Community Challenge Grants

Provides funding to community groups, businesses, schools and nonprofit organizations to make physical improvements to their neighborhoods.

Five Key Eligibility Requirements

1: CCG provides grants to the following types of organizations: 

1. Nonprofit organizations
2. Community or neighborhood groups
3. San Francisco businesses or merchant associations
4. San Francisco based Community Benefit Districts (CBDs)
5. Schools

2: Grantees must meet vendor requirements of the City and County of San Francisco. 
CCG funds are issued to San Francisco vendor approved nonprofit organizations with a 501 (c) 3 status. Local community groups, businesses, or schools performing a community project in their neighborhood must have a nonprofit fiscal sponsor. If your group requires help locating a fiscal sponsor, contact Lanita Henriquez at (415) 554-4830 for assistance.

3: Funded projects require community participation and contributions. 
Groups may apply for funding in one of three levels. Each level the group must provide a match of cash, volunteer labor (valued at $15/hr), donated materials and/or supplies, or services.

Project Size	Small Scale	Mid-Scale	Large Scale
Budget	>$15,000	$15,001 - $40,000	$40,001 - $100,000
Duration/Contract Period	9 Months	12 Months	12 - 18 Months
Required Match	25%	35%	35%

4. Projects must demonstrate minimum requirements, and should:

• Emphasize self-help and involve neighborhood residents in the planning and implementation of the project.
• Have a 5-year maintenance plan detailing ongoing maintenance after project completion. Please identify an individual or entity responsible for maintenance as well as the source of funds to support proposed maintenance plan
• ​Include installation of interpretive signs explaining the function of the project to the public and acknowledging CCG, including the CCG logo. Signs may include other project partners and funders, as desired.
• Costs associated with such signage may be included in your grant request 

Projects also must not:

• Duplicate or replace funding for an existing private or public program
• Duplicate existing maintenance programs
• ​Conflict with existing City policies 

5. If awarded funds, grantees must comply with all CCG requirements, including:

• Enter into a contract with the CCG within three months of selection
• Acquire all necessary City permits, depending upon the type of grant, prior to begin project work
• Submit detailed reports for disbursement of grant funds on a reimbursement basis
• Notify CCG staff of key project milestones and participate in grant administration staff site visits
• File quarterly status reports, project drawings (if applicable), and project completion reports

Please review the full list of eligibility requirements. The information provided above is a summary of select eligibility criteria and is not intended to replace in whole, or part, the requirements of a grantee as detailed in the eligibility requirements and contract agreement. 

Sidewalk gardens funded by the Community Challenge Grant Program

Helpful Reminders

full eligibility requirements

application