SERVICE

Apply for a grant to help cover Vandalism Damage to your small business storefront

Get reimbursed up to $2,000 for vandalism-related costs

Office of Economic and Workforce Development

What to know

About the program

The program helps small businesses pay for damage caused by vandalism, such as—but not limited to—broken windows, graffiti, or broken locks. Grant recipients are encouraged to reinvest awarded funds into improving storefront safety to help prevent future incidents.

NOTE: Businesses can receive the grant up to three times per year, as long as each approved application is for a different incident on a different date.

NOTE: If your business has not opened yet, you may receive this grant one time before opening. After you open, you may receive up to two more awards in the same year, for a total of three awards per year.

Not eligible expenses

  • Damages that occurred before January 1, 2025
  • Repairs not caused by vandalism
  • Damage to property that is not part of your storefront (such as parklets)
  • Stolen goods
  • Loss of inventory

NOTE: If awarded, resubmissions for the same incident will not be considered.

What to do

1. Check if your business is eligible

Your business must have been damaged on or after January 1st, 2025 AND:

  • Have a commercially-zoned storefront that provides goods and services to the public
  • Have less than $5M in gross revenue on your most recent tax return
  • Provide proof of damage
  • Be in good standing with the California Secretary of State
  • Not have an open Notice of Violation (unless directly related to the vandalism)

Note: No formula retail businesses, except independently owned franchises with less than $5M in gross revenue

2. Gather information about your business

We will ask you for information on the following (no documentation required):

  • Your Business Account Number (BAN). If you don't know it, look up the BAN.
  • Your gross revenue from your most recent tax return
  • Number of full and part-time employees
  • Primary business owner’s household income

3. Complete and sign a W-9

You will be required to upload a W-9 when you apply.

Download a blank W9 form (PDF).

NOTE: You will need your Social Security Number (SSN) or your Employer Identification Number (EIN) that is tied to your business.

4. Gather proof of damage

The Vandalism Relief Grant program offers three funding levels depending on the amount you’ve spent repairing your business:

  • $500 grant – For repair expenses up to $999
  • $1,000 grant – For repair expenses from $1,000 to $1,999
  • $2,000 grant – For repair expenses of $2,000 or more

Documentation Requirements (all tiers)

To qualify for any tier, you must submit:

  1. Receipts for repairs meeting the minimum expense for the grant tier you are applying for ($500, $1,000, or $2,000)
  2. Photos clearly showing the damage and the storefront where it occurred

Optional Supporting Documents (strongly encouraged):

  • Police Report Number (for all property damage except graffiti)
    • You can file a police report with the San Francisco Police Department. The report number will be 9 digits.
  • 311 Service Request Number (graffiti damage only)

Providing these reports helps the City track vandalism, allocate resources, and support future policies.

A receipt is proof that payment has been made. Invoices only show the amount billed and are not accepted unless accompanied by proof of payment.

5. Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Our ability to award a grant depends on your business’s eligibility, your project details, and available funding.

Funds for this program are limited.

The form will take about 15 minutes to fill out. 

Apply

6. What to expect after you apply

  • After you submit your application, you will receive confirmation that it was submitted, along with a copy of your responses.
  • We will email you within 30 days to let you know the status of your application.
  • Once your application is approved, the award amount will be final, and you cannot submit additional receipts.
  • This is a first-come, first-served program based on funding from the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD).
  • Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Funding will be determined at the City’s sole discretion.
  • If you have questions, please email vandalismrelief@sfgov.org with a detailed message and include your business name in the subject line.

Special cases

Supervisorial District 5 and Supervisorial District 7

If your business is in District 5 or District 7, you may be eligible for additional funding from your Supervisor to help cover vandalism repair costs.

  • You may qualify for up to $4,000, depending on your total repair expenses.

To apply, please upload:

Receipts showing your total repair costs:

  • If your repairs cost between $3,000 and $3,999, you may receive up to $3,000.
  • If your repairs cost $4,000 or more, you may receive up to $4,000.

Optional supporting documents (strongly encouraged):

  • A police report number or 311 service request number
  • Photos of the storefront damage

NOTE: A receipt is proof that payment has been made. Invoices only show the amount billed and are not accepted unless accompanied by proof of payment.

NOTE: Special case awards are subject to available funding and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.

Contact us

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