Overview
The Downtown Business Fund, launched in April 2026, provides move-in grants, access to loans with discounted interest rates, and expert support to businesses along the Powell Street and Moscone Convention Center corridors.
The Downtown Business Fund is the first stop for operators of all sizes looking to open or expand downtown. With a simple application process and engaged network of resource providers, there is no “wrong door” with the Downtown Business Fund. Wherever you find us in your journey downtown, we’re committed to connecting you with the right combination of capital and support.
The fund offers:
- Move-In Grants: Up to $500,000 to cover tenant improvements, equipment, working capital, and launch expenses
- Affordable Capital: $100,000 to $1 million loans with discounted interest rates and flexible terms through our partner banks
- Expert Support: Technical assistance for leasing, permitting, operations, and growth delivered by experienced partners
Our team – a partnership between the DDC and SF New Deal – provides guidance to help businesses navigate public and private programs to secure the right mix of capital and support.
Grant awards range from $100,000 to $500,000 and are calculated based on two parts: a Base Grant (determined by your space’s square footage and lease term, ranging from $50,000–$100,000 each) and a Tenant Improvements Component (a reimbursement of up to 50% of total qualifying tenant improvement costs, capped at $400,000).
For Businesses
Capital, support, and connections to launch or expand your business in downtown San Francisco
For Landlords
Access a pipeline of qualified, capital-ready tenants committed to downtown
Criteria
The Downtown Business Fund seeks to support:
- Established, credible operators of all sizes with strong business plans and proven experience
- Experience-driven and tourism-oriented businesses that activate street life
- Anchor businesses that will drive further investment and foot traffic
- Existing businesses on priority corridors making meaningful investment to drive new audiences, offerings, and communities to downtown
- Our priority areas along the Powell Street Corridor, from Union Square to Market Street, and the Moscone Center Corridor along Stockton and 4th streets.
Partners
SF New Deal strengthens neighborhoods by making it easier for under-resourced small business owners to succeed. Through bold, community-rooted programs, SF New Deal addresses both the urgent and long-term needs of San Francisco’s small businesses and helps to build a more vibrant, equitable, and resilient city.
Citizens is dedicated to helping businesses and communities reach their full potential. Through the Downtown Business Fund, Citizens is making available up to $10M in affordable loans, ranging from $100,000 to $1M, alongside philanthropic support for technical assistance and program administration*.
*All loans are subject to credit approval and program guidelines.
JPMorganChase is committed to strengthening the economic vitality in downtown San Francisco and helping businesses open, expand, and thrive. Chase for Business, the firm’s small business arm, will offer discounted interest rates to customers approved for loans greater than $500,000 up to $1,000,000.* The firm’s Coaching for Impact program provides technical assistance and one-on-one consulting to local entrepreneurs in the Bay Area, in addition to networking opportunities and access to specialists who can deliver ongoing support, banking solutions, and education to help grow their business.
*All loans are subject to credit approval and program guidelines. For new customers, a primary operating account with deposits must be established with JPMorganChase prior to loan funding. Additional terms and conditionals apply. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
Google has called San Francisco home since 2007. During this time, Google has invested deeply in the city, consistently driving job creation across our offices, while helping the local community address their biggest challenges through grants, workforce development and education programs, and various initiatives. Google is proud to support strong public-private partnerships to ensure San Francisco’s downtown continues to evolve as a thriving, vibrant destination for residents, workers, and visitors.
Freshfields is a global firm with over 280 years’ experience of anticipating change, setting new standards and shaping the future of law. In a complex world where new opportunities evolve quickly, we are a trusted, forward-thinking partner who can give clients the edge and help propel their ambitions. At Freshfields we are steadfast champions of our clients—that’s why leading global companies turn to us when it matters most. We are proud to be recognised as a top-tier leader in the practice areas most important to clients around the world today.
At Gensler, the value of our work stems from its positive impact on the human experience. We are a dynamic and collaborative design firm uniting creativity, research, and innovation to solve complex problems for our clients. Our work challenges conventional ideas about architecture and the built environment. We aren’t just designing buildings — we are reimagining cities and places that make a difference in people’s lives. Founded in 1965, Gensler has built a team of 6,000 professionals who partner with clients in over 100 countries each year. Everything we do is guided by our mission: to create a better world through the power of design.
After decades of working with clients in Silicon Valley and San Francisco, Cleary Gottlieb opened its Bay Area offices in 2021 to deepen its presence in one of the world’s most dynamic business hubs. Driven by a deep commitment to good global citizenship, Cleary lawyers dedicate thousands of hours each year to pro bono legal counsel and public service initiatives. Cleary is proud to contribute to San Francisco’s continued growth as a thriving center for innovation, business, and civic engagement.
Interested in learning more?
Submit your application today.
Applications will be evaluated on a rolling monthly basis. Funds are limited, so submit your interest as soon as possible.
