Vacant to Vibrant is a program by SF New Deal and the City of San Francisco. We help small businesses collaborate with local property owners to create engaging pop-up experiences and community spaces in downtown San Francisco.

For all pop-up applicants, please apply here. If you are a property owner interested in hosting a pop-up, please apply here.

SF New Deal will provide activators with grants ranging from $2,000 - $10,000, as well as technical assistance in navigating pop-up ideation, marketing, permitting, compliance, and operations.

SF New Deal will provide participating property owners with resources to cover tenant improvements and utility expenses valued at up to $5,000.

Vacant to Vibrant is activating pop-ups in downtown San Francisco.

We are accepting applications throughout the year on an ongoing basis. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, typically within 30 to 45 days of submission. If selected to move forward, you will be invited to schedule a final interview with our team.

If accepted into the program, we will begin identifying potential locations that may be a strong fit for your pop up. The matching process can take time and may range from two to six months, depending on property availability.

If accepted, participants will be offered a space for three months, with leases signed by SF New Deal. SF New Deal, in partnership with the San Francisco Office of Small Business, will support activators interested in extending leases in navigating conversations with property owners and brokers, but cannot guarantee a long-term placement.

Not necessarily but it is encouraged! Vacant to Vibrant will provide technical assistance support in a variety of areas to help ensure success, but we are looking for applicants with a certain degree of pop-up readiness and previous experience operating retail, food, or arts spaces/events, in the San Francisco community.

SF New Deal (SFND): SF New Deal is a nonprofit that strengthens neighborhoods by making it easier for under-resourced small business owners to succeed. To learn more about SF New Deal’s activities and impact, please visit sfnewdeal.org

Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD): The Office of Economic and Workforce Development advances equitable and shared prosperity for San Franciscans by growing sustainable jobs, supporting businesses of all sizes, creating great places to live and work, and helping everyone achieve economic self-sufficiency. For more information, please visit www.oewd.org

All applications will go through a review process in which they are scored by an advisory committee made up small business owners, artists and representatives from arts institutions, community based organizations with a presence downtown, and property owners. High-scoring applications will be chosen to advance to the next round where the potential pop-ups will be pitched to various property owners and managers. Those selected by participating property owners will be awarded grants and provided with technical assistance to bring their proposals to life.

We are accepting and reviewing applications from property owners with spaces of all sizes, but are prioritizing spaces that are under 5,000 square feet. We do anticipate that there will be a need for larger spaces on a case by case basis.

If selected, SF New Deal will provide you with a dedicated project manager to oversee the pop-up permitting process and liaise with the property owner/manager. SF New Deal will be a resource to help streamline the process from your approval to the eventual pop-up opening.

Our team is working hard to support the small businesses and vibrancy efforts along Powell Street in Union Square. If you're a property owner or community partner interested in connecting, you can complete our interest form here. If you're interested in opening a storefront, you can complete our general application. If you have questions, or are interested in sponsorship opportunities, you can always send us a note at vibrantsf@sfnewdeal.org.

If you are a property owner interested in hosting a pop-up, please fill out our property application.

We’re happy to answer any questions you might have about Vacant to Vibrant. You can send us an email at vibrantsf@sfnewdeal.org, or give us a call at 415-480-1185.