SF Announces $6.3M in Small Business Grants

- The funding is administered by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) and is divided among three distinct programs aimed at different stages of business needs. - A total of $2 million is allocated for the SF Shines Equipment Grant, which will provide up to $10,000 for purchasing equipment to help businesses start, expand, or fix broken items. This program is expected to support approximately 200 businesses, with applications closing on March 6. - The Storefront Opportunity Grant has been earmarked for $3.3 million to assist entrepreneurs in opening new storefronts in neighborhoods with high vacancy rates. Grant amounts for this program range from $50,000 to $100,000, depending on the type of business. - To address unexpected damages, $1.2 million is designated for the Vandalism and Fire Relief Grants. The Vandalism Relief Grant offers up to $2,000 to repair damages, and businesses can apply for this up to three times a year for incidents that occurred on or after January 1, 2025. - The Fire Disaster Relief Grant provides up to $10,000 for businesses significantly damaged in a fire for which they were not at fault. - These grants are part of a broader city strategy to revitalize commercial corridors, which includes programs like "Vacant to Vibrant," aimed at activating empty storefronts with pop-ups and new businesses. - To qualify for the SF Shines Equipment Grant, a business must have a street-facing storefront, generate less than $5 million in gross revenue, and have fewer than 100 employees. Seventy percent of these grants will be prioritized for businesses in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. - The Storefront Opportunity Grant has multiple application rounds targeting different neighborhoods; one recent round focused on the Excelsior, Tenderloin, and Visitacion Valley for businesses that do not yet have a lease.