings that bring neighbors together.
Host a stoop hang, start a walking group, throw a block potluck, bring people together for a cleanup, a picnic, a game night, a planting day, or some other small act of local magic.
The goal is to make it a little easier for people to know their neighbors, and to turn more blocks, buildings, parks, and corners of the city into places where people feel connected.
If you have an idea for gathering your neighbors, we’d love to help you make it happen.
Apply for a teeny grant here. The application deadline is Wednesday May 20, 2pm PST.
