SF Shines Storefront Improvement Grant
San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD)
Up to $10,000
Researched for this program: 4 rejection traps · 4 required documentsWhat decides this award ↓
SF storefront fix-up grant
SF Shines is the City of San Francisco's storefront improvement program, run by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD). It provides grants of up to $10,000 in reimbursement for physical improvements to a small business's storefront — interior and exterior upgrades, equipment, signage, and other work that improves the look and resilience of the space. The program also offers free design services and project management. Launched in 2022, SF Shines is citywide and has awarded several million dollars to hundreds of San Francisco small businesses; the Mayor's budget included roughly $5.9 million to support the program and more than 300 businesses this fiscal year.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Municipal
- Amount range
- Up to $10,000
- Realistic amount
- Most awardees receive up to the $10,000 cap to offset storefront improvement costs. Reported rounds have distributed on the order of $6,000–$10,000 per business (e.g., $350,000+ split across 56 businesses in one announcement), so plan for up to $10,000 in reimbursement against documented costs.
- Deadline
- Between intakes — the SF Shines interior improvement portal closed after reaching its 360-application cap, and the 2026 Equipment Grant round closed March 6, 2026. SF runs a new SF Shines round most years; check sf.gov/sf-shines for the next one.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- California
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Must be a small business operating a storefront in San Francisco
- Both new and existing small businesses are eligible
- Improvements must be physical upgrades to the storefront (interior or exterior)
- Applicant must provide receipts/invoices for completed work (dated July 1, 2024 to present)
- Citywide eligibility — improvements anywhere in San Francisco
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Interior storefront upgrades
- Exterior facade improvements
- Signage and lighting
- Equipment and furniture essential to the storefront
- Construction materials
Ineligible expenses
- General operating expenses unrelated to physical improvements
- Costs documented by receipts dated before July 1, 2024
How to apply
-
1
Confirm eligibility and review the program
Review the SF Shines program on SF.gov to confirm your San Francisco storefront and intended improvements qualify, and decide whether to use the free design and project-management services.
~1 hrs
-
2
Plan the storefront improvements
Identify the interior and/or exterior upgrades, equipment, or signage you want to fund. OEWD can provide no-cost design services to help scope the work.
~3 hrs
-
3
Complete the work and keep receipts
Carry out the improvements and retain itemized receipts including model numbers and prices for equipment, furniture, or construction materials. Receipts must be dated July 1, 2024 to present.
~2 hrs
-
4
Submit the reimbursement application
Apply through SF.gov, uploading receipts and required documentation showing project costs, to request reimbursement of up to $10,000.
~2 hrs
Use OEWD's free design services before you spend — they help you scope improvements that qualify and avoid paying for work that won't be reimbursed. Keep itemized receipts with model numbers and prices; vague receipts are the most common reimbursement snag. Because it's reimbursement-based, you must pay for the work first, so time purchases to the July 1, 2024-onward eligibility window.
Deadline & timing
SF Shines operates on a rolling basis subject to annual City budget allocation. Applications resumed in January 2025. Receipts must be dated July 1, 2024 to present to be reimbursable.
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