Help shape the future of Community Challenge Grants

Public feedback on proposed changes (Updated July 7, 2025)

Introduction

The Community Challenge Grants (CCG) program was created by the Neighborhood Beautification and Graffiti Abatement Clean-up Fund legislation in 1990 when voters passed Proposition D. This legislation: 

• Establishes the funding for CCG,
• Describes the intent of the program, 
• Names specific preferences for funded programs (youth programs and innovation, projects that are neighborhood generated, and projects designed to benefit areas of San Francisco that are economically disadvantaged), 
• Outlines the City Administrator’s responsibility to develop rules and regulations and describes how to revise them.

While the legislation that established CCG can only be changed by voter approval, City rules and regulations describe how to implement the legislation and CCG’s rules and regulations may be revised with approval of the Board of Supervisors. 

As part of our ongoing commitment to improve CCG, our team is working to update the City’s rules and regulations governing the program.

On June 24, 2025, the Board of Supervisors approved legislation updating CCG’s rules and regulations to align with current grantmaking practices.

This additional proposed update would improve oversight by clarifying eligibility requirements and ensuring applicants are equipped to manage public funds and deliver impactful projects.

Public Feedback

Below, you can view the proposed updates to the rules and regulations (via strike through text). We would appreciate your feedback during this 30-day notice period. You can make comment emailing ccg@sfgov.org , now through August 6, 2025.

The proposed changes below offer administrative changes to the rules and regulations governing the program and are not programmatic in nature. 

We look forward to receiving your feedback.

Proposed Changes to Rules & Regulations

Legend

Italicized, underline texts note proposed deletions. Bold texts note proposed changes or additions. Normal texts with no special formatting will not be changed.

CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION AND GRAFFITI CLEAN-UP FUND

These Rules and Regulations are promulgated in accordance with San Francisco Administrative Code Section 10.100-114.

PROGRAM REGULATIONS

ELIGIBILITY TO RECEIVE A GRANT

1. An applicant must meet the following tests:

• be at the time of application a non-profit organization organized under the Internal Revenue Code Section 50l(c)(3), or
• be an entity or group of individuals agreeing to use a fiscal agent which is a non-profit organization as described above.

1. The applicant must demonstrate organizational stability as evidenced by: (a) substantive past performance in the proposed or a similar activity, and (b) two (2) years of operations prior to applying for the grant, or equivalent evidence of organizational capacity and readiness to manage grant funds and complete the proposed project as defined by the CCG administrating staff. If unable to do so, the applicant must use a fiscal agent meeting these qualifications.
   

PROJECTS QUALIFIED/NOT QUALIFIED

1. Projects qualified for a grant must be performed in San Francisco.

PREFERENCE FOR PROJECTS

1. The following projects will be given preference:
2. Youth programs: projects that involve youths in the execution of the project.
3. Innovation projects: projects that propose an innovative and feasible approach to neighborhood beautification or graffiti clean-up.
4. Neighborhood generated: projects developed and proposed by neighborhood or local business organizations.
5. Benefit areas of San Francisco that are economically disadvantaged.

PRIVATE PROPERTY

1. Neighborhood beautification projects may be performed on private property provided that the project promotes a substantial public benefit, and the benefit to the private property owner is only incidental.
2. Graffiti clean-up projects may be performed on private property only if the project meets the criteria set forth in 5 above and if it is in conjunction with a broader neighborhood beautification program.
3. Public property is defined as property owned by the United States government, the State of California, the City and County of San Francisco, or any other local governmental agency within the corporate limits of the City and County of San Francisco.

PERMITS/PERMISSIONS

1. Grantees are responsible for securing all necessary permits and permission to accomplish the purpose of the grant.

APPLICATION/GUIDELINES PROCEDURES

1. The Chief Administrative Officer shall develop and make available to the public application forms, procedures, and grant guidelines which are consistent with these regulations.