STEP-BY-STEP

Apply for a grant to beautify your storefront facade

Get up to $20,000 for exterior improvements to your small business

The SF Shines Facade Improvement Program provides financial assistance to small businesses that want to enhance the exterior appearance of their storefronts. This initiative aims to help local businesses that will increase the vibrancy of the neighborhood. The program will fund comprehensive exterior improvements that will transform the storefront.

Program Goals:

  1. Improve the physical appearance of commercially-zoned storefronts
  2. Encourage economic activity and increase foot traffic
  3. Enhance the look and feel of the commercial corridor

Eligible facade improvements

  1. Exterior Lighting
  2. Window Replacement/Anti-Graffiti Film
  3. Door Replacement
  4. Exterior Tile
  5. Neon sign restoration
  6. Awnings & Signage
  7. Exterior Painting
  8. Murals (Arts Commission approval required)
  9. Planters

    NOTE: Permits and/or approvals may be required for storefront improvements.

Eligible purchases

  1. Professional design services
    1. Up to $10,000
  2. Construction materials
  3. Off-site manufacturing
    1. Signage/awning
    2. Neon signs
    3. Windows
  4. Fixtures
    1. Lighting
    2. Planters

Ineligible

  1. On-site labor or services
  2. Security grills/gates
  3. Security cameras
  4. Outdoor furniture
  5. Parklets
  6. Permit fees

    NOTE: Itemize each invoice to separate labor and materials when working with a licensed contractor.

    NOTE: Existing awnings that have received a notice of violation must apply to the     Awning Amnesty Program.
1

Check eligibility

Time:10 minutes

Your business must have:

  • A ground-floor street-facing physical storefront that provides goods and/or services to the public:
  • Less than $5M in gross revenue on your most recent tax return
  • 24 months or more remaining on your lease OR have been in operation for more than 20 years OR business owner is ALSO the property owner
  • Permission from the property owner to make improvements
  • No open notices of violation with any city department unless your project is to fix that violation
  • Nonprofits are only eligible for up to $10,000

Ineligible

  • Formula retail
  • Parking lots
  • Second-floor businesses
  • Property owners
  • Businesses inside malls
  • Mobile businesses
NOTE: Tenderloin Facade Improvement Grant recipients are not eligible.

NOTE: ADA and accessibility furniture and equipment are not covered under this grant. To be reimbursed for the above, apply for the ADA Barrier Removal Grant.

NOTE: Shared Spaces projects are not covered under this grant. Read information about Shared Spaces compliance.
2

Attend an informational webinar

Optional
Time:1 hour
Businesses that are interested in applying to the program can attend an optional informational webinar to learn more about the program. Businesses can sign up for any of the sessions below:

Monday, April 14th

Friday, May 2nd

If you need additional assistance in another language, please contact sfshines@sfgov.org with subject line "language assistance needed - SF Shines Facade."

For all other questions, please contact sfshines@sfgov.org.
3

Fill out the interest form

Time:15 minutes
Business owners who are interested in beautifying their storefront must submit an interest form before formally applying. The interest form will gauge project readiness, feasibility, and impact to the community. Submitting an interest form does NOT guarantee that you will be invited to apply.

You will need to answer questions about:

  • Business information
    • You will need a registered and active Business Account Number (BAN)
  • Proposed improvements
    • Project cost
    • Timeline
    • Feasibility
    • Impact

What Happens Next?

  • The SF Shines team will review the interest form within 15 business days. If you qualify, you will be invited to complete the full application. If your project is not ready, you will receive a tailored project readiness assessment to help you get ready. Once you complete the action items in the project readiness assessment, you may be eligible to apply.
You can learn more information on what will be evaluated within the interest form.

You can fill out the interest form in English here: Interest form

Puedes llenar el formulario en Español aquí: Formulario

您可以在這裡用中文填寫意向表: Interest form
4

Receive link to apply

Time:30 minutes
Once you are invited to apply, you will receive a link and you will be asked to provide full details on your project, timeline, and budget. Receiving a link to apply does NOT guarantee you will receive funding. If you hire contractors who will purchase construction materials, they will need to be licensed and must provide detailed invoice(s).

Information you will need to provide:

  • Detailed description of your proposed improvements
  • Estimated total project cost
  • Contractor information, including license number
  • Itemized cost estimates - We will only pay for:
    • Construction materials
    • Professional design services
    • Off-site manufacturing and repairs
    • Fixtures
  • Photos of your current storefront BEFORE construction
  • Written approval from property owner that is signed and dated
  • Permit number(s), if applicable
  • Business information
  • 2023 OR 2024 household tax return (Form 1040), if applicable

What happens after you apply?

  • Applications will be reviewed within 30 days. If approved, you must meet with a small business permit specialist to ensure you understand the required permits, approvals, and costs associated with your beautification project.
  • If approved, please note that applicants will receive 25% upfront (up to $5,000) of their estimated total project costs. If you qualify as low-income, you can receive 50% upfront (up to $10,000) of your estimated total project costs.
5

Meet with a permit specialist, if needed

Time:Based on your project scope

The Office of Small Business has dedicated permit specialists who can help you navigate the permitting process for your proposed beautification improvements.

You will need to schedule a time with a permit specialist if:

  • You have not started construction and need permits.

You may NOT need to schedule a time with a permit specialist if:

  • You have started construction and have all the permits needed for your project. The SF Shines team and permit specialist(s) will verify that you have the required permits for your improvements.

Schedule a meeting with a permit specialist

Permit specialist appointment

You can learn more about the Office of Small Business below.

Office of Small Business
6

Funding determination

Time:30 days

Once you submit an application, the SF Shines team will review it within 30 days and provide you with a decision.

If awarded, the SF Shines team will connect you with a nonprofit organization that will provide you with 25%* (up to $5,000) as an initial investment for your exterior improvements. Businesses will need to provide additional information to the nonprofit organization to receive payment.

Additional documentation needed, including, but not limited to:

  • W-9
  • Signed grant agreement
  • Banking information (direct deposit)
*If you qualify as low-income, you can receive 50% (up to $10,000) of your estimated total project costs.
7

Begin your storefront improvements

Time:Up to 6 months

After you have obtained the proper permits, you can now begin construction! If you have already started construction, you can continue as planned.

Construction must be completed within 6 months.

Expect regular communication with the SF Shines team to ensure your beautification project is completed on time.

What happens after you finish construction?

After you finish construction, you will be eligible for the final payment based on your approved total cost of your beautification project. You will need to submit:

  1. Photos of the completed facade improvement project
    1. Photos may be used for marketing purposes
  2. Paid receipts that were paid on or after your award letter date

A member of the SF Shines team may schedule a time to visit your storefront and see the improvements in-person.

8

Receive final payment

Time:30 days

After construction is completed, you will receive your final payment. You will have to submit paid invoices to receive final payment.


NOTE: Paid invoices must be dated on or after your award letter date. Invoices that were paid before the award letter will NOT be considered.

NOTE: We reserve the right to request further proof of services or purchased materials, including photos, bank statements, or canceled checks.