Mayor’s office awarded $3.4M Bloomberg innovation grant; committee asks for oversight and priorities

The committee voted to forward to the full board an ordinance authorizing the mayor to accept approximately $3,400,000 in grant funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies to stand up an Office of Innovation and to create five new position authorities.

Sophia Kittler of the mayor’s office said the three‑year grant (Oct. 1, 2021–Aug. 31, 2024) funds an eight‑person innovation team—five positions paid by the grant and three existing civic‑innovation staff pulled into the office—to run short “strike team” projects that use data, human‑centered design and technology to address cross‑cutting city issues. Kittler said the effort is intended to coordinate existing capabilities (Digital Services, DataSF, Office of Civic Innovation and city performance) and elevate projects that require cross‑departmental policy attention.

The Budget and Legislative Analyst noted the grant does not fully fund the positions created in the salary ordinance and estimated a $1,100,000 match will be required; the mayor’s office said it intends to pursue fundraising to meet that match but acknowledged positions would be permanent and could require general‑fund support at the end of the grant term—a policy matter for the Board of Supervisors.

Supervisors sought clarity on early priorities and asked for reporting and briefings; Kittler said priorities were not final and that the mayor will submit a priorities letter and likely brief the Board within months. Committee members expressed support and asked that the office provide periodic updates; the committee forwarded the ordinance to the full board with a positive recommendation (3 ayes).

What’s next: The mayor’s office will accept the grant if the Board approves the ordinance, hire or reassign staff, and submit a priorities letter and follow‑up briefings about early projects and deliverables.