SF Rolls Out $6.3M in Small Business Grants

This latest round of funding is a key part of Mayor Daniel Lurie's broader economic recovery strategy, aimed at tackling the persistent issue of retail vacancy. The city's overall retail vacancy rate saw a welcome dip to 6.7% in the last quarter of 2025, a first in two years, but specific areas like Mid-Market continue to face a slower recovery in foot traffic. The $6.3 million is divided into two distinct programs. The Storefront Opportunity Grant, with a $3.3 million allocation, offers between $50,000 and $100,000 to entrepreneurs opening shops in designated high-vacancy neighborhoods including the Bayview, Chinatown, Downtown, the Mission, and the Western Addition/Fillmore. The SF Shines Equipment Grant has a $2 million budget and is expected to assist approximately 200 businesses city-wide with grants of up to $10,000 for equipment upgrades. Funding tiers for the Storefront Opportunity Grant are tailored to the business type to better address startup costs. Retail and personal service businesses are eligible for $50,000, cafes and limited-seating food establishments can receive $75,000, and full-service restaurants, bars, and other key neighborhood amenities like grocery stores may be awarded up to $100,000. To ensure the funds reach businesses most in need, 70% of the SF Shines Equipment Grants are earmarked for businesses located in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. This program is designed to help with a range of needs, from scaling up operations to fixing broken equipment or resolving compliance issues. This initiative follows the successful "Vacant to Vibrant" program, which has already activated 25 empty storefronts since its launch. That program saw a high rate of participants signing long-term leases, indicating that such strategic investments can lead to sustainable business growth and neighborhood revitalization. Beyond the grant money, the city's Office of Economic and Workforce Development provides additional support. Entrepreneurs can access pro-bono business counseling services, as well as assistance with navigating the city's permitting and leasing processes. The grant program is a core element of Mayor Lurie's "Heart of the City" plan. This larger initiative is also focused on improving public safety and activating public spaces to draw more people downtown. Early indicators of this broader strategy show a more than 40% drop in crime in Union Square and the Financial District, coupled with an increase in office leasing.