Sign up for emails from the Office of Small Business to get updates on grant programs.
New and upcoming
Now live: Vacant to Vibrant
Participating entrepreneurs receive grants and technical assistance such as lease negotiations, permit support, insurance, and marketing. Vacant to Vibrant storefronts will begin to open on Powell Street and across Downtown on a rolling basis starting in early 2025.
Learn more about Vacant to Vibrant, then apply here.
Upcoming in November: Downtown SF Vibrancy Loan & Grant Fund
A new $3.6 million loan and grant program will assist small business with filling vacant storefronts Downtown. These loans will provide capital to underserved markets for those who experience barriers to accessing traditional banking services. Loan amounts will be up to $100,000 with a 4% interest rate for qualifying businesses. In addition, those who qualify for the loan will also receive a grant of $25,000 from the City to support their launch. In partnership with Main Street Launch.
Applications re-open in December & January: SF Shines
Improve your business storefront or interior space with a SF Shines grant. Applications will open in December for for qualifying storefront improvements, with grants up to $10,000. In January, applications will open for qualifying external facade beautification, with grants of up to $20,000.
Sign up for emails from the Office of Small Business to stay informed about this program.
Launching in 2025: Open Downtown Grant
Businesses that fill and open within an existing vacant storefront will be able to apply for a $25,000 grant to support their launch.
Sign up for emails from the Office of Small Business to stay informed about this program.
Storefronts
Improve accessibility with the Accessible Barrier Removal Grant
Get reimbursed up to $10,000 for an accessibility inspection of your small business, or for the purchase and installation of furniture, fixtures, or equipment to make your business more accessible to the public.
Apply for a grant to make your business accessible
Vandalism relief
Get up to $2,000 to repair any vandalism-related damage to your business. The damage must have occurred on or after January 1, 2023.
Businesses can now receive this grant up three times per year, and applications for relief may include past incidents as long as they occurred in the 2024 calendar year.
Apply for the Storefront Vandalism Relief Grant
Fire disaster relief
Learn what resources are available to businesses after a major fire, including a Fire Disaster Relief grant of up to $10,000.
Learn more about the Fire Disaster Relief Fund
Floodwater management
This program is run by SFPUC, for properties that experience flooding from the sewer system or adjacent public right-of-way caused by heavy rains.
Learn more about the Floodwater Management Grant
Businesses over 30 years old
Long-standing small businesses can join the Legacy Business Registry for recognition, marketing and business help, and special grants.
Learn more about the Legacy Business Program
Healthy food
Neighborhood corner stores can apply to become healthy food retailers. If accepted, you may receive funding and support to redesign your store with a focus on healthy foods. Note: this grant is currently closed.
Learn more about Healthy Retail SF
Automatic dishwashing grant
Grants of up to $2,500 toward leasing or buying automatic dishwashers, to help food service businesses build reusable foodware infrastructure for on-site dining.
Find the details about the Automatic Dishwashing Grant
Commercial Washer Rebate
This program from SFPUC provides a rebate of up to $5,000 for the purchase of eligible commercial grade clothes washers in laundromats.
Communities
Community and neighborhood improvement
Find funding for projects that improve neighborhoods. Grantees can be nonprofit organizations; businesses, community groups, and schools that do not have their nonprofit status may apply through a fiscal sponsor that is a nonprofit organization.
Learn more about Community Challenge Grants
Low-income communities
Get help with projects that offer community benefits in low-income neighborhoods.
Learn about the San Francisco Community Investment Fund
Arts
Find funding to support artists, art organizations, parades, and festivals.
Apply for arts funding from Grants for the Arts
Apply for arts funding from the San Francisco Arts Commission