San Francisco Launches $25M Fund to Revitalize Downtown

Mayor-backed coalition aims to fill vacant storefronts and support new business growth.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 1:42pm by

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of premium, polished business objects like a metal desk organizer, a glass paperweight, and a sleek laptop computer arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background using dramatic lighting to represent abstract urban revitalization.A new $25 million fund aims to breathe new life into San Francisco's struggling downtown core by supporting local businesses and filling vacant storefronts.San Francisco Today

A nonprofit organization backed by San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has unveiled a $25 million privately funded initiative to help businesses open and expand in the city's struggling downtown core. The program aims to fill vacant storefronts and support the growth of new enterprises in an area hit hard by the pandemic and economic shifts.

Why it matters

Downtown San Francisco has faced high retail vacancy rates and business closures in recent years, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This new fund represents a concerted effort by city leadership and the private sector to revitalize the urban center and support local entrepreneurship.

The details

The $25 million fund will provide grants, loans, and other financial assistance to help businesses open new locations or expand existing operations in downtown San Francisco. The initiative is being led by a nonprofit organization that Mayor Lurie envisioned, which will work closely with the city government to identify promising investment opportunities and vet applicants.

  • The $25 million fund was unveiled on April 18, 2026.
  • The initiative aims to have the first round of businesses supported and opened by the end of 2026.

The players

Mayor Daniel Lurie

The mayor of San Francisco who envisioned and is backing the new $25 million fund to revitalize the city's downtown.

Downtown San Francisco Revitalization Coalition

The nonprofit organization leading the $25 million initiative to provide grants, loans, and other financial assistance to businesses opening or expanding in downtown San Francisco.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This fund represents a critical investment in the future of our downtown core. We must act boldly to support local businesses and breathe new life into this vital part of our city.”

— Mayor Daniel Lurie

“Our goal is to identify the most promising business opportunities and provide the capital and resources they need to succeed in downtown San Francisco. This is about creating jobs, filling vacant spaces, and restoring the vibrancy of our urban center.”

— Sarah Chen, Executive Director, Downtown San Francisco Revitalization Coalition

What’s next

The coalition plans to begin accepting applications for the first round of funding by the end of 2026, with the goal of having the initial batch of supported businesses open by mid-2027.

The takeaway

This new $25 million fund represents a concerted public-private effort to revitalize downtown San Francisco by supporting the growth of local businesses and filling vacant storefronts. It's a significant investment in the future of the city's urban core.