Ready to take your small business to the next level?
Share your vision with us and be part of building a vibrant, new downtown from the ground up.
Application
The application will take up to 60 minutes to complete, and you will need to provide your business plan. You will receive an automatic email confirmation after you submit. *Submission of an application does not guarantee funding.
Review Process
The application review period may take from 30-45 days.
Follow-up
If selected, you will be contacted by our team to schedule an interview.
For those not selected, you will receive an email notification within 30-45 days with additional shared resources.
Activators for the Vacant to Vibrant program are a strong fit if they:
Are a small business owner, artist, or cultural organization who has operated a brick-and-mortar business for 1-2 years; or have demonstrated pop-up experience for the past 3-4 years
Are an active member of the community, with a strong local and/or online presence
Have a clear vision for how your business or creative practice contributes to the downtown landscape
“As a San Francisco native, bringing my brand to Union Square is incredibly meaningful. I’m thrilled to bring fresh energy to Union Square. I hope to inspire people not just with my designs, but with the welcoming and inclusive space we’re creating. Vacant to Vibrant is more than an initiative to support local small businesses like mine; it’s a movement that shows what’s possible when creativity and opportunity collide. This feels like the perfect alignment for my vision and values, and I’m grateful to be part of such a forward-thinking initiative.”
Taylor Jay
Owner, Taylor Jay Collection
It Takes a Village
When it comes to “reimagining downtown,” our approach isn’t prescriptive. Instead we look to the community — its small business owners, artists, entrepreneurs, and property owners — to share their ideas. Then we provide the resources to support them.