SERVICE
Apply for a small business improvement grant through SF Shines
Get up to $10,000 in reimbursements for interior upgrades for your storefront
What to know
About the program
The program provides funds to help businesses with interior improvements and equipment purchases.
Eligible purchases
- Professional design services
- Equipment
- Fixtures and Furniture
- Construction materials
NOTE: All invoices must be itemized to separate labor and materials.
Not eligible
- Onsite construction/repair/installation labor
- Items unrelated to business operations
- Consumable goods, merchandise to be sold
- Bills
- Security cameras
- Payroll costs, rent, and/or utilities
- Shared Spaces-related expenses
- ADA-related expenses
- Permit fees
Timeline
Due to the high volume of applications received, we will close the application portal once we reach 360 applications. We have reached 360 applications and will not be accepting any more.
Ensure a complete application that meets all eligibility requirements to prevent disqualification.
We review applications within 15 days.
Approved applicants will receive grant funds within 30 days of applying if you've submitted all your financial documents and completed all required steps for direct deposit.
NOTE: You will not be eligible if you received an SF Shines grant on or after July 1st, 2022.
What to do
Check if your business is eligible
Your business must have:
One or more of the following:
- An owner from a low-moderate income household
- A storefront located in a low-moderate area
- A storefront within designated downtown areas
Additional eligibility criteria:
- A street-level storefront
- 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
- Not received funding from any SF Shines Grant program on or after July 1st, 2022
- Proof of cost of project, including model numbers and prices
Ineligible applications include:
- Fixture and equipment purchases related to ADA compliance (To be reimbursed, apply for the ADA Barrier Removal Grant.)
- Shared Spaces projects (Read information about Shared Spaces compliance.)
- Exterior facade projects (SF Shines Facade Program coming soon.)
- Awardees of the following SF Shines programs: 2022, Construction, Design Referral, 2024, Office of Small Business Storefront, Geary Storefront, and Folsom Storefront.
Gather receipts for your project
We will ask you to upload receipts with your application that show the cost of your project.
- For design services, submit an invoice from a licensed architect, graphic designer, or interior designer.
- For equipment, furniture, or construction materials, submit receipts, including model numbers and prices.
- Receipts must be dated July 1st, 2024 to present.
- The final invoice should read "paid in full" or have a zero balance.
- See example of an eligible paid invoice here.
NOTE: We reserve the right to request further proof of services or purchased materials, including photos, bank statements, or canceled checks.
NOTE: If you paid in cash, we will follow up for further proof of purchases. We reserve the right to limit cash reimbursements.
NOTE: If you qualify for hardship, please see section below.
Hardship Eligibility
Eligible businesses must qualify as low-income or below. Use your most recent tax return.
If you qualify, you can submit cost estimates instead of paid invoices. We will pay you 50% of your grant amount up-front and the other 50% after you submit paid invoices.
See example of an eligible unpaid estimate here.
NOTE: The final paid receipts must reflect the approved application estimates in items and dollar amounts.
Gather information about your household and business
We will ask you for:
- Business information, including:
- Business Account Number (BAN) (If you don't know it, you can look it up.)
- Your gross revenue from your most recent tax return
- Number of full-time and part-time employees
- Household information
- Income
- Demographics
- Receipts
- Proof of payment
NOTE: You must complete the application in a single session, so be prepared with all documents before you begin.
Apply for SF Shines interior improvement
Looking for application assistance? Contact one of our community partners.
We have received 360 applications and will no longer be accepting applications.
What to expect after you apply
We will email you a confirmation that your application was submitted with a copy of your responses.
Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Funding will be determined at the City’s sole discretion.
All applicants will receive either an award or disqualification email within 15 days.
Once your application is approved, the award amount will be final, and you cannot submit additional receipts.
If awarded, your grant will be dispersed via direct deposit once all required steps are completed.
If you have questions, please email sfshines@sfgov.org with a detailed message and include your business name in the subject line.
What to know
About the program
The program provides funds to help businesses with interior improvements and equipment purchases.
Eligible purchases
- Professional design services
- Equipment
- Fixtures and Furniture
- Construction materials
NOTE: All invoices must be itemized to separate labor and materials.
Not eligible
- Onsite construction/repair/installation labor
- Items unrelated to business operations
- Consumable goods, merchandise to be sold
- Bills
- Security cameras
- Payroll costs, rent, and/or utilities
- Shared Spaces-related expenses
- ADA-related expenses
- Permit fees
Timeline
Due to the high volume of applications received, we will close the application portal once we reach 360 applications. We have reached 360 applications and will not be accepting any more.
Ensure a complete application that meets all eligibility requirements to prevent disqualification.
We review applications within 15 days.
Approved applicants will receive grant funds within 30 days of applying if you've submitted all your financial documents and completed all required steps for direct deposit.
NOTE: You will not be eligible if you received an SF Shines grant on or after July 1st, 2022.
What to do
Check if your business is eligible
Your business must have:
One or more of the following:
- An owner from a low-moderate income household
- A storefront located in a low-moderate area
- A storefront within designated downtown areas
Additional eligibility criteria:
- A street-level storefront
- 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
- Not received funding from any SF Shines Grant program on or after July 1st, 2022
- Proof of cost of project, including model numbers and prices
Ineligible applications include:
- Fixture and equipment purchases related to ADA compliance (To be reimbursed, apply for the ADA Barrier Removal Grant.)
- Shared Spaces projects (Read information about Shared Spaces compliance.)
- Exterior facade projects (SF Shines Facade Program coming soon.)
- Awardees of the following SF Shines programs: 2022, Construction, Design Referral, 2024, Office of Small Business Storefront, Geary Storefront, and Folsom Storefront.
Gather receipts for your project
We will ask you to upload receipts with your application that show the cost of your project.
- For design services, submit an invoice from a licensed architect, graphic designer, or interior designer.
- For equipment, furniture, or construction materials, submit receipts, including model numbers and prices.
- Receipts must be dated July 1st, 2024 to present.
- The final invoice should read "paid in full" or have a zero balance.
- See example of an eligible paid invoice here.
NOTE: We reserve the right to request further proof of services or purchased materials, including photos, bank statements, or canceled checks.
NOTE: If you paid in cash, we will follow up for further proof of purchases. We reserve the right to limit cash reimbursements.
NOTE: If you qualify for hardship, please see section below.
Hardship Eligibility
Eligible businesses must qualify as low-income or below. Use your most recent tax return.
If you qualify, you can submit cost estimates instead of paid invoices. We will pay you 50% of your grant amount up-front and the other 50% after you submit paid invoices.
See example of an eligible unpaid estimate here.
NOTE: The final paid receipts must reflect the approved application estimates in items and dollar amounts.
Gather information about your household and business
We will ask you for:
- Business information, including:
- Business Account Number (BAN) (If you don't know it, you can look it up.)
- Your gross revenue from your most recent tax return
- Number of full-time and part-time employees
- Household information
- Income
- Demographics
- Receipts
- Proof of payment
NOTE: You must complete the application in a single session, so be prepared with all documents before you begin.
Apply for SF Shines interior improvement
Looking for application assistance? Contact one of our community partners.
We have received 360 applications and will no longer be accepting applications.
What to expect after you apply
We will email you a confirmation that your application was submitted with a copy of your responses.
Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Funding will be determined at the City’s sole discretion.
All applicants will receive either an award or disqualification email within 15 days.
Once your application is approved, the award amount will be final, and you cannot submit additional receipts.
If awarded, your grant will be dispersed via direct deposit once all required steps are completed.
If you have questions, please email sfshines@sfgov.org with a detailed message and include your business name in the subject line.