San Francisco Seeks Proposals for Neighborhood Beautification Projects through the Community Challenge Grants Program

For photos of recent projects supported by Community Challenge Grants, click here.

For more information, please visit sf.gov/ccg.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA---The Office of the City Administrator today opened applications for the Community Challenge Grants Program (CCG) for Fiscal Year 2027. The CCG program fosters resilience, safety, and belonging in San Francisco by providing City funding for community-led projects that beautify or activate neighborhood public spaces. Projects are designed, led, and implemented by those who live or work in the communities they serve.

Earlier this month, Mayor Lurie and First Lady Becca Prowda hosted One City Day, which saw over 4,000 volunteers across the City engage in a day of community service. The call for proposals for Community Challenge Grants provides another opportunity for residents to strengthen their neighborhoods and beautify San Francisco.

Community organizations such as nonprofits, community benefit districts, neighborhood groups, and businesses are encouraged to apply. Selected applicants will receive grants up to $150,000 for projects in the following program areas:

• Greening & Environmental Stewardship: Projects that improve environmental quality, expand urban greening or urban agriculture, strengthen climate resilience, or support stewardship of natural and landscaped spaces.
• Cleaning & Neighborhood Care: Projects that improve the cleanliness, maintenance, appearance, and ongoing care of public spaces.  
• Public Art & Cultural Expression: Projects that create artistic, cultural, or interpretive features that beautify public spaces, reflect community identity, preserve cultural heritage, and foster neighborhood pride.  
• Community Activation & Events: Projects that bring people together through public programming, cultural activities, events, or shared experiences that include a visible beautification component and encourage community connection, stewardship, and active use of public space.  
• Community Gathering Spaces & Placemaking: Projects that create, improve, or activate publicly accessible spaces that support gathering, connection, and neighborhood use.  
  

"For over 30 years, Community Challenge Grants have put real resources directly into the hands of residents, nonprofits, and small businesses who care deeply about their neighborhoods and our city," said Mayor Daniel Lurie. "From helping to beautify and activate our public parks and spaces to cultural and artistic events that bring our communities together, these investments are helping to keep our city safer, cleaner, and more vibrant for all. We are grateful to all the San Franciscans who bring this work to life through these grants.”  

“Coming off Mayor Lurie and First Lady Becca Prowda’s day of service, One City Day, I know we are all energized by what is possible when people come together to take care of our neighborhoods! Now is our chance to carry forward that momentum with the opening of our call for projects for the Community Challenge Grants Program,” said City Administrator Carmen Chu. “For more than 30 years, the Community Challenge Grants program has shown how government and residents can work together to create lasting change. Every project strengthens community connections and helps make San Francisco a more welcoming, vibrant place to live, and we look forward to seeing your big ideas!”

In addition to awarding project funds, CCG also offers technical assistance and coaching to support awarded grantees to implement their projects and sustain community engagement efforts.

Established by a voter initiative in 1990 as the Neighborhood Beautification and Graffiti Clean-Up Fund, CCG is funded by businesses who elect to send a portion of their Gross Receipts Annual Business Tax to the Community Challenge Grants Fund.

“Last year's record response showed that communities already have ideas to strengthen their neighborhoods; they simply need the resources to bring them to life, said Robynn Takayama, CCG Grant Steward. “This year's program builds on that momentum by responding to applicant feedback and investing in community-led solutions that create lasting connections alongside lasting improvements.”  

Current grantees (Fiscal Year 2026) spoke about the impact of CCG on their communities:

“Through the Climate Career Corps, interns don't just maintain and restore green spaces—they develop ownership, environmental stewardship, and civic responsibility. As they improve parks and natural habitats in their own neighborhoods, they see firsthand that their work creates healthier, more welcoming spaces for their families, neighbors, and community,” said Carlos Solis, CEO of Enterprise for Youth. “The Community Challenge Grant makes this possible by giving young people the opportunity to build job skills while becoming leaders and caretakers of the places they call home.” 

“Thanks to grant funding from Community Challenge Grants, we now have the resources to transform the Folsom Street Mural Corridor into a new artistic destination—where vibrant murals celebrate local stories, draw visitors back to support neighborhood businesses, and create sustained economic and cultural momentum, said Chine Emeahara, Marketing & Events Manager for SOMA West Community Benefit District. “This is more than beautification; it’s a bold, community-driven investment in SOMA’s future—restoring and polishing our public realm with streets that feel safer, cleaner, and more welcoming.”

“Lovers Lane SF was created to provide a place in which people can connect, create and build community together. Volunteer coordinators have worked hard for the past five years to curate a project that provides participants and attendees from all backgrounds a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to express their love for the community, said Nataly Ortiz, Deputy Director and Project Manager of Lovers Lane SF. “The Community Challenge Grant supports us in providing community with tools and resources needed to build community, co-produce an event that centers love. We believe community is built through safety, empowerment, inclusivity, cooperation, and collective care.” 

Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to start their applications early. Applications are due on October 20, 2026. To apply:

• Visit sf.gov/ccg to download the application and learn more about the program, including optional information sessions and application workshops hosted by CCG.
• Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or apply with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor.