Our Programs

SF New Deal strengthens neighborhoods by addressing the urgent needs and operational barriers that make it difficult for under-resourced small businesses to succeed in San Francisco. We design and implement diverse programs utilizing both public and private funding and work in close, collaborative partnership with small businesses, community-based organizations, and City departments. Each of our programs orients into two distinct areas:

Across our operations to date, we have disbursed over $43.7 million to 1,162 local businesses citywide in all 11 districts of San Francisco. Learn more about how funds have been disbursed here.

  • SF New Deal is working to support small businesses with grant funding and technical assistance, to bring their outdoor structures into compliance, and engaging with artists to activate Shared Spaces.

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of San Francisco issued temporary permits allowing businesses to utilize sidewalk and street parking space for outdoor dining, services, and other activities. The City has since opened a pathway for businesses to apply for permits for permanent structures. SF New Deal is supporting businesses navigating the path to compliance.

    Shared Spaces is operated with support from the City of San Francisco’s Shared Spaces Team and supports increasing neighborhood vibrancy.

  • SF New Deal is providing funding, technical assistance and property matchmaking to activate pop-ups in vacant storefronts that support small businesses and artists in San Francisco. The city and our small businesses are recovering slowly post-pandemic and Vacant to Vibrant seeks to reduce ground floor vacancies and activate more vibrant streets and neighborhoods beginning with Downtown.

    Submit a pop-up proposal, learn more about upcoming events, and find out how you can get involved here.

    Vacant to Vibrant is supported by the City of San Francisco’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) and private funding and supports increasing neighborhood vibrancy.

  • Our Family Meals program provides recurring supplemental revenue to small businesses citywide and meal support to low-income families with at least one child under the age of five. Families use our SMS-based ordering system to order and pickup meals from neighborhood restaurants.

    Family Meals program is operated with support from the City of San Francisco’s Human Services Agency and supports small business success.

  • The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) is a refundable payroll tax credit offered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that provides up to $26,000 per employee to employers who retained staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

    SF New Deal, in partnership with Stenson Tamaddon (StenTam), is excited to provide technical assistance and one on one support to small businesses owners to make it easier and affordable to navigate the eligibility and filing process. Through our partnership, SF New Deal will be able to support businesses in preparing filings to the IRS with a 15% filing fee, with no deposit, or minimums.

    This program is supported through charitable donations and private funds and supports small business success.

  • SF New Deal is supporting the growth and stabilization of small businesses by administering grants and providing technical assistance for storefront improvement projects through the SF Shines program.

    In partnership with The City of San Francisco’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), SF Shines aims to bolster the vibrancy of small businesses and the neighborhood corridors they reside in. Small businesses are awarded up to $5,000 in funding for construction projects and equipment purchases to revive storefronts and building signage through the SF Shines program.

    Applications are currently on pause and new applications for the SF Shines program will be accepted in early 2024.