With March being Women’s History Month, this month’s newsletter features several resources designed for San Francisco’s many women-owned businesses.
Announcements & Highlights
Read an update on Mayor Breed’s “Roadmap to San Francisco’s Future”
The “Roadmap” is a strategy to support economic opportunity, vibrancy and resilience and reimagine Downtown in the wake of the aftereffects of the COVID pandemic.
In the Roadmap’s first year, the City successfully hit targeted milestones to initiate creative ideas and solutions, including changing laws to help fill vacant office and retail spaces, passing policies and tax reforms to attract and diversify new industries into Downtown, and reworking the City’s Planning and Permitting rules to support businesses both large and small. The city also advanced key initiatives to make San Francisco cleaner, safer and more welcoming, and launched activations and initiatives to make Downtown are more dynamic destination at all hours, every day.
Final lease negotiation webinars for the Storefront Opportunity Grant
This grant program from the Office of Economic and Workforce Development helps business owners find a location, negotiate a commercial lease, and open a new storefront in San Francisco. You must attend a Commercial Lease Negotiation Webinar before applying for the OEWD Storefront Opportunity Grant. Funding for this program is limited. Attending a webinar and applying does not guarantee funding.
Final webinar: Mar 7, 1:00 PM
English with Spanish and Chinese translation services
Deadline to apply: Apr 8, 5:00 PM
Learn more about the Storefront Opportunity Grant
Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Hillary Ronen Join Small Business Community to Announce Extension of San Francisco's First Year Free Program
Proposed legislation will add a third year to the popular program that supports small businesses by waiving most fees when starting or expanding a business.
Get help with hiring
The Office of Economic & Workforce Development’s Employer Services team is your workforce concierge and can assist your business with promoting jobs, finding local candidates, accessing hiring events, and introductions to workforce community partners.
Contact Employer Services at employer.services@sfgov.org and register your business on the City’s job matching resource tool, WorkforceLinkSF.org.
These services are available for bilingual and monolingual employers and employees.
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center’s Contractors Program
If you are a woman or minority owned small construction business, this program provides services including creating bidding infrastructure, administrative support, employee hiring, and specialized financial training.
Get Free Personal Tax Filing Help
San Franciscans who earn under $64,000 can get free tax filing help. This may include individuals filing a Schedule C on their form 1040 for business income. There’s help to apply for tax credits that can add up to as much $9,600. SF Human Services Agency’s nonprofit partners and other free tax preparation locations across San Francisco make it easy to file personal taxes safely and securely for free using online tools or in-person service options. Get more details here, or call 2-1-1.
Office of Small Business in the Community
Let us know if you would like the Office of Small Business to visit your corridor and share resources for small businesses. Please send requests to: sfosb@sfgov.org.
Upcoming
Shared Spaces grant deadline
Apply by Mar 30
Apply for up to $2,500 in grant funding, to bring it up to code or to repair damage from vandalism, graffiti, or car accidents. Newly expanded eligibility includes:
• All permit applicants regardless of when you applied
• All neighborhoods in San Francisco
• Priority will be for applicants grossing less than $2.5 million annually
Apply for Entrepreneurship Accelerator with the Transgender District
Apply by Mar 19
This program is for Transgender and Queer People of Color who aspire to start a business project. The free program will be held virtually this year - a 4 month boot camp beginning in April and ending in August 2024. Participation includes required webinars, information sessions, and mentorship. They also offer free business tax filings, one-on-one coaching, the creation of a full brand suite + website, and a seed grant of $10,000 to kick off each of the cohort's proposals at the end of the program.
IRS starting to collect on Paycheck Protection Program loans of under $100,000
Collection starting on Mar 4, 2024
Borrowers who used PPP funds for eligible expenses can apply for forgiveness. Complete your PPP forgiveness application by March 3, 2024. There is no cost to apply, and it takes most borrowers less than 15 minutes complete the application.
If you are not eligible for forgiveness, contact your PPP lender.
Learn more about PPP loan forgiveness and repayment
Contact the SF Small Business Development Center for one-on-one support.
Legacy Business Spotlight
Heritage Happy Hour at Doc’s Clock
Mar 14, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Heritage Happy Hours offers a casual “no-host” gathering of heritage professionals, young preservationists, aficionados, friends, and Legacy Business cohorts interested in safeguarding San Francisco’s unique architectural and cultural identity.
Doc’s Clock is a bar located in the heart of the Mission. They’ve been open since 1951 and are known for their shuffleboard and iconic neon sign.
Webinars & Events
Mar 8
Business Account Number (BAN) 101 Webinar
In San Francisco, all businesses (even small ones) must register with the City and receive a BAN number. Learn how in this webinar hosted by SF Made.
Mar 12
Funding Options for Women-Owned Businesses
Understand funding options available to women entrepreneurs, how to pitch your idea effectively, and overcome gender biases. Hosted by the SF Public Library.
Mar 14
blossom webcast for women entrepreneurs
This is a new monthly webcast from the SF Community Business Law Center. It is designed for women to imagine, launch, and grow microbusinesses.
Mar 14
Virtual Office Hours for entrepreneurs
Get feedback on your small business ideas from a business advisor. Learn to structure an initial business idea, and start market research. Hosted by the SF Public Library and SF Small Business Development Center.
Mar 20
TikTok for Non TikTokers
The social media platform can be a good place to connect with customers and promote business—if you know where to start. This introductory webinar is hosted by the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center’s Women’s Business Center.
Mar 21
Virtual Legal Clinic
Get free business law advice at the monthly virtual legal clinic from Legal Services for Entrepreneurs. Be sure to register in advance. Please select the 1-hour appointment time you prefer. They will try to accommodate your preferred time slot.
Sign up
Shop Dine SF
A campaign to support businesses in San Francisco. Visit shops, eat at restaurants, and get services and experiences from the small businesses that make San Francisco special.
Visit sf.gov/shopdineSF or follow the campaign on social media to find events and initiatives across San Francisco! Share events supporting businesses and commercial corridors by emailing shopdinesf@sfgov.org.
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